H2ORadio

A Different Kind of Powerball. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The Trump administration wants to remove limits on dangerous “forever chemicals” in drinking water. How putting concrete balls at the bottom of the ocean could store electricity. A gel that releases some of coral larvae's favorite “scents” may help restore reefs. Fingers wrinkle the same way every time they're in water—and that might help solve crimes.

Putting This Weed on Your Plate Could Protect the Ocean. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: What are Pope Leo XIV's views on climate and the environment? (And, why you should care.) There is shortage of omega-3, which is vital for human health—and climate change is making it worse.

Trees Know an Eclipse Is Coming Before it Starts. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report Headlines: The National Climate Assessment is required by law every four years. Trump just dismissed 400 of its scientists. Trump wants to expedite seabed mining of cobalt and nickel even though EV manufacturers are shifting away from using the minerals. Sanitary pads are 90 percent plastic. Now, researchers have developed ones made from cornstarch. A new study found that older trees school younger ones about what to expect in a solar eclipse.

It's been nearly 100 days since the Trump administration took office and there has been much troubling news around water, climate, and the environment. But there have also been many positive news stories. Listen to some segments from our newscast that we think stood out.

Could Climate Change Make Rice Unhealthy? Headlines: Trump's tariff wars are likely to speed up seabed mining, which could endanger marine habitats. The Trump administration has halted a massive offshore wind project that would have powered 500,000 homes. Climate change could make rice toxic. Sh*t happens—and it's being used to break down plastic.

Nations Agree to First-Ever Global Fee on Greenhouse Gases. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: President Trump has sicced the Department of Justice on states trying to combat climate change. The Trump administration wants NOAA to shift from conservation and restoration work toward unleashing American fossil fuel production. A new agreement marks the first time a global industry will pay a price on its climate pollution. Why you should love these picnic pests.

You may think there are few areas of cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico right now, given the current climate of tariffs and deportations. However, through the charm of insect ambassadors, the two countries are collaborating to protect nature.

Making Acid Rain Great Again? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: A company was secretly discussing a plan with the Trump administration to start seabed mining in the Pacific and circumvent a UN treaty. There's a push in the U.S. to go nuclear. Trump's EPA could allow acid rain to reign again. Shocker. This tree benefits by getting struck by lightning.

Bursting a Weather Forecaster's Balloon. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: DOGE cuts will mean fewer weather balloons, which provide information for forecasters that cannot be obtained any other way. The Trump administration has rejected a request made by Mexico for water from the Colorado River to help the city of Tijuana. March 21 was the first World Day for Glaciers—many of which will not survive the 21st century, new research warns. This "retirement home" for penguins includes physical therapy, treatment for cataracts, and even acupuncture.

Why Climate Change Means Fewer Satellites. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Trump's Environmental Protection Agency announced it will undo 31 landmark regulations meant to protect clean air and water. The Supreme Court rejected a Republican-led effort to halt climate change lawsuits. Climate change will reduce the available space in Earth's atmosphere to launch satellites. All's fair in love and war? Male octopuses paralyze females during sex to avoid being eaten.

No NOAA, No Safety? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Fears have been raised about how NOAA staff cuts by the Trump administration could affect air traffic safety. Progress was made at the COP16 biodiversity meeting last week toward its goal to stem extinction and environmental degradation. Researchers have identified a drink that can help you get the lead out. If you can't beat ‘em—eat ‘em.

Greenland's Most Valuable Resource Isn't Its Minerals. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: In his first 30 days in office, Trump has upended environmental and climate policies and fired personnel at the EPA, Energy Department, and Department of the Interior. Trump wants to exploit Greenland for its minerals and fossil fuels, but global warming has made extracting those resources difficult. Europe wants to deploy wind power to reach net zero by 2050, but new research shows wind speeds are decreasing because of climate change. A proposed Czech dam was stalled by government dawdling, so eager beavers built it for them—for free.

