Disasters

"Disaster Misinformation Is Part of the US Political Landscape Now"

"In September 2018, I was in North Carolina riding out Hurricane Florence and reporting on its impacts. For a few days, I embedded with a FEMA rescue team stationed at Hope Mills Recreation Center near Fayetteville, accompanying emergency responders as they evacuated a senior center in the middle of the night and touring flooded neighborhoods by day."

Source: Bloomberg, 10/31/2024

RFK Jr. Said Trump Promised Him Control of Public Health Agencies

"Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told supporters on an online organizing call this week that former President Donald J. Trump had “promised” him “control” of the nation’s public health agencies, should Mr. Trump win the election next week. The Trump campaign, however, would confirm no such commitments."

Source: NYTimes, 10/31/2024

Russia, China and Cuba Are Amplifying Hurricane Misinformation, US Says

"Russian and Chinese-linked influence actors and the Cuban government have been amplifying misinformation following two deadly U.S. hurricanes, including false claims that the U.S. was denying disaster relief claims, a U.S. official said on Monday."

Source: Reuters, 10/30/2024

Artificial Reefs Off NYC Beach Help Sea Creatures -- And Might Save Lives

"Almost nothing stood in the way of the pounding waves that crashed into seaside homes in Staten Island’s Tottenville neighborhood when Superstorm Sandy struck the city 12 years ago.... But after years of work, a system of artificial reefs largely completed this summer could help soften the blow of future hurricanes."

Source: AP, 10/29/2024
October 31, 2024

SciLine Experts on Camera: Environmental Contamination After Hurricanes With Dr. Weihsueh Chiu

Dr. Weihsueh Chiu of Texas A&M will be available from 10 a.m-noon ET for 15-minute 1-on-1 Zoom interviews. He can discuss types of hurrican-damage pollution; how preparations for hurricanes and damage to infrastructure lead to pollution; environmental remediation; and how hurricane-related pollution impacts human health.

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Biden Apologizes For The ‘Sin’ Of A 150-Year Indian Boarding School Policy

"President Joe Biden on Friday formally apologized to Native Americans for the “sin” of a government-run boarding school system that for decades forcibly separated children from their parents, calling it a “blot on American history” in his first presidential visit to Indian Country."

Source: AP, 10/28/2024

How Climate Change Complicates the Refugee Crisis

The displacement of populations by climate impacts, while not a new phenomenon in human history, is worsening in the face of global warming’s extreme weather patterns. Yet the extensive international regime to aid refugees doesn’t cover those migrating due to flooding, drought, natural disasters or climate change. Backgrounder considers the implications and how nations will respond to the new realities.

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New-Look Landslide Risk Database Captures Potential Human Costs

Susceptibility to landslides is more on the minds of environmental reporters, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which caused hundreds of them. To get a better read on local landslide risk for local stories, Reporter’s Toolbox recommends an enhanced resource from the U.S. Geological Survey, which layers the risk data into easily readable map form.

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Researchers In Lab Near Lake Erie Study How Toxic Algae Can Damage Health

"Steven Haller remembers the look of fear on people’s faces when toxic algae in Lake Erie made it into his community’s water supply 10 years ago, shutting it down for two days."

Source: AP, 10/23/2024

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