Rebecca Herscher

Researchers at the University of Maryland track how much forested area is lost each year in tropical areas around the world. In the past, agriculture has been the main reason that tropical forests are destroyed. But in 2024, fires were the leading cause of forest loss. Fires accounted for almost half of all forest destruction last year.

Researchers at the University of Maryland track how much forested area is lost each year in tropical areas around the world. In the past, agriculture has been the main reason that tropical forests are destroyed. But in 2024, fires were the leading cause of forest loss. Fires accounted for almost half of all forest destruction last year.

That includes both wildfires and fires used to intentionally clear forested areas. And the total amount of forest loss last year nearly doubled compared to the year before. Forests are important for many reasons. They provide habitats for animals, clean the air, protect drinking water sources, and trap carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to global warming. Rebecca Herscher, NPR News.

That includes both wildfires and fires used to intentionally clear forested areas. And the total amount of forest loss last year nearly doubled compared to the year before. Forests are important for many reasons. They provide habitats for animals, clean the air, protect drinking water sources, and trap carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to global warming. Rebecca Herscher, NPR News.

Of the five most expensive hurricanes to ever hit the U.S., three of them have happened in the last eight years. That's according to an analysis by the reinsurance company Munich Re. Property insurance companies were on the hook for about half the bill from those storms, the analysis estimates.

Of the five most expensive hurricanes to ever hit the U.S., three of them have happened in the last eight years. That's according to an analysis by the reinsurance company Munich Re. Property insurance companies were on the hook for about half the bill from those storms, the analysis estimates.

Insurance companies rely on their own insurance to cover such losses in the form of what's called reinsurance. Home insurance prices and the price of reinsurance for companies have both skyrocketed in recent years. This is the first week of Atlantic hurricane season. It runs through the end of November. Rebecca Herscher, NPR News.

Insurance companies rely on their own insurance to cover such losses in the form of what's called reinsurance. Home insurance prices and the price of reinsurance for companies have both skyrocketed in recent years. This is the first week of Atlantic hurricane season. It runs through the end of November. Rebecca Herscher, NPR News.

Already, we're seeing that kids are getting information from AI that they believe when it's not true.

Already, we're seeing that kids are getting information from AI that they believe when it's not true.

The National Climate Assessment is required by Congress, and the next one was expected in 2027. The report includes the latest information about sea level rise, changing weather patterns, and other climate change effects. It's written in plain language, so everyone from farmers and fishermen to teachers and judges can use it.

The National Climate Assessment is required by Congress, and the next one was expected in 2027. The report includes the latest information about sea level rise, changing weather patterns, and other climate change effects. It's written in plain language, so everyone from farmers and fishermen to teachers and judges can use it.

A small staff of about 25 people helps coordinate the hundreds of scientists who write the report. Now the federal government has canceled the contract that paid for those staff, according to two government officials with direct knowledge of the cuts. They agreed to speak to NPR on the condition of anonymity because they fear professional retaliation. Rebecca Herscher, NPR News.

A small staff of about 25 people helps coordinate the hundreds of scientists who write the report. Now the federal government has canceled the contract that paid for those staff, according to two government officials with direct knowledge of the cuts. They agreed to speak to NPR on the condition of anonymity because they fear professional retaliation. Rebecca Herscher, NPR News.

Well, yes, it actually has. There have been more tornadoes than average, and that's according to data from the National Weather Service. So usually by this time in May, there have been a little over 600 tornadoes reported in the U.S. But this year, there have been more than 850 tornadoes, so significantly more.

Well, yes, it actually has. There have been more tornadoes than average, and that's according to data from the National Weather Service. So usually by this time in May, there have been a little over 600 tornadoes reported in the U.S. But this year, there have been more than 850 tornadoes, so significantly more.

It's just a bad year. You know, the annual number of storms varies a lot year to year, so it's not surprising to have a really active year or two like this year. I spoke to a tornado expert about this. Her name is Melissa Widhelm, and she helps lead the Midwestern Regional Climate Center at Purdue University.

It's just a bad year. You know, the annual number of storms varies a lot year to year, so it's not surprising to have a really active year or two like this year. I spoke to a tornado expert about this. Her name is Melissa Widhelm, and she helps lead the Midwestern Regional Climate Center at Purdue University.

You know, year after year, that's going back to the 1950s. But here's what is changing. She says big outbreaks of tornadoes, like the ones in Kentucky and Missouri over the weekend, those are getting more common, where lots of storms move over a really large area in a short period of time.

