- 10 Dec, 2025 *
🧭 This Week in Environmental News
From mind-bending climate solutions to heartbreaking species losses, this week’s environmental journalism captured both the audacity of human innovation and the urgency of our planetary moment. The most striking story might be scientists seriously exploring whether we can create new inland seas to help lower rising oceans—a proposal that sounds like science fiction but represents the kind of bold thinking our climate crisis may demand.
Top Stories
Could We Build New Seas to Fight Rising Waters? Mongabay’s fascinating interview with researcher Amir AghaKouchak explores this audacious geoengi…
- 10 Dec, 2025 *
🧭 This Week in Environmental News
From mind-bending climate solutions to heartbreaking species losses, this week’s environmental journalism captured both the audacity of human innovation and the urgency of our planetary moment. The most striking story might be scientists seriously exploring whether we can create new inland seas to help lower rising oceans—a proposal that sounds like science fiction but represents the kind of bold thinking our climate crisis may demand.
Top Stories
Could We Build New Seas to Fight Rising Waters? Mongabay’s fascinating interview with researcher Amir AghaKouchak explores this audacious geoengineering concept. With seas already up 8-9.5 inches since 1880, researchers are thinking big about solutions that could reshape entire landscapes.
Mining’s Hidden Costs Surface in Arizona Inside Climate News reports on contaminated water discharge from South32’s Hermosa mine—the first in a fast-tracked federal permitting program. Neighbors learned about dangerous heavy metal levels not from the company, but from local advocates, raising serious questions about transparency.
The Last Vaquita Porpoises With fewer than 10 individuals remaining, Mongabay’s cartoon story about the vaquita puts a heartbreaking face on extinction. These porpoises in Mexico’s Gulf of California are dying in fishing nets, victims of illegal totoaba fishing.
DNA Detective Work in the Arctic The Narwhal explores how researchers are cataloguing Arctic Ocean DNA to create an early warning system for ecosystem changes. This innovative approach could help scientists detect wildlife population shifts and disease outbreaks before they become visible.
Around the Regions
Michigan’s Lead Pipe Reality Check Planet Detroit provides a crucial guide for residents to check if their water systems are replacing dangerous lead pipes. With lead exposure remaining a serious health risk, this practical journalism helps people protect their families.
Pennsylvania’s Fracking Buffer Zone Battle Inside Climate News covers the study of proposed rules requiring more distance between gas drilling sites and homes, schools, and hospitals. Industry groups claim it would effectively ban development; health advocates say it’s essential protection.
Deep Dives
Data Centers: The Hidden Energy Hogs Multiple newsrooms tackled the explosive growth of AI-driven data centers this week. Inside Climate News reports on environmental groups demanding a nationwide construction freeze, while Planet Detroit covered a billion-dollar proposal being paused in Michigan after community pushback over water use.
Brazil’s Amazon Double-Dealing Just days after hosting COP30, Brazil weakened key Amazon protections, according to Inside Climate News. The move highlights the gap between climate promises and political reality.
What to Watch
• Norway’s four-year pause on deep-sea mining could influence international regulations • The UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi this week will shape global environmental policy • Michigan regulators face mounting pressure over the massive Oracle/OpenAI data center proposal
NewsCompass curates environmental journalism from independent nonprofit newsrooms. Visit NewsCompass
#Amazon #Brazil [#data centers](https://climatecompass.bearblog.dev/blog/?q=data centers) #mining [#sea levels](https://climatecompass.bearblog.dev/blog/?q=sea levels) #wildlife