H2oradio

Climate change could mean less water for Los Angeles, which currently gets the majority of its supply from Northern California and the Colorado River. But the city has plans to become more resilient—by making what’s old, new again.

You Can’t Have ICE Without Water. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: A plan by ICE to warehouse people doesn’t hold water. Theodore Roosevelt would roll over in his grave if he knew of a new Trump administration plan. Lake Powell on the Colorado River could fall so low later this year it wouldn’t be able to generate hydropower. Three athletes were disqualified at the winter Olympics—not for doping but for using a compound harmful to the environment.

The Endangered “Endangerment Finding” That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: The Trump administration took steps to rescind the “Endangerment Finding”—the basis for regulating tailpipe and smokestack pollution. There was no love lost between Upper and Lower Basin states of the Colorado River as the Valentine’s Day deadline passed. Forecasters say we could see a shift from current La Niña conditions to El Niño later this year, which could trigger record global warmth. Why global warming could change the way male frogs serenade their mates.

A “Widespread Collapse of American Agriculture”? That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: U.S. agriculture leaders are fed up with “bellicose rhetoric and chaotic trade policies” decimating the American farm economy. A new study says flawed economic models are underestimating the impact of the climate crisis, which could crash global finances. Congress cut in half the planned funding for removing lead pipes from municipal water systems. You wind some and you lose some—especially when you’re full of hot air.

The U.S. Government Is Being Sued…for Murder. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: The U.S. government is being sued under the “Death on the High Seas Act.” Governors of the Colorado River Basin met in Washington, DC, and were urged to find some love for each other by Valentine’s Day. Like flying safely? Thank NCAR—while you can.

What Trump May Want from Greenland Beyond Minerals. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: Trump might be coveting Greenland for something in addition to its mineral wealth. The Trump administration is speeding up permits for seabed mining. Another reason to be cautious about mining the sea floor? It might contain “dark oxygen.” How “Making America Healthy Again” may make the planet sick.

How Environmental Damage Fueled Iran’s Protests. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: Anger over the economic and political situation in Iran has fueled widespread protests, but environmental disasters also ignited the dissent. The governors of the seven states in the Colorado River Basin have been summoned to Washington, DC, to negotiate an agreement. News about Greenland might have you concerned that international cooperation is on thin ice. But thinning ice is, in fact, fostering cooperation. Newsflash! Most of the world just agreed about something.

Fighting Fire with Sound—No Water Required. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: President Trump pulled the U.S. out of 66 international organizations and agreements, including ones to combat climate change and address the oceans, seabed, and renewable energy. A new study has found that Earth’s oceans are now the hottest they’ve ever been since measurements began in 1960. A California company is using acoustic waves to douse flames—no chemicals, suppressants, water, or power needed. Jellyfish may be brainless, but they’re more similar to us than you think.

Revenge Scorn—Trump Cancels a Water Pipeline in Colorado. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: President Trump vetoed a clean water project in Colorado that had been approved unanimously by the House and the Senate. Earth’s clouds are shrinking. A bad sign for climate change? Sparrows in California changed their beaks during COVID lockdowns, only to change them back when life returned to normal.

Some in the West Pay High Prices for Water, while Others Get It for Free. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: The U.S. has tanked a UN roadmap report meant to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and end the use of plastics. A new study from UCLA says cities in the West pay vastly more for water than districts that supply agriculture. The world has come together to protect more than 70 shark and ray species being driven to extinction.

A Mushrooming Industry That Serves the Dead. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: The Trump administration is reigniting California’s water wars between farms and fish. Zillow deletes climate risk data from listings after complaints it hurts sales. Money doesn’t grow on trees—but gold does, according to a new study. This coffin promises life after death.

Data Centers…in the Sky? That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: There were protests on the Mexican side of the U.S. border, not over migration but over water. COP30 copped out on transitioning away from fossil fuels, so frustrated countries are creating a new conference to accelerate action. Researchers are working on building flying data centers—blimps that would operate in the stratosphere to be more sustainable. If you had a cherry pie at Thanksgiving, thank a kestrel.

Climate Change Is Making Food Less Nutritious. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: The COP30 climate summit ended without an agreement to phase out fossil fuels. The Trump administration announced it will proceed with oil and gas leases off the coasts of Alaska, California, Florida, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Climate change is making our food less nutritious—and more fattening. Cracking a murder mystery—with flies.

Planes Could Soon Run on Garbage. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: COP30 has been promoted as the “Indigenous peoples’ COP.” Will it deliver? States that rely on the Colorado River missed a deadline to divvy up water. Now what? Beaver wetlands are creating a buzz. How trash—from food and plastics to paper and metals—can fuel your next flight.

A Major World City Could Run Out of Water. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: As the COP30 climate summit got underway in Brazil last week, notably absent were the U.S., China, India and Russia. Tehran, Iran could reach “Day Zero” within two weeks—and if no rain falls, the city might need to be evacuated. Voters in last week’s election were energized…by their electric bills.

How Whales Can Help Humans Live Longer. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean last week, was one of the strongest ever in the Atlantic. A new study says that heart rates sync up among people fishing together. Ranchers are facing a new threat with climate change—black vultures. Thanks to bowhead whales, researchers might have solved a puzzle called “Peto’s Paradox.”

Your Computer Could One Day Run on Mushrooms. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: Scientists have calculated the “carbon hoofprint” for every city in America. The shiitake mushrooms you enjoy in recipes can also be sustainable ingredients to feed computers. Iceland minus ice equals... mosquitoes? Researchers working to save coral reefs are feeding them “baby food.”

How “Liquid Air” Could Help Solve the Climate Crisis. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: A major storm that recently hit small communities in western Alaska may have been made worse by Trump administration cuts. Good news! Green sea turtles have rebounded and are no longer an endangered species. “Liquified air” could be a game changer for getting off fossil fuels faster. How billiard balls once helped to save elephants.

Suppose They Gave a Coal Auction and Nobody Came. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: For the first time ever, renewables have overtaken coal as the world’s biggest source of electricity. Trump wants to resuscitate the fossil fuel. Data centers are starting to use PFAS gas, worrying scientists about a new source of harmful “forever chemicals.” “The Blob” and La Niña have never occurred simultaneously—until now. What does that mean for this winter’s weather?

A New Silk Road Through the Arctic. That story and more on H2O Radio’s weekly news report. Headlines: How the government shutdown could leave lasting damage to the environment. A cargo ship left China last week along a new “Polar Silk Road”—a route most consider too risky. Researchers discover ancient “road signs” that told desert travelers where to find water.