You know, year after year, that's going back to the 1950s. But here's what is changing. She says big outbreaks of tornadoes, like the ones in Kentucky and Missouri over the weekend, those are getting more common, where lots of storms move over a really large area in a short period of time.

Yeah, exactly. And Woodhull says those clusters or outbreaks are a new phenomenon.

Yeah, exactly. And Woodhull says those clusters or outbreaks are a new phenomenon.

Now, she points out that warning people about those big clusters is really labor intensive. You know, it requires a lot of weather forecasters and radar data to track the storms as they move across multiple states, which is notable at a time when the Trump administration is cutting weather forecasting budgets. And there are a lot of vacancies in the National Weather Service.

Now, she points out that warning people about those big clusters is really labor intensive. You know, it requires a lot of weather forecasters and radar data to track the storms as they move across multiple states, which is notable at a time when the Trump administration is cutting weather forecasting budgets. And there are a lot of vacancies in the National Weather Service.

You know, during the outbreak over the weekend, the local weather service office in Jackson, Kentucky, had to borrow forecasters from other offices in the region. because they didn't have enough staff on their own. And that's according to a statement from the National Weather Service.

You know, during the outbreak over the weekend, the local weather service office in Jackson, Kentucky, had to borrow forecasters from other offices in the region. because they didn't have enough staff on their own. And that's according to a statement from the National Weather Service.

I wish I could say yes. But unfortunately, tornadoes are very complex. And this is just one of many unanswered questions about how they're changing, especially as the climate changes. You know, in general, climate change is causing more severe weather. As you said, one of the ingredients for a tornado is moist, warm air.

I wish I could say yes. But unfortunately, tornadoes are very complex. And this is just one of many unanswered questions about how they're changing, especially as the climate changes. You know, in general, climate change is causing more severe weather. As you said, one of the ingredients for a tornado is moist, warm air.

So obviously, as the atmosphere heats up, it makes sense that tornado conditions could show up more. There have been some studies that suggest that there might be more tornadoes in the fall and winter as the Earth heats up, as opposed to now when Most tornadoes happen in the spring and summer, but it's really an area of active research. Rebecca, thanks so much. Thanks.

So obviously, as the atmosphere heats up, it makes sense that tornado conditions could show up more. There have been some studies that suggest that there might be more tornadoes in the fall and winter as the Earth heats up, as opposed to now when Most tornadoes happen in the spring and summer, but it's really an area of active research. Rebecca, thanks so much. Thanks.

That's NPR's Rebecca Herscher.

That's NPR's Rebecca Herscher.

Well, yes, it actually has. There have been more tornadoes than average, and that's according to data from the National Weather Service. So usually by this time in May, there have been a little over 600 tornadoes reported in the U.S. But this year, there have been more than 850 tornadoes, so significantly more.

It's just a bad year. You know, the annual number of storms varies a lot year to year, so it's not surprising to have a really active year or two like this year. I spoke to a tornado expert about this. Her name is Melissa Widhelm, and she helps lead the Midwestern Regional Climate Center at Purdue University.

You know, year after year, that's going back to the 1950s. But here's what is changing. She says big outbreaks of tornadoes, like the ones in Kentucky and Missouri over the weekend, those are getting more common, where lots of storms move over a really large area in a short period of time.

Yeah, exactly. And Woodhull says those clusters or outbreaks are a new phenomenon.

Now, she points out that warning people about those big clusters is really labor intensive. You know, it requires a lot of weather forecasters and radar data to track the storms as they move across multiple states, which is notable at a time when the Trump administration is cutting weather forecasting budgets. And there are a lot of vacancies in the National Weather Service.

You know, during the outbreak over the weekend, the local weather service office in Jackson, Kentucky, had to borrow forecasters from other offices in the region. because they didn't have enough staff on their own. And that's according to a statement from the National Weather Service.

I wish I could say yes. But unfortunately, tornadoes are very complex. And this is just one of many unanswered questions about how they're changing, especially as the climate changes. You know, in general, climate change is causing more severe weather. As you said, one of the ingredients for a tornado is moist, warm air.

So obviously, as the atmosphere heats up, it makes sense that tornado conditions could show up more. There have been some studies that suggest that there might be more tornadoes in the fall and winter as the Earth heats up, as opposed to now when Most tornadoes happen in the spring and summer, but it's really an area of active research. Rebecca, thanks so much. Thanks.

That's NPR's Rebecca Herscher.