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…
Early Voting – The Solution to West Virginia’s Poor Voter Turnout
Election day is November 5, 2024 all across the country. In case you haven’t heard a president will be elected. But there are also many important West Virginia local and state races to be decided. The problem is that many West Virginians don’t…
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…
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…
New Energy Jobs – The Cure for West Virginia’s Youth Drain
In the last two decades, West Virginia’s story has been one of declining population, particularly young people of working-age, and sluggish job growth. Our representation in Congress recently dropped from three Representatives to two because…
Another Climate Change Risk – Lyme Disease
We’ve always had ticks in West Virginia. But maybe you’ve noticed they’re worse now. You aren’t imagining it. There are more ticks these days and they are showing up earlier in the spring and dying off later in the fall. The culprit?…
