Earth Day: 60 Minutes climate stories
On this Earth Day, there’s a lawsuit focused squarely on climate change that’s working its way through the federal court system. It was filed on behalf of a group of kids who are trying to get the courts to block the U.S. government from continuing the support of the fossil fuel industry.
Since the first Earth Day, the planet’s CO2 levels have gone off the rails
When Americans celebrated the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, the planet’s atmosphere was markedly different than it is today. Now, almost five decades later, that number has shot up to around 412 ppm, nearly 90 ppm higher. It’s a change atmospheric researchers, geologists, and climate scientists call unparalleled in at least 800,000 years, though it’s likely carbon dioxide levels haven’t been this high in millions years.
The most effective ways to curb climate change might surprise you
To reduce our impact on the climate and avert disaster, it’s going to take more than switching to high-efficiency light bulbs. But the most effective ways that individuals, policymakers and businesses can reduce our carbon footprint might surprise you.
Ocean circulation likely to blame for severity of 2018 red tide around Florida
2018 was the worst year for red tide in more than a decade. A new study reveals what made it so severe.
Polar Warning: Even Antarctica’s Coldest Region Is Starting to Melt
East Antarctica is the coldest spot on earth, long thought to be untouched by warming. But now the glaciers and ice shelves in this frigid region are showing signs of melting, a development that portends dramatic rises in sea levels this century and beyond.
The young Republicans breaking with their party over climate change
It is becoming harder, however, for Trump to swat away the unfolding crises caused by global warming. American lives are increasingly ravaged by flooding and wildfires. Now, younger Republicans are breaking with Trump in an attempt to haul their party towards scientific reality.
Melting glaciers causing sea levels to rise at ever greater rates
Melting ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic as well as ice melt from glaciers all over the world are causing sea levels to rise. Glaciers alone lost more than 9,000 billion tons of ice since 1961, raising water levels by 27 millimeters, an international research team has now found.
80 Percent of New Arctic Sea Ice Melts Before Leaving Russian Coast
The northern coast of Russia is largely considered the most important spot for the formation of new sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. But scientists have discovered that 80 percent of this new sea ice now melts before it can leave coastal waters, up from 50 percent in 2000.
Marine heat waves threaten the survival of dolphins and other mammals
A marine heat wave in Western Australia that had lasting impacts on dolphin populations may be a disturbing sign of things to come, according to a new study. The researchers have determined that climate change will have more devastating consequences for marine mammals than what was previously realized.