Climate and environment updates: Nearly one-third of planet's species risk extinction

Many species are now facing declining populations because of climate change.

Last Updated: December 9, 2024, 5:35 PM EST

The climate crisis is not a distant threat; it's happening right now and affecting what matters most to us. Hurricanes intensified by a warming planet and drought-fueled wildfires are destroying our communities. Rising seas and flooding are swallowing our homes. And record-breaking heat waves are reshaping our way of life.

The good news is we know how to turn the tide and avoid the worst possible outcomes. However, understanding what needs to be done can be confusing due to a constant stream of climate updates, scientific findings, and critical decisions that are shaping our future.

That's why the ABC News Climate and Weather Unit is cutting through the noise by curating what you need to know to keep the people and places you care about safe. We are dedicated to providing clarity amid the chaos, giving you the facts and insights necessary to navigate the climate realities of today -- and tomorrow.

Nov 05, 2024, 3:32 PM EST

Researchers say they've devised the perfect placement for EV chargers

When you buy a gas-powered car, you rarely worry about where to fill it up. That's because gas stations are everywhere. A 2022 McKinsey survey found that more than 40% of prospective electric vehicle (EV) buyers want that same degree of convenience when it comes to public charger availability for EVs.

Engineers at Cornell University say they have devised a solution for where to place EV charging stations so they are convenient for drivers and profitable for companies.

NYCDCAS Electric Car Charging Stations filled with EV cars charging, Worlds Fair Marina parking lot near CitiField Stadium, Queens, New York.
Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Using Bayesian optimization, a mathematical method that efficiently analyzes complex data to achieve these results, the research team discovered that for urban areas that it's best to install an equal percentage of medium-speed and fast chargers. And because motorists use different speed chargers for different reasons, the researchers said it is essential to consider how they are being used when placing them around town.

For example, the engineers found that fast charging is more important at grocery stores when consumers are only inside for 20 minutes. Work and home charging stations should be medium speed because drivers usually park for hours at a time at those locations.

The researchers say their approach can boost investor returns by 50% to 100% compared to random placement strategies.

The team simulated the behavior of 30,000 vehicles over 113,000 trips in the Atlanta region, considering various traffic patterns and driver decisions. This method allowed them to determine optimal charging station placements.

Yeuchen Sophia Liu, the study's lead author, told the Cornell Chronicle that, "Placing publicly available charging stations around cities sounds like a simple thing, but mathematically, it's actually very hard."

She added, "Economically strategic placement of charging stations could play a pivotal role in accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles."

-ABC News Climate Unit's Matthew Glasser

Nov 04, 2024, 1:31 PM EST

Nearly 40% of the world's trees face extinction, according to new assessment

Climate change, deforestation, invasive pests and disease all threaten to permanently wipe out nearly 40% of the earth's trees, according to a new assessment by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The organization, comprised of 1,400 member organizations worldwide and 16,000 experts, said more than one in three tree species across 192 countries is now facing extinction, especially trees found on islands.

PHOTO: More than one third of the planet's tree species are facing extinction. The highest proportion of threatened trees is found on islands.Pictured Trat Province Thailand
.Pictured Trat Province Thailand More than one third of the planet's tree species are facing extinction. The highest proportion of threatened trees is found on islands.
STOCK PHOTO/Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images

The IUCN said island trees are at particular risk because of deforestation for new development and agriculture, as well as the other threats faced by tree species across the globe.

Since 1964, the IUCN has hosted its "Red List," a database of threatened species from around the world. The research group found that 16,425 of the 47,282 tree species on their list are at risk of extinction -- more than 2,000 of which are used for medicines, food, and fuels.

"Trees are essential to support life on Earth through their vital role in ecosystems, and millions of people depend upon them for their lives and livelihoods," said Grethel Aguilar, IUCN director general, in a statement.

According to their analysis, "the number of threatened trees is more than double the number of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians combined."

The group is calling for more habitat protection and restoration to protect these species and the creation of seed banks and botanical gardens to ensure they don't disappear forever.

“The significance of the Global Tree Assessment cannot be overstated, given the importance of trees to ecosystems and people. We hope this frightening statistic of one in three trees facing extinction will incentivize urgent action and be used to inform conservation plans,” said Eimear Nic Lughadha from the Royal Botanic Gardens, in a statement.

-ABC News Climate Unit's Matthew Glasser

Nov 01, 2024, 1:23 PM EDT

Report finds climate change increased heat deaths among older adults by 167%; worsened food security

The health and economic costs of climate change are rising worldwide, according to the newly released 2024 Lancet Countdown, a yearly report hosted by University College London and involving more than 300 researchers.

According to the report, "Of the 15 indicators monitoring climate change-related health hazards, exposures, and impacts, ten reached concerning new records in their most recent year of data."

With global communities facing an additional 50 days of "dangerous heat," heat-related deaths among older adults increased by a record-breaking 167% in 2023 compared to the 1990s, according to the report's findings.

A view shows vehicles passing along the 101 Freeway, Oct. 3, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Apu Gomes/Getty Images

In addition to the heat impact, the Lancet report found that climate change is significantly worsening food insecurity, with 151 million more people facing shortages compared to previous decades. And more than 3 million people died in 2021 because of air pollution and fine particulate matter.

The researchers also found that global extreme weather costs have increased by 23% from 2010-14 to 2019-23, amounting to $227 billion annually.

-ABC News Climate Unit's Kelly Livingston and ABC News Medical Unit's Sony Salzman

Oct 31, 2024, 10:00 AM EDT

Compost your pumpkin and do a gourd thing for the planet

From carving jack-o-lanterns to baking pies, pumpkins are a staple of fall festivities and Halloween. According to the USDA, American farmers produced more than 1.6 billion pounds of pumpkins last year.

But what happens to all those pumpkins after the trick-or-treating and hayrides are done? The ones that aren't turned into food end up at a local landfill and decompose into methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is contributing to climate change.

In the U.S., food is the most common material sent to landfills, making up 24% of municipal solid waste. The EPA estimates that food waste, including pumpkins, is responsible for 58% of fugitive methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills.

In this undated stock photo, a carved pumpkin is seen on the ground.
Adobe Stock

There are alternatives, however, to throwing out your pumpkins and other organic decorations like hay, cornstalks and leaves. But before you get started, make sure these materials are free of paint, coating and any nonorganic compounds. Those should be discarded in the trash.

Composting is an excellent option if your pumpkin doesn't have any of those alterations. This can be done in your backyard or at a local community-based composting program. Just make sure you remove the seeds or your compost could turn into a pumpkin patch. To speed up the composting process, you can break your pumpkin into little pieces before spreading it into your garden. Unlike landfills that trap waste, bacteria in your backyard release very little methane when they break down organic material.

If you don't want to compost it at home, look for local events and nonprofits, like Pumpkins for the People, that collect used pumpkins for farms and community composting. Some zoos and local farms also accept pumpkins and use them to feed their animals.

Besides composting, you can also chop up your pumpkin and leave it out for local wildlife to enjoy. The Nature Conservancy says that many animals, from squirrels to porcupines, enjoy feasting on this fall treat. But you should ask for permission before leaving it at a park or a managed open space like a state or national park, as some discourage this practice.

You could turn your pumpkin into a temporary bird feeder and leave the pumpkin seeds for birds completing their migration journey. You can also plant the pumpkin seeds. According to the National Wildlife Federation, the blooming flowers of the pumpkin plant provide a great source of nectar for certain bee species and insects.

-ABC News meteorologist Dan Peck and ABC News Climate Unit's Matthew Glasser