Lauren Sommer, NPR

Lauren Sommer

NPR

Oakland, CA, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • NPR
  • KQED Public Media
  • 89.3 KPCC

Past articles by Lauren:

NPR

Coping with climate change: Advice for kids — from kids

Climate anxiety is on the rise in younger generations, as they face inheriting a hotter planet. Here's their advice on how to cope with those feelings. → Read More

NPR

Here's what happened on Friday at the U.N.'s COP27 climate talks

President Biden touted American progress reining in emissions and said he intends to push for more money for developing countries. Here's what happened at COP27 today. → Read More

NPR

Climate Tipping Points And The Damage That Could Follow

If Earth heats up beyond 1.5 degrees, the impacts don't get just slightly worse--scientists warn that abrupt changes could be set off, with devastating impacts around the world. As the 27th annual climate negotiations are underway in Egypt and the world is set to blow past that 1.5°C warming threshold, Emily Kwong talks to climate correspondents Rebecca Hersher and Lauren Sommer about three… → Read More

NPR

Here's what happened on Day 5 of the U.N.'s COP27 climate talks

Russia's war in Ukraine also threatens to wreck climate goals, members of Congress arrive, and an actor changes his name to draw attention to global warming → Read More

NPR

Here's what happened on day 4 of the U.N.'s COP27 climate talks

A U.S. funding plan for lower-income countries faced criticism and a big map of who is releasing greenhouse gasses was released. Here's what happened at COP27 today. → Read More

NPR

COP-out: who's liable for climate change destruction?

As the COP27 climate conference begins, a tricky economic question is on the table: should wealthy nations compensate their lower-income neighbors who suffer most from the climate crisis? And how?For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. → Read More

NPR

Here's what happened on day 3 of the U.N.'s COP27 climate talks

Pakistan's leader sounded the alarm, climate scientists called for more equitable research and the U.N. tried to crack down on greenwashing. Here's what happened at COP27 today. → Read More

NPR

COP-out: Who's Liable For Climate Change Destruction?

World leaders have gathered in Egypt this week to begin climate talks at the 27th Conference of the Parties. However, there are still outstanding questions about who should pay for climate change losses and damages. Vulnerable countries hit hardest by climate change are asking the wealthier countries most responsible for these damages for compensation.Climate change correspondent Lauren Sommer… → Read More

NPR

Here's how far behind the world is on reining in climate change

The world is set to start crucial climate change negotiations soon. To avoid extreme warming, nations have to make deep cuts in heat-trapping emissions, fast. → Read More

NPR

Western wildfires are making far away storms more dangerous

Scientists are finding that Western wildfires can have far-reaching impacts. If they're burning while Central U.S. thunderstorms are forming, the rain and hail can be dramatically more destructive. → Read More

NPR

Heat Can Take A Deadly Toll On Humans

Heat—it's common in summer in much of the world, but it's getting increasingly more lethal as climate change causes more extreme heat. NPR climate correspondent Lauren Sommer talks with Short Wave's Regina G. Barber about how human bodies cope with extended extreme heat and how current information on how hot it feels need updating.Follow Short Wave on Twitter @NPRShortWave. Or email us — we're… → Read More

NPR

Why heat wave warnings are falling short in the U.S.

Unprecedented heat waves are on the rise as the climate gets hotter. But experts say the country's heat warning system may be leading the public to underestimate the dangers. → Read More

NPR

Science In The City: Cylita Guy Talks Chasing Bats And Tracking Rats

Cylita Guy was a curious child who enjoyed exploring the beaches, parks and animals that shared her hometown of Toronto, Canada. She's an urban ecologist interested in city-dwelling bats. Cylita talks to guest host Lauren Sommer about the importance of studying wildlife in cities and about her children's book, Chasing Bats and Tracking Rats: Urban Ecology, Community Science and How We Share Our… → Read More

NPR

Is your house at risk of a wildfire? This online tool could tell you

Many people move without realizing the danger that wildfires pose to their new home. A new risk rating system could help buyers learn more on real estate sites. → Read More

NPR

California just ran on 100% renewable energy, but fossil fuels aren't fading away yet

California broke its record for renewable energy when solar and wind provided enough to meet all consumer demand. At the time, natural gas power plants were still on, a necessity for the grid. → Read More

NPR

Vacuuming carbon from the air could help stop climate change. Not everyone agrees

With the climate warming rapidly, scientists are finding that cutting fossil fuels may not be enough. Carbon dioxide emissions may need to be vacuumed right out of the air. → Read More

NPR

Green infrastructure helps cities with climate change. So why isn't there more of it?

The U.S. is making the largest investment in history in the country's water system. In the rush to spend, some worry green projects will be overlooked. → Read More

NPR

It's not too late to stave off the climate crisis, U.N. report finds. Here's how

The good news is that the world has solutions and technology to slow climate change. The bad news is that time is running out. → Read More

NPR

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is hit with mass coral bleaching yet again

Some corals have turned a ghostly white due to extreme heat stress. It's the fourth bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef in the last seven years, which makes it harder to recover. → Read More

NPR

Should Bulldogs Exist?

Cute, wrinkly faces aside, bulldogs have myriad health problems. Science points to purebred breeding practices as the reason. NPR Science correspondent Lauren Sommer talks to host Aaron Scott about how a bulldog breeding ban in Norway has fueled an ongoing debate on the practice of breeding dogs with low genetic diversity and, as a result, high instances of health problems. → Read More