Weather Forecasting Could Become an Unsafe Free-for-All. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The Trump administration appears to be dismantling NOAA, following the blueprint outlined in Project 2025. Elon Musk moves to shutter the agency that was investigating him.

Trump responds to the L.A. wildfires with false claims and actions that dismayed state officials and experts. A deep dive into DeepSeek—could the new AI tool be better for the environment?

Why Leaving the Paris Agreement May not Be a Bad Thing. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Without any evidence, Trump declared an energy emergency to fast track fossil fuel development. How the absence of the U.S. at the COP climate talks could keep things moving forward. Ash from the L.A. fires spread 100 miles out to sea, exposing marine life to the toxic particles. How oyster “blood” could help fight superbugs.

How Trump Could Slow the L.A. Recovery. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Some of the “second responders” who will be crucial to rebuild L.A. could be deported. The U.S. Supreme Court says climate change lawsuits can proceed against oil giants. A new study says that putting solar panels on reservoirs in the U.S. could generate enough energy to power 100 million homes a year. Drought makes mosquitoes thirsty for your blood.

The Whiplash That Led to Disaster—A Special Edition on the California Fires

The Legacy of the First Green President. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Jimmy Carter, the president who tried to save the Earth. Biden seeks to cement his green legacy by blocking future oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. According to a new study, enjoying a cup of tea could mean taking in billions of pieces of microplastics with every sip. Move over pumpkin spice. Pistachio could soon be all the rage in lattes—and water conservation.

Drought Talks Dry Up. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The Biden administration has been moving quickly to Trump-proof environmental and climate programs. Efforts to combat drought both globally and in the U.S. West went nowhere. Putting the wrong tree in the wrong place could make global warming worse. When plants cry, insects say goodbye.

Car Paint That Packs a Charge. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: David and Goliath—small island nations sue large developed countries for damages. Climate records were broken last year because a certain type of cloud has gone missing. Last week's tsunami warning on the west coast was canceled, and although the chance of one occurring is low—it's far from impossible. Solar paint by Mercedes-Benz could make plugging in an EV a thing of the past.

Giving AI the Side-Eye. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia were called the “Low Ambition Coalition” for slow-walking efforts to clean up plastics. AI is criticized for using vast quantities of water and energy, and a new study shows it will also create massive amounts of electronic waste. Songbirds are divorcing as extreme weather pushes couples past the breaking point. A dog in the UK has learned how to bark up the right tree to tackle disease.

Researchers have identified a previously unknown compound in drinking water, a power generation method that could unleash a tsunami of renewable energy, and an Oxford researcher has identified which creature will rule the world after we're gone.

This Week in Water for November 17, 2024 by H2ORadio

Could China Now Become a Green Superpower? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: How China could take advantage of Trump's win and leave the U.S. even further behind on renewable energy. Biden's progress on water regulations will likely dry up under Trump. Why—even with more precipitation—droughts will last longer and cover wider areas. How gophers brought Mount St. Helens back to life—in one day.

Ratting Out Traffickers. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Climate change might have ratcheted up the gota fría that produced extreme rainfall in the region around Valencia, Spain. Plastic on beaches can now be seen from space. Poison…or panacea? How a tiny aquatic fern could feed the world. They have names like Attenborough, Teddy, and Thoreau—and like their namesakes, they are conservationists—only with tails.

Could This Group of Voters Decide the Election? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Countries could come close to meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement—unfortunately they are not following through on pledges. Earth's water cycle is out of balance for the first time in human history. Dolphin breath contains microplastics. Could climate change change the outcome of the election?

We depend on the web for nearly every aspect of our daily lives but is this vital infrastructure secure from hackers or bad actors? That answer rests on the bottom of the ocean—or on university job boards.

Your Toothbrush Is a Laboratory. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Despite devastating wildfires and hurricanes, people are moving to areas prone to climate disasters. A new national marine sanctuary has been designated off the California coast—and is the first nominated by a tribe. It's been dubbed a “floating megabomb,” and some are speculating it's a Trojan horse. The next breakout antibiotic might be a virus living on your toothbrush.

