H2ORadio

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.