fb-pixelClimate - The Boston Globe Skip to main content

Latest climate stories

What it means for the Supreme Court to throw out Chevron decision, undercutting federal regulators

Executive branch agencies will likely have more difficulty regulating the environment, public health, workplace safety, and other issues under a far-reaching decision by the Supreme Court.

Most water draining into rivers isn’t protected by federal pollution laws, UMass study finds

Last year, the Supreme Court dramatically narrowed what bodies of water the EPA can regulate. A new study finds that most rainfall trickling into our nation’s rivers doesn’t meet the definition.

Canada’s 2023 wildfires burned huge chunks of forest, spewing far more heat-trapping gas than planes

The fire spewed nearly four times the carbon emissions as airplanes do in a year, scientists said. It's about the same amount of carbon dioxide that 647 million cars put in the air in a year, based on federal data.

State officials reject environmental impact review of Hanscom Airport expansion

The developers have been asked to submit new information about just how big the expansion’s carbon footprint would be.

A signature Biden law aimed to boost renewable energy. It also helped a solar company reap billions.

Ahead of what's shaping up to be a tight race for the White House this year, Biden and fellow Democrats point to the legislation as an example of investing in alternative energy in ways that'll help the environment and lift the economy.

Featured projects

As Earth’s temperature rises, Massachusetts residents’ sense of urgency on climate change declines

Despite increasingly urgent international warnings, fewer Massachusetts residents see the climate crisis as a very serious concern than they did in 2019, a new poll from MassINC and the Boston Globe shows.
The Lobster Trap: Part 1

The lobster trap

The plentiful catch that brought wealth to fishing families is at risk, as climate change warms the Gulf of Maine. A way of life is on the line, but lobstermen can't, or won't, imagine another.
Climate change on Cape Cod

At the edge of a warming world

The flexed arm of Cape Cod has challenged the power of the sea for centuries, but the contest has escalated. Climate change is altering our vacation paradise in myriad ways, perhaps forever. The message in the sand is clear — if only we will look.

Accountability

INNOVATOR Q&A

Founded by Newport socialite Doris Duke, this organization is keeping history alive while addressing climate change

The Newport Restoration Foundation in Rhode Island is still focused on historic preservation of Colonial homes, but isn’t hiding the effects of climate change on the seaside city.
PODCAST | SAY MORE WITH SHIRLEY LEUNG

As Earth Week ends, here are five takeaways on the climate crisis from Elizabeth Kolbert

In her new book, the New Yorker environmental writer traces the history, present and future of climate change to get people to understand ‘it is coming for everyone.’

Boston’s defenses against rising seas lean on private development. What happens when the money dries up?

Several flood-protection projects like sea walls, berms, and elevated land are tangled up in large developments that now face slowdowns.

Massachusetts toughens rules on air pollution sources in communities of color

Facilities that want to acquire air pollution permits in environmental justice communities will face higher scrutiny from state regulators.

Climate Science

MIT ice flow study takes 'big' step towards understanding sea level rise, scientists say
Two MIT researchers said they have created the first usable model to analyze movements across the Antarctic Ice Sheet, looking at how ice flows in the glacier’s core.

As Earth Week ends, here are five takeaways on the climate crisis from Elizabeth Kolbert

Boston’s defenses against rising seas lean on private development. What happens when the money dries up?

Politics and Policy

‘Why can’t they work together more?’: In Rome, Healey and Wu partner on tackling climate change. At home, not as much.

Outside the speeches and appearances at Vatican City, Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu are two different leaders who have different visions for the best way to tackle climate change.
CHESTO MEANS BUSINESS

On housing and energy, Healey’s big plans collide with local resistance

The governor is facing blowback from town officials on some of her top priorities, which could imperil their progress in the Legislature.
PODCAST | SAY MORE WITH SHIRLEY LEUNG

As Earth Week ends, here are five takeaways on the climate crisis from Elizabeth Kolbert

In her new book, the New Yorker environmental writer traces the history, present and future of climate change to get people to understand ‘it is coming for everyone.’

Climate activists block traffic on Moakley Bridge during Earth Day demonstration

Climate activists blocked traffic heading into South Boston during the Monday evening rush hour as part of an Earth Day demonstration calling on state officials to halt “new fossil fuel infrastructure projects,” according to organizers.

An interactive look into climate change

How Massachusetts feels about climate change in 12 graphics

The percentage of Massachusetts residents who believe climate change is as a very serious concern has decreased since 2019. That’s just one finding from a new poll conducted by MassINC Polling Group for the Boston Globe.

Maps: These parts of Boston, Revere, and Quincy are vulnerable to rising sea levels

One measure of a warming planet and human-caused climate change is rising sea levels, which Massachusetts’ coastal towns are increasingly grappling with.

Boston’s ‘heat islands’ turn lower-income neighborhoods from hot to insufferable

In a recent city report, officials noted that temperatures in leafier neighborhoods are often significantly lower than in more densely populated areas.

Into the Red: How the Globe will cover climate change

To report on the most pressing issue of our time, the Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage.

The Globe's climate team wants to hear from you

Share your thoughts and questions about the impact of climate change in your community.

How-Tos

PODCAST | SAY MORE WITH SHIRLEY LEUNG

As Earth Week ends, here are five takeaways on the climate crisis from Elizabeth Kolbert

How to convert your home into a small power plant, and make your money back doing it

FOOD & DINING NEWSLETTER

Coffee has a serious carbon footprint. One R.I. brand is trying to do things differently.

More Climate stories

MIT ice flow study takes 'big' step towards understanding sea level rise, scientists say

Two MIT researchers said they have created the first usable model to analyze movements across the Antarctic Ice Sheet, looking at how ice flows in the glacier’s core.

High bacteria counts continue to close Mass. beaches. See the list.

The dashboard, which is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. during the beach season, listed 18 of the beaches closed for swimming due to high levels of E. coli.

GE Vernova stands alone. Can Boston’s clean-energy scene grow with it?

While GE Vernova will likely face its share of headwinds amid the stops-and-starts of an evolving clean-energy sector, the spinoff offers an opportunity at redemption.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

As millions sweat out the heat wave, blocks of lake ice keep campers cool in N.H.

On Squam Lake in central New Hampshire, ice blocks about the size of microwaves are packed in sawdust each winter and used in guest cabins at the rustic Rockywold Deephaven Camps

Is your air conditioning working? Thank a solar panel.

The regional power grid has performed well through this week’s record temperatures. It’s been solar’s time to shine.

From saplings, to shade structures, to paint: How communities along the Mystic River try to beat the heat

In the urban core along the Mystic River, community groups are working toward better preparation, and greater awareness, to tackle this problem, especially as heat becomes more frequent in the age of climate change.

WEATHER

At the top of Mount Washington, a new heat record

Known for its extreme cold, even New Hampshire’s highest peak is experiencing record-breaking heat right now

Surviving Boston summer without air conditioning? Growing share of households say no.

A heat wave is baking the region this week, and air conditioning is becoming a necessity.

Opinion

PODCAST | SAY MORE WITH SHIRLEY LEUNG

As Earth Week ends, here are five takeaways on the climate crisis from Elizabeth Kolbert

In her new book, the New Yorker environmental writer traces the history, present and future of climate change to get people to understand ‘it is coming for everyone.’
IDEAS | JENNIFER NASH

A flock of birds gripped my hand — and pulled me back into the fight against climate change

Leila Philip

Let beavers get busy fighting fires — and climate change

Carroll Muffett

The world can’t recycle its way out of the plastics crisis

Michael E. Mann and Wanjira Mathai

UN IPCC report can lead governments to the climate action door, but they must walk through