Is It Fluoride's Last Ride? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Climate change may have caused 50 percent more rain to fall over parts of Georgia and the Carolinas during Hurricane Helene. Californians will soon be able to recycle their clothes instead of sending them to landfills. Fluoride in drinking water may no longer be as effective as it once was, researchers say. Want to protect your kids' eyesight? Tell them to go outside and play.

A “Silver Tsunami” Is Hitting the Water Industry. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: A new report out last week diagnoses planet Earth as being in critical condition. The EPA says a “silver tsunami” is hitting water utilities as experienced workers retire at an escalating rate. If an island nation is swallowed by the sea because of global warming, is it still a country? Technically, no, but that could change. For mosquitoes, CBD could be a total downer.

What Caused a 650-Foot Tsunami? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: For one year, scientists had been perplexed by a “USO,” but now that mystery has been solved. Summer storms in cities are more intense and frequent than in rural areas—and now we know why. There's growing concern about a chemical you've probably never heard of and it's found almost everywhere. Researchers have identified a potential new cosmetic ingredient that could reduce wrinkles and age spots—fish guts.

It's nearly fall and time to reflect on the year so far, which included many positive news stories about water, climate, and the environment. Listen back to segments from our newscast that we think stood out.

New Antibiotics Could Come from the Arctic. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The largest dam removal project in U.S. history is allowing a river to run free for the first time in more than a century. Researchers are using bacteria “spit” to recycle rare earth metals from old batteries and electronics. The crisis of antibiotic resistant bacteria could be remedied in the Arctic. Scientists traveling in a “flying go-kart” guide lost birds to their winter feeding grounds.

Did Climate Change Sink a Superyacht? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Did climate change sink a yacht off Sicily? One scientist says warm ocean water is “rocket fuel” for storms that generate waterspouts. U.S. reservoirs are shrinking and becoming less reliable. How to fight coastal erosion and protect beaches? Use electric sand. Your next salsa might taste better because of this sustainability hack.

The Military Defies an Order to Clean Up Groundwater. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The U.S. Air Force is defying an order to clean up groundwater, citing the Supreme Court's overturning of “Chevron deference.” Why isn't Colorado's snowpack ending up in the Colorado River? New research says it might be about what happens in the spring. Researchers are getting the dirt on underground parties, where the noisier it is, the better. Hanging ten? Getting tubed? Scientists are pretty stoked about surfing.

What's the Environmental Record of Tim Walz? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Environmentalists are ecstatic about the choice of Governor Tim Walz to be Kamala Harris's running mate. How a party balloon shut down a water system. A healthy ocean depends on a variety of sharks, but humans are killing many species at unsustainable rates. This bright idea could help meet worldwide energy demands and mitigate the climate crisis.

What's the Climate Record of Kamala Harris? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: More than 350 prominent environmental and climate activists signed a letter endorsing Kamala Harris for president. So, what's her record? Because of water withdrawals and global warming, the Great Salt Lake in Utah is a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions. We expect records to be broken at the Olympics, but shattering old climate numbers are probably not what athletes and fans had in mind. Meet Pestina, the way-too-sexy cartoon insect that got canceled by the USDA in the 1960s. (Maybe the Playboy-style centerfold was a bit much?)

Before Colorado was a state, some people defended their water with guns and dynamite. Now, all it takes is a cellphone.

Meet a Unique Storm Chaser. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: What is the climate record of JD Vance, Trump's choice for VP? This ocean creature can shift an amount of sand equal to the mass of the Great Sphinx of Giza. Climate change is slowing Earth's rotation and making our days longer. This seabird not only flies into hurricanes but also chases them.

A River Sued a City—and Won. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The conservative Heritage Foundation's roadmap called Project 2025 would dismantle rules and offices related to energy and the environment. A court in Ecuador ruled that the rights of a river had been violated by pollution coming from the country's capital city, Quito. A cactus has gone extinct because of sea level rise. The 1965 science fiction novel Dune has inspired a spacesuit that will allow astronauts to convert their pee into water.

