Wildfires Used to ‘Go to Sleep’ at Night. Climate Change Has Them Burning Overtime
A new study in Science Advances shows North American wildfires now burn significantly longer, with fire‑prone conditions extending 36% beyond levels of five decades ago. Nighttime temperatures have risen faster than daytime highs, curbing humidity rebounds and allowing flames to persist after dark. Regions such as California, New Mexico and Arizona now experience hundreds to thousands of extra burning hours each year, adding roughly 26 calendar days of fire‑risk annually. The findings link these trends directly to human‑driven climate change, warning that night‑time fire suppression will become increasingly difficult.
As Cuba’s Grid Fails, Solar Power Becomes a Lifeline
The Trump administration’s 2026 fuel blockade has crippled Cuba’s oil‑dependent grid, leading to daily blackouts that exceed 20 hours and a humanitarian crisis in hospitals and streets. In response, Cuba’s renewable share jumped to 10% in 2025, driven by a...
Human-Caused Climate Change Is Unmistakably Distinct From Earth’s Natural Climate Variability
A new analysis of five independent paleoclimate datasets spanning 66 million years confirms a consistent Earth‑system sensitivity of roughly 8.2‑9.9 °C per CO₂ doubling. The study combines ice‑core, marine sediment and deep‑time geological records, all using robust York/ODR regression methods. When the...
Skeptical Science New Research for Week #15 2026
This week’s Skeptical Science roundup highlights four major developments: researchers call for solar‑geoengineering studies that incorporate geopolitical conflict, a new analysis links El Niño events to accelerated spring melt of West Greenland sea ice, and Arctic sea‑ice variability has risen 11.4%...
What the Iran Conflict Means for Gas Prices, Clean Energy, and the Climate
U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have forced Iran to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, cutting global oil supply by more than 10% and pushing crude prices up $40 per barrel. U.S. gasoline prices have risen above $4...
The Ski Industry Is Oddly Quiet on Climate Change
The Western United States is experiencing a severe snow drought, with snowpack at only 15‑65% of normal levels, prompting early resort closures and reduced staffing. Between 2000 and 2019 the U.S. ski industry incurred more than $5 billion in losses due...
The Controversy over Deep-Sea Mining, Explained
Deep‑sea mining is being promoted as a source of critical minerals for the clean‑energy transition, but more than 40 countries and several U.S. states have called for a moratorium due to severe environmental and cultural risks. Indigenous leaders such as...
The Climate Scientist Who Refuses to Stay Objective
Earth scientist Kate Marvel’s new book, *Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel about Our Changing Planet*, blends climate science with personal emotion, arguing that scientists need not hide their feelings. Each chapter explores a different emotion—wonder, anger, hope, fear—to make...
Skeptical Science New Research for Week #9 2026
The latest Skeptical Science weekly roundup highlights mounting climate risks across multiple sectors. A new study finds 67% of U.S. national parks are vulnerable to transformative impacts such as fire, drought, and sea‑level rise, while research on extreme fire weather...