CLIMATE CHANGE

On June 8 we celebrate World Oceans Day, a special occasion to acknowledge the invaluable role of the ocean in supporting humanity and safeguarding our planet from the perils of climate change.

As hurricane season approaches, you may be asking, “What effect, if any, does climate change have on future storms?” Well, these weather experts have the answer.

Here's how how it was in April.

An international team of climate scientists says the ongoing drought in Eastern Africa has been made worse by human-induced climate change.

A report shows Europeans, particularly in the south of the continent, are being subjected to more heat stress during the summer months as climate change causes longer periods of extreme weather.

Humanity still has a chance, close to the last one, to prevent the worst of climate change’s future harms, a top United Nations panel of scientists said Monday.

A new mural was unveiled in Orlando to help spread awareness about the effects of climate change.

As Central Florida smashes records with temperatures in the 90s in February, some people are experiencing increasing anxiety about climate change.

Help us report on the mental strain of climate change

One of Florida’s most iconic spots to surf has been ranked as one of the most threatened by rising sea levels, according to a national study by the Surfrider Foundation.

The U.S. Senate’s Inflation Reduction Act passed over the weekend contains several climate provisions that could help some Central Florida coastal communities.

Since June 1 we have only had three days with a normal daytime high. We had one day, June 4, when we were below normal. Every other day, all 42 of them, have been hotter than normal.

Used cooking oil collected from restaurants near Orlando area attractions is being collected and converted into a fuel that can help fly the tourists who visit there.

Did you see me “Showing My Stripes” this week? I posted the picture above on Facebook and other social media sites Tuesday afternoon.

The federal government is investing in machines that suck giant amounts of carbon dioxide out of the air in the hopes of reducing damage from climate change.

Since 1970 the average temperature in Orlando has gone up 1.5 degrees. For Florida as a whole the warming is even higher.

You probably already recycle, and it’s absolutely an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint, but are there any more things you could be doing around the house to be a little bit more green?

With Earth Day 2021 rapidly approaching, Google Earth has released a feature that might really open some eyes when it comes to how certain parts of the globe have changed in recent decades.

This week in Forecasting Change, we look at the prolonged "megadrought" in the West.

The 21st century tornado problem is far different from ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Killer tornadoes hit the Southeast far more than they do in Kansas, Oklahoma or Texas.

Parts of Antarctica Friday hit 70 degrees warmer than normal.

Hurricane Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain on parts of the Texas coast in 2017.

We all know that losing a loved one is tough, and it’s just as challenging to figure out a proper way to honor them. Do you bury them? Cremate? Have a funeral? Purchase a casket?

Now that we’ve launched our new “Solutionaries” digital newscast, we want to know: Have you seen an episode? How about the latest one? Do you have any ideas for the future?

Think about all the food you eat in a day. Some people track their calories, which measure the energy you’re getting from the things you consume. A lot of adults likely know a rough daily estimate of what they eat, in terms of calories. But what about your carbon footprint? Do you know what your number is?

A deadly disease is thriving in warmer waters, creating an uncertain future for the Florida coast. Now, the government is putting aside differences to effect change. Volunteers are making a huge impact, as well.

Do you do more for the planet, less for the planet, or about average, compared to your peers? We posed a series of poll questions just last month, trying to help you determine how environmentally friendly you are.

If you just finished watching our latest episode of “Solutionaries,” then you know we focused on the environment and all things climate change-related.

Cities, especially urban ones, are often plagued by an issue most commonly referred to as heat islands.

Environmental groups in cities are often looking for volunteers, which also can be known as “street scientists,” to collect data that can help a city deal with urban heat islands, and such data is easier than you think to collect.

If you’ve walked through a heavily populated city with a bustling downtown in the middle of summer, then you know just how hot it can be.

Climate change is an issue affecting everyone and just about everything.

Falling snow is not a common sight in Central Florida.

If you’re a coffee lover or a self-proclaimed addict, you might rate its level of importance on your daily life fairly high.

When it comes to climate change and environmental issues, it might feel like a lot to wrap your head around: The problems are so widespread and complex -- so if you’ve ever thought to yourself, “What can one person even DO?”, you’re likely not alone.

The City of Orlando is taking drastic steps to lower its carbon footprint by transforming its entire fleet of vehicles to electric or natural gas.

The 2021 Florida Energy and Climate Summit kicked off Tuesday in Orlando.

A grassroots effort involving veterans in dive gear has its sights set on saving Florida’s coral from the brink of extinction.

Meteorological summer came to an end this week. Long story short, it was a hot one.

As the drought worsens across the West, cattle ranchers are among those feeling the pain.

This week in Forecasting Change we take a look at “Extreme Weather.”

