Articles by Aaron Clark

Extreme Weather in 2024 Forced Biggest Displacement of People in 16 Years

Extreme weather last year including typhoons, heatwaves and flooding led to the biggest displacement of people since 2008, and exacerbated a food crisis in more than a dozen countries, according to a report. Tropical cyclones were responsible for many of …

As Chips Race Spews ‘Forever Chemicals,’ Startups Emerge to Destroy Them

The battle for artificial intelligence supremacy hinges on microchips. But the semiconductor sector that produces them has a dirty secret: It’s a major source of chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems. Global chip sales surged more than 19% …

Methane Emissions Still Rising After Pledges to Curb Pollution

Methane releases from some of the world’s major fossil fuel hubs are continuing to rise, as key polluters make little progress on pledges to curb the potent greenhouse gas. Emissions of the gas across 13 large fossil fuel basins in …

Insurers’ LNG Support at Odds With Their Climate Ambition, Report Says

The underwriting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity in the US by major global insurers is at odds with their climate ambition, according to a report from activist groups including Public Citizen and Rainforest Action Network. Chubb, American International Group …

Earth Keeps Breaking Temperature Records, Underscoring Dangers of Global Warming

Global temperatures have smashed through records this week, underscoring the dangers of ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions generated from burning fossil fuels. The average worldwide temperature reached 17C (63F) on Monday, just above the previous record of 16.9C in August 2016, …

Update: List of Insurers Exiting Climate Group Grows, Including Lloyd’s, Tokio Marine

The list of firms walking out of the Net Zero Insurance Alliance continued to grow this week, adding to an exodus as the industry struggles to navigate anti-ESG attacks led by the Republican Party. The latest round of defections includes …

Here Are 5 Products Offered by Financial Services Providers to De-Risk Heat Waves

Climate change-driven heat waves are impacting everything from nuclear reactors in France to glaciers in Pakistan. As millions of people around the world are forced to cope with more stifling temperatures, some are turning to hacks like air-conditioned clothing. Cities …

Methane-Tracking Satellites Catch Polluters

Think of them as speed cameras, but for methane. Just like roadside instruments used to identify drivers breaking traffic rules, new powerful satellites are starting to catch oil and gas operators releasing the planet-warming gas into the atmosphere. At least …

Exxon Broke Rules With Late Reporting of Methane Leak

Exxon Mobil Corp. failed to initially report a release of the super-potent greenhouse gas methane in the Permian Basin that occurred in early February, violating state rules. The incident at the company’s facility in New Mexico was reported after it …

Mapping US Coastlines May ‘Drive More Equality’ in Climate Adaptation Policy

A Canadian technology company is using aerial imagery to build high-precision maps of US shorelines that will be used to help coastal communities adapt to climate change. By cataloguing which neighborhoods have more impervious surfaces like sidewalks and driveways compared …