Environment

Hazy Skies and Air Quality Warnings in U.S. Linked to Canadian Wildfires

SMGN Publishing August 4, 2025

Smoke from Canadian fires drifts south, impacting Midwest and Northeast regions Parts of the Midwest and Northeast United States experienced hazy skies and declining air quality over the weekend due to smoke traveling from Canada, where thousands of wildfires are currently active. One of Canada’s worst fire seasons in history

Understanding Tsunamis: Causes and Safety Measures

SMGN Publishing July 31, 2025

How tsunamis originate Tsunamis are natural disasters that, while uncommon, can have severe impacts on coastal populations. They are typically triggered by undersea earthquakes of at least magnitude 6.5 to 7. Not only the strength but also the location of the earthquake determines the risk. Offshore or shallow underwater quakes

Tsunami Waves Reach U.S. West Coast After Major Earthquake in Russia

SMGN Publishing July 30, 2025

8.8-Magnitude Quake Triggers Widespread Alerts A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck the sparsely populated Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia early Wednesday, prompting tsunami alerts across the Pacific. Waves reached parts of Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington. The earthquake caused flooding in ports, damage to structures, and injuries in Russia, though

EPA Proposal Aims to Revoke Key Finding on Greenhouse Gas Regulation

SMGN Publishing July 24, 2025

Agency seeks to reverse 2009 determination underpinning climate policy The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the current administration, has drafted a proposal to revoke the 2009 “endangerment finding,” a regulatory milestone that allowed the agency to address greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. The finding, issued during a

International Court Issues Landmark Opinion on Climate Responsibilities

SMGN Publishing July 23, 2025

Advisory ruling may set legal standards for global climate accountability The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ top judicial body, issued a significant advisory opinion on Wednesday addressing the legal responsibilities of countries in the fight against climate change. Although non-binding, the opinion may influence future legal actions

Red-Legged Frogs Return to California Thanks to AI and Cross-Border Conservation

SMGN Publishing July 21, 2025

A threatened species shows signs of recovery through joint efforts After decades of absence, the California red-legged frog has been heard again in the wild in Southern California. This milestone is the result of a collaborative conservation effort involving habitat restoration, cross-border egg translocation, and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring.

Is Your Child’s Summer Camp Climate-Ready? Key Safety Questions for Parents

SMGN Publishing July 18, 2025

Rising Weather Risks Demand Closer Attention at Camps As extreme weather events become more frequent, many families are reevaluating the safety of sending their children to summer camps. While these experiences offer valuable exposure to nature, they also bring increased risks of heat illness, wildfires, and floods. In the U.S.,

The Squirting Cucumber That Launches Its Seeds With Precision and Power

SMGN Publishing July 17, 2025

A Natural Mechanism for Effective Seed Dispersal Researchers at Kiel University in Germany have been studying a small but remarkable plant known as the squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium). Though toxic and inedible, this plant possesses a fascinating strategy for seed dispersal: it uses internal pressure to eject seeds at high

National Climate Assessment Website Taken Offline Without Explanation

SMGN Publishing July 16, 2025

Key climate resource becomes temporarily inaccessible The official website hosting the most recent edition of the National Climate Assessment has gone offline. This comprehensive report is a critical tool for understanding how climate change is affecting various regions of the United States. It is commonly referenced by educators, planners, farmers,

Flood Risk Rising Across U.S. as Most Homes Lack Insurance

SMGN Publishing July 14, 2025

Only a Small Percentage of Homeowners Are Financially Protected Despite nearly every U.S. county experiencing flooding in recent decades, only 4% of homeowners nationwide have flood insurance. This gap leaves millions exposed to potentially devastating losses, as standard home insurance typically excludes flood damage. While federal disaster aid may provide

More News

$1.7 Billion Powerball Jackpot Builds Momentum as Holiday Drawings Approach

Felipe Cardona December 24, 2025

The $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot has become a dominant topic across the United States as the holiday season intensifies interest in one of the most lucrative lottery runs ever recorded. No jackpot winner emerged from the latest drawing, so the prize has continued its upward climb. It is now positioned

U.S. Bars European Activists Over Alleged Online Censorship Pressure

Sarah Olivella December 24, 2025

The United States government has imposed entry restrictions on five European individuals accused of coordinating efforts to pressure American technology companies into censoring or suppressing U.S.-based political viewpoints. The decision reflects a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy toward confronting what officials describe as extraterritorial attempts to influence protected speech

Climate Change Redefines the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Sarah Olivella December 24, 2025

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season challenged long-standing assumptions about what an active year looks like. While the United States avoided direct landfalls entirely, the season still produced some of the most intense hurricanes ever recorded. Scientists describe the pattern as increasingly representative of how climate change is altering tropical weather