Appalachian Hurricane Flooding Intensified by Climate Change
We have all seen the news coverage of the horrific flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina, a small city often touted as protected from the effects of climate change. The truth is that Appalachia, including West Virginia,…
A Longer Mosquito Season This Fall Thanks to Climate Change
The worst time for mosquitos is usually late August and early September. But the longer it stays warm in the Fall, the longer mosquitos hang around. They aren’t usually killed off until the first frost, which comes later now in West Virginia…
How West Virginia Electric Utilities Stack Up
West Virginia is served by a small number of electric utilities, all of which are regulated by the Public Service Commission. Appalachian Power provides service generally in the southern half of the state. First Energy Corporation operates in…
How to Talk With a Conservative About Climate Change
We all know them. They are in our families and at our workplaces. They are the people who deny that climate change is manmade, or who claim that some scientist has proved it’s all a hoax. Sometimes it’s a matter of choosing teams. Concern…
Fall Wildfire Season Poses Risks for West Virginia
According to the West Virginia Division of Forestry, forests cover 78.5% of the land in the state – making us the third most heavily forested state in the nation. This natural blessing filters water, provides wildlife habitat, and provides…
Climate Change Hammers Outdoor Recreation
You may not have really noticed the impact of overheating on outdoor recreation – like the frog doesn’t notice the water in the pot slowly getting warmer. But if you play outdoors the impact on your fun is obvious.
Increasing temperatures…
Governor Justice Declares Drought State of Emergency in All 55 West Virginia Counties
Gov. Jim Justice has declared a State of Emergency for all 55 counties due to a prolonged shortage of rainfall that has caused dangerous drought conditions. The US Department of Agriculture issued the chart below, showing the drought conditions…
What is the Cost of Climate Change Inaction?
Skeptics of climate change often warn of the cost of reducing greenhouse gases. They cite job dislocation in fossil fuel industries, increased taxes and government debt as reasons to do nothing. Sure, there will be costs. But there will also…
Climate Change Drives Up the Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
Climate change worldwide is taking money from our pockets in ways we never imagined. One of those ways is the higher cost of homeowner's insurance.
The skyrocketing cost of homeowner’s insurance has caused people in West Virginia to underinsure…
Climate Change Drives Up Grocery Prices
Everyone has noticed the higher price of food when they shop at the grocery store. Climate change is contributing in a big way to these price increases. Depending on the particular food we talk about, climate change can be the single biggest…
