United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2007
Ownership
Inside Climate News (originally SolveClimate News, legal entity Lost Light Projects Inc.) was founded in 2007 by publisher David Sassoon and executive editor Stacy Feldman. It is a not-for-profit incorporated in New York and a 501(c)(3) public charity, governed by its own board of directors rather than any corporate or individual owner.
Funding
It is financed primarily by general-support grants from charitable foundations and tax-deductible reader donations. Funders have included the Ford Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Rockefeller Family Fund, the Heinz Endowments, and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. By policy it refuses money from governments, political parties, elected officials or candidates.
Affiliation & stance
Inside Climate News is a donor-funded nonprofit newsroom with no party, state or corporate-owner control, and it bars conflicted or political funding to protect editorial independence. Its climate focus and foundation backers give it a center-left orientation, but because no party, church, union or government controls it, it is INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 77
79/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
85
Articles
84
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Immigrant Wants to Pay $368,000 in Fines, but Broken Payment System Won’t Let Him
An immigrant named Daniel, who entered the U.S. legally on a tourist visa and later sought asylum, now faces a $368,000 fine under a Trump-era policy that imposes daily penalties for failing to leave after a deportation order. The policy, enacted via an executive order in 2025, raises daily fines to $998 and allows for up to $1.8 million in penalties over five years. Despite being eager to pay, Daniel cannot access the payment system due to missing information, specifically, an identification number required for online payments. His attempts to contact the Department of Homeland Security were unsuccessful, with calls disconnecting after lengthy holds. Legal advocates note this is not an isolated case, as no clients have successfully paid these fines, highlighting systemic issues with transparency and accessibility in the immigration enforcement system.
Burning Questions Confront Wildland Firefighters in Maine and Across New England
Wildfires in New England, though less frequent than in the West, have increased due to recent droughts, raising concerns among firefighters and officials. In 2025, Maine experienced quadrupled late summer fire activity, while Connecticut saw a fivefold increase in fall wildfires, including a fatality. Massachusetts had its most active fall fire season in four decades, and Canadian wildfires impacted air quality across the East Coast. Experts note that New England's historically moist climate reduces the risk of large wildfires, but growing human-caused fires and changing conditions pose challenges. The region's collaborative fire management system, involving both Canadian provinces and U.S. states, has handled much of the burden, though federal resources remain largely unused. However, proposed changes to the Forest Service and Wildland Fire Service under the Trump administration introduce uncertainty about future support and resource allocation.
Boulder, Colorado, and Big Oil Prepare for High-Stakes Clash in Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a high-stakes case involving Boulder, Colorado, and major oil companies such as Suncor and ExxonMobil. The case, Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, centers on whether federal law prevents state-level climate change lawsuits against oil companies. Boulder filed a lawsuit in 2018 alleging that these companies engaged in deceptive practices regarding climate risks, leading to increased costs for adapting to extreme weather events. The Colorado Supreme Court allowed the case to move forward in 2025, prompting the oil companies to seek intervention from the Supreme Court. The decision could set a precedent affecting numerous similar lawsuits nationwide, raising significant constitutional issues related to federalism and state authority.
Protecting our ‘most vital infrastructure’: Pushing back on desertification
The article discusses the growing threat of desertification, emphasizing its impact on global food security, water resources, and economic stability. It highlights the role of climate change factors such as rising temperatures, droughts, and deforestation in accelerating land degradation. The focus is on Mongolia, where over 77% of the land is degraded, and pastoralism remains a critical livelihood for one-third of the population. The article references the upcoming UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP17), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, which aims to address land restoration and sustainability. Key figures like UN Executive Yasmine Fouad and Mongolia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh stress the urgent need for global action, noting that 3.2 billion people are affected by land degradation and that the economic costs are substantial. The article underscores the importance of international cooperation, early warning systems, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Secret Plan to Dump Slaughterhouse Waste Blindsided Residents of Iowa’s Loess Hills
A large waste storage site was secretly constructed near a historic cemetery in Castana, Iowa, raising concerns among local residents. The site, located within the protected Loess Hills landscape, was being used to store industrial byproduct waste from a pork processing plant in Sioux City. Local officials were unaware of the project until residents began complaining, leading to a town hall meeting where developers claimed they had communicated with state regulators. However, these communications occurred with central office staff rather than the regional DNR field office responsible for oversight in Monona County. The project operates under Iowa's current regulations, which do not require permits for certain levels of waste application.