In This State, the Kids Are All Right. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Was Hurricane Beryl a freak occurrence or a sign of things to come? Kids in Hawai‘i have prevailed in their climate lawsuit—a first against a state or the federal government. This “miracle tree” is allowing farmers to grow renewable energy. This insect's ability to diagnose wounds and then treat them accordingly rivals human medical systems.

Supreme Court Guts Protecting Air and Water. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The Supreme Court just made it harder for federal agencies like the EPA to safeguard air and water. Protecting around one percent of the planet could avoid a human-caused sixth mass extinction, a new study says. Why are hailstones able to get as big as grapefruits? Not all pollen is the same—so variety is the bee's knees to meeting bees' needs.

The November election is starting to dominate the media, and many pundits as well as social scientists are trying to tease out which issues might sway voters. Will it be democracy, abortion, immigration—or perhaps climate change? Comedians in Boulder, Colorado, hope global warming will be motivating—if they can make people laugh about it.

How Wetland Scientists Made D-Day a Success. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Months before D-Day, British commandos swam to the French coast under the cover of darkness to collect sediment samples. Smoke from wildfires is so pervasive that scientists have introduced the concept of a “lake-smoke day.” Your salad may have a new condiment—road wear particles from tires. How dead people in Spain are supporting renewable energy.

“Day Zero” Approaches in Mexico City. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: As Mexicans went to the polls to elect a new president, one of their top issues was water. To cope with record heat and water shortages in India, some people are turning to ancient methods to stay cool. In a “historic” win for small island nations, an international court has deemed human-caused greenhouse gas emissions a marine pollutant. Boaters better beware if these sea creatures are nearby.

Are Banks Banking on Climate Chaos? That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report about water. Headlines: One major U.S. bank stands to lose billions of dollars if countries take immediate steps to curb greenhouse gas emissions. A major dispute between the U.S. and Mexico is brewing—not over drugs or immigration—but over water. This plant can be used to make a flame-retardant, smoke-suppressing, and water-repellant glass. How to safely kill pests on crops? Stick it to them.

Oil Giants May Have to Pay for Climate Damage. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: Vermont is about to become the first state to enact a law forcing fossil fuel companies to pay for damages caused by climate change. A pesticide banned in 1972 continues to plague the Southern California coast. Why were there so many tornadoes this spring? A new tool can predict how weather will affect pollen concentrations—and how pollen could influence the weather.

Sacking Sackett? Biden Moves to Protect Wetlands. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The outlook for the Colorado River could be better than previously thought. In response to the Supreme Court's Sackett decision, the Biden administration moves to protect wetlands. A new study proves that conservation works—and that we're getting better at it. An orangutan reaches for a natural first aid kit after a brawl.

Good news is sometimes hard to come by, so this week we have assembled a few recent positive stories from H2O Radio that you might have missed. Coral reefs that have been degraded by human activity and climate change can be restored fast—in just four years. How swimming pools could be heated with your data. If extraterrestrials do try to make contact, whales could help us speak their language. Flower power! Scientists find a novel way to clean rivers.

Fool's Gold May Turn Out to Be Golden. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The Biden administration made 13 million acres of wilderness in Alaska off limits to oil drilling and mineral mining. Manufacturers of toxic “forever chemicals” may now be on the hook to clean them up. A lab accident has revealed an amazing superpower of queen bees. The next “gold” rush? Head to oil and gas waste sites.

How Taking a Walk Can Clean Water. That story and more on H2O Radio's weekly news report. Headlines: The EPA has taken its first step to regulate “forever chemicals” in drinking water. “Archaic plumbing” inside the Glen Canyon Dam is aggravating Colorado River Basin woes. An environmental crisis has been averted following the Baltimore bridge collapse...so far. A ten-minute walk could deliver clean water—and faster if you pick up the pace.