Forecasters explain the impact climate change is having on storms.

Florida will spend hundreds of millions of dollars over the next few years to protect against coastal flooding under a bill signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

If you’re known to blindly toss anything paper or plastic into the recycling bin, you’re probably not alone.

The consequences that come with deforestation affect everything from nutrition to infections.

The City of Orlando in partnership with the Orlando Utilities Commission, along with American Cities Climate Change, installed 100 new EV stations throughout Orlando.

There are 4 consecutive days in the 7-day planning forecast that have daytime highs of 90 degrees or higher. The graphic below from Climate Central shows that Orlando should not supposed to be this hot this soon. First 90 degree day coming earlier. Over the past 50 years, the first 90-degree readings have happened somewhere within the second or third week of April to the end of March or early April. This next graphic shows that summer is extending its reach by starting earlier and ending later.

(AP Photo/Ellis Rua, File)ORLANDO, Fla. – This week Forecasting Change will focus on our senior population and the threat they are facing from rising sea levels. Consider the fact that in Hurricane Katrina 70% of the deaths were seniors, even though they represented only 15% of the population. Increasing flood riskNow to be clear, Climate Change and sea level rise are a threat to us all. But much like the elderly are more likely to die from COVID-19 they are also the most vulnerable to bad weather events. If they live in an area that is endangered by rising water, evacuation and shelter are also huge threats to their lives.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida’s pollen season has kicked into high gear this year, with the return of spring-like temperatures. This then would mean temperatures strongly influence not only the length of pollen season, but also its intensity. Studying their 60 pollen reporting stations across the country, the pollen season has become 20 days longer compared to what it was 1990. Because pollen concentrations are highly sensitive to temperature and carbon dioxide, this study found that human-caused climate change was responsible for at least half of the additional days of pollen season. These findings concern doctors, as these drastic changes to our pollen season across the country could impact many who suffer from asthma and allergies.

In this week’s Forecasting Change I want to show you the energy numbers of real vs. fake Christmas trees. Also, it is much better for the energy consumption if you use LED lights. LED holiday lights are 90% more efficient than older incandescent versions, with one-fifth the carbon footprint of traditional lights. Carbon footprints or real vs fake trees. If you do use a real tree, consider mulching it instead of letting it go to a landfill.

This week in Forecasting Change I want to say goodbye to the 2020 Hurricane Season. Check out the graphic below:The rapid intensification of tropical storms is what can make them deadly hurricanes. (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

“You really have to pair battery storage, we call it energy storage, with solar,” Ferrone explained. Ferrone said there is a lot of technology involved with solar energy and it continues to change. If you would like to know more about how OUC plans to achieve Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050, use the links below download this week’s episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate. Each week they have a guest host who helps give an irreverent look at the issues impacting the Sunshine State. Listen to the full episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate on iTunes here or on Sticher here.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A new exhibit left outside Orlando City Hall on Thursday is melting away under the Central Florida sun to raise awareness about climate change. “Melting Florida” is a statewide campaign designed by the CLEO Institute, which calls itself a nonpartisan organization dedicated to climate change education. “Rising temperatures and the climate crisis are impacting our way of life,” said Executive Director Yoca Arditi-Rocha. Previous exhibits in Miami and Tampa have brought awareness to how climate change affects weather and Florida’s wildlife. At Orlando’s exhibit, people are encouraged to take pictures with the figures and use a nearby QR code to learn more about steps to combat the impacts of climate change.

“Here comes a nice spoonbill coming along,” Jeff Gordon said. “Florida is low-lying and has lots of water,” Jeff Gordon said. According to a study by the Audubon Society, two-thirds of the birds in North America are at risk of extinction over the next 30 years due to what they called a “global temperature rise.”The Audubon Society's study predicts two-thirds of North American birds are at risk of extinction due to climate change. “I do see a difference in the amount of birds,” Jeff Gordon said. “Things are definitely changing, and it’s like we’re rolling some pretty big dice,” Jeff Gordon said.

Don Dankert, with KSC’s environmental planning office, says this three-mile restoration project should be finished this year. The work follows the 2016 and 2017 hurricanes and NASA said if rising sea levels damage the beach in the future, it would rebuild the dunes again. Senior Project Manager Keith Britton, also a member of the Oviedo City Council, called preparing for rising sea levels, “a long-term approach.”Britton said the good news is if sea levels rise here an estimated three-feet over the next 60 or 70 years, KSC's buildings would still not be flooded out. “The bottom line is we’re not really threatened at this time but now’s the time we’re going to start looking at how to mitigate sea-level rise when it does occur,” Britton said. NASA said in the last 100 years, the average global sea-level rise is seven inches.