Hurricane disaster planning with aging parents should start now, before the storm: 5 tips

As climate-related disasters grow more frequent and intense, one group remains dangerously underprepared: older adults. Planning should involve the entire family.

Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, Clinical Assistant Professor of Education, Health and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota • conversation
May 15, 2025 • ~7 min

Unprecedented cuts to the National Science Foundation endanger research that improves economic growth, national security and your life

The Trump administrations has canceled more than 1,400 federal grants that support engineering, biology, geology, computer science, STEM education and much more.

Paul Bierman, Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Vermont • conversation
May 15, 2025 • ~10 min

As US ramps up fossil fuels, communities will have to adapt to the consequences − yet climate adaptation funding is on the chopping block

The administration wants to cut funding for programs that help communities adapt to wildfire risk, sea-level rise and invasive species, among many other risks.

Meade Krosby, Senior Scientist for the Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington • conversation
May 12, 2025 • ~9 min

Hurricane forecasts are more accurate than ever – NOAA funding cuts could change that, with a busy storm season coming

A meteorologist explains three essential components of NOAA hurricane data collection that forecasters everywhere rely on yet are being targeted for federal cuts.

Chris Vagasky, Meteorologist and Research Program Manager, University of Wisconsin-Madison • conversation
May 5, 2025 • ~10 min

Worsening allergies aren’t your imagination − windy days create the perfect pollen storm

From sending more pollen airborne to breaking up pollen grains, which lets them penetrate deeper into your lungs, the wind is not the allergy sufferer’s friend.

Christine Cairns Fortuin, Assistant Professor of Forestry, Mississippi State University • conversation
May 5, 2025 • ~6 min

What is a downburst? These winds can be as destructive as tornadoes − we recreate them to test building designs

Engineers use giant fans in the Wall of Wind test facility to study the destructive ways these powerful winds can interact with tall buildings.

Omar Metwally, Graduate Research Assistant, Extreme Events Institute, Florida International University • conversation
April 30, 2025 • ~9 min

Two key ingredients cause extreme storms with destructive flooding – why these downpours are happening more often

Rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme downpours, as a climate scientist explains.

Shuang-Ye Wu, Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton • conversation
April 8, 2025 • ~6 min

Why some storms brew up to extreme dimensions in the middle of America – and why it’s happening more often

Rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme downpours, as a climate scientist explains.

Shuang-Ye Wu, Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton • conversation
April 8, 2025 • ~6 min

What causes the powerful winds that fuel dust storms, wildfires and blizzards? A weather scientist explains

One long line of powerful winds can whip up dust storms, spread wildfires, spin up tornadoes and fuel blizzards – all at the same time across different states.

Chris Nowotarski, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science, Texas A&M University • conversation
March 20, 2025 • ~8 min

The world regulated sulfur in ship fuels − and the lightning stopped

An unplanned experiment takes scientists closer to solving a long-standing mystery: To what extent, if any, have human-created emissions influenced thunderstorms?

Chris Wright, Fellow in Atmospheric Science, Program on Climate Change, University of Washington • conversation
March 11, 2025 • ~8 min

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