Peter Thomson
PRI
Boston, MA, United States
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Past articles by Peter:
Europe's cold blast, Arctic's heat wave are 'two sides of the same coin'
While it's been unusually cold and snowy in much of Europe, the Arctic has been seeing record warm temperatures and a huge loss of ice. Here's how the two are linked, and what they might have to do with climate change. → Read More
With the lights still dark in Puerto Rico, solar companies see an opportunity to help
Solar power barely existed in Puerto Rico before Hurricane Maria, but with the island suffering from a post-hurricane power crisis, solar companies see an opportunity to help — and get a foothold. → Read More
Is the 1-2 punch of Harvey and Irma due to nature — or climate change? Yes.
Back-to-back mega-storms pounding the US and Caribbean countries have left a lot of people wondering if this is climate change at work. The answer is yes, and no. But it's the wrong question. → Read More
Harvey may have caught Texas by surprise, but other places have been getting ready for more extreme weather
Climate change is bringing more extreme weather to just about every corner of the globe. Some places are getting ready, some aren't. And the difference isn't just about money. → Read More
Federal scientists’ report says climate change is dangerously real
In a direct challenge to the positions and policies of the Trump administration, a leaked draft of a scientific report from 13 US federal agencies says there's no doubt humans are largely responsible for climate change. It warns of the stark consequences now and in the future. → Read More
The UK joins a move to ban gas and diesel cars by 2040
Britain plans to outlaw the sale of new diesel and gasoline cars and vans starting in 2040. But what are the hurdles to going electric? → Read More
Many US scientists answer France’s call to come ‘make our planet great again’
American climate scientists are responding to a plea made by French President Emmanuel Macron after President Donald Trump announced the US would pull out of the Paris climate agreement. → Read More
Here's a new climate change reality that Trump's new policies ignore
As President Trump turns US government policy away from the realities of climate change, a new scientific study confirms a link between climate pollution and dangerously extreme weather. The irony of the timing is not lost on the study's lead author. → Read More
Here’s why new EPA chief Pruitt is ‘absolutely wrong’ about CO2 and climate change
Scott Pruitt says there's no proof that carbon dioxide pollution is causing the Earth to heat up. Well-established science — and a scientist who's a fellow Republican — says that's flat-out wrong. → Read More
This Republican says his party's denial of climate science is 'courting disaster' with voters
Donald Trump has famously dismissed concern about climate change as a hoax and a con job. And on that point, he's well within the GOP mainstream, but a former GOP congressman says his party's all wrong on the science, economics and politics of the climate threat. → Read More
30 years after Chernobyl, these Ukrainian babushkas are still living on toxic land
The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster caused the permanent evacuation of 350,000 people. But a handful returned to the contaminated land near the plant, and 30 years later a few remain, outliving many of their neighbors who stayed away. A new film explores the power of home for "The Babushkas of Chernobyl." → Read More
This is your brain on lead, and lots of other nasty pollutants
The water crisis gripping Flint, Michigan has exposed thousands of the city’s residents to dangerous lead levels. But Flint is hardly unique. Many other American cities have faced lead contamination in water supplies, and an expanding list of common substances, including some pesticides and flame retardants, may also be linked to significant developmental and neurological problems. Get the… → Read More
Zika is a window into a much bigger story in Brazil
It's a story about mosquitos, public health, water and women, which is why The World has sent its Across Womens' Lives team to Brazil. They’re there to report on how Zika fits into the story of Brazilian women’s struggles to improve their lives in a time of rapid and often disturbing environmental change. → Read More
A Supreme Court speed bump could signal big trouble for Obama's signature climate plan
The Obama administration says its plan to require big cuts in climate pollution from power plants is on firm legal ground. But an unexpected procedural ruling by the Supreme Court suggests a key swing justice could cast a vote to scuttle it. → Read More
People who traveled to the Paris climate summit can offset their carbon emissions — but it isn't easy
The UN set up a system for people attending last month's landmark climate summit in Paris to offset the carbon footprint of their travel to the meeting. → Read More
The Paris climate deal won't save the world, but it does give us a chance
The smiles and handshakes at the end of the high-stakes Paris climate summit masked huge holes in the deal and massive challenges ahead. But The World's environment editor Peter Thomson says an imperfect deal still represents a major turning point in the global climate crisis. → Read More
From climate change victims, a message to UN negotiators: “They’ve been talking, talking, talking. Why don’t they act?”
While negotiators from nearly 200 countries tussle over the details of a proposed climate pact in Paris, people from affected communities are straining to have their voices heard. The World's environment editor Peter Thomson spoke with three women from far-flug regions who've gone to Paris to demand strong action. → Read More
With France still on edge, climate negotiators search for consensus
At the massive global climate summit in Paris, it's all about trying to bring the world together to turn the corner on climate change. But with just days to go, there are still lots of devils in the details. → Read More
After years of stalled talks, a veteran journalist has high hopes for this year's climate summit
Paul Brown has covered global climate talks for nearly a quarter-century. This time he says, "despite years of having the sand thrown in my eyes, I think there is a change of mood. People really want to get on with this thing.” → Read More