Texas Oil and Gas Regulators Will No Longer Have to Accept Public Comment at Open Meetings
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), which regulates the state’s oil and gas industry, has implemented a new public participation policy that removes the requirement for public comment at monthly open meetings. Previously, members of the public could register to speak for up to three minutes at the end of each meeting. Under the new policy, public comment will only occur if individual commissioners request it, meaning there is no longer a guaranteed opportunity for public input. The change was adopted by a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Christi Craddick opposing it, arguing that public comment at open meetings is essential. The policy was not shared with the public beforehand, and commissioners reportedly did not review it prior to voting. Critics, including Virginia Palacios of Commission Shift, argue the move undermines transparency and public engagement. While commissioners claim the policy enhances accessibility through monthly 'listening sessions,' critics see it as a reduction in direct public accountability.
Bomb Fishing Is Reducing Coral Reefs to ‘Rubble’
The article discusses the devastating impact of 'bomb fishing' on coral reefs in the Coral Triangle, particularly around Indonesia's Spermonde Archipelago. Researchers from the Zoological Society of London and Indonesia recorded over 3,500 explosions using underwater microphones, revealing that blast fishing, banned globally, is causing significant damage. This method involves using explosives in plastic bottles to stun and kill marine life, resulting in extensive coral destruction. A single explosion can destroy up to 200 square feet of reef habitat, turning vibrant ecosystems into 'rubble.' In 2023, researchers deployed audio recorders and used AI software to analyze data, identifying thousands of blasts annually. They estimate that 75% of coral in the region has been lost since 1990 due to such practices, along with climate change and bleaching. The study highlights the urgent need for enforcement against this illegal activity.
‘Lead City’ Series Receives National Association of Black Journalists Award
Inside Climate News, along with WBEZ and Grist, received a 'Salute to Excellence' award from the National Association of Black Journalists for their investigative series titled 'Lead City,' which examined Chicago's failure to address its extensive lead water pipe infrastructure. The series revealed that Chicago had significantly lagged behind federal deadlines for replacing lead service lines and failed to adequately warn residents about potential lead contamination. The reporting highlighted how lead pipes disproportionately affected Black and Latino communities and provided an interactive tool for residents to check their water pipes for lead. The project was recognized with multiple awards and accolades from various journalism organizations, including the Edward R. Murrow Awards and the National Headliner Awards.
Extreme Heat Waves Fuel Political Tensions in Europe
A prolonged summer of extreme heat waves across Europe has intensified political tensions, with elected leaders under scrutiny for inadequate responses to climate-related crises. The heat, combined with drought, has led to river depletion, crop damage, and increased wildfires, prompting calls for urgent government action from Green parties and citizens. In Austria, 395 heat-related deaths were reported, with local officials like Green Party City Councilwoman Eva Schobesberger advocating for immediate protective measures. Despite past lessons from previous heatwaves, recent studies show persistent high mortality rates, highlighting ongoing challenges. The European Green Party criticizes the EU for delayed action on a proposed heat and cooling plan, emphasizing the need for rapid, coordinated responses to escalating climate threats.
More than 50 Sloths Died at a Florida Wildlife Attraction. Officials Say No Crime Occurred.
An investigative report by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office detailed the poor conditions faced by over 50 sloths at a Florida wildlife attraction called Sloth World, where they suffered from dehydration, malnutrition, and other health issues leading to their deaths. Despite these conditions, the sheriff’s office concluded there was no criminal activity involved, attributing the deaths to pre-existing health problems rather than neglect or abuse. The report relied on interviews with the attraction’s owner, employees, experts, and veterinary records. However, legal experts noted that current laws provide limited protections for wildlife, making it difficult to prosecute cases like this. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission did not take action to halt the importation of sloths despite the high mortality rate.
China’s Solar Buildout Hampers Bird Diversity
A study published in the journal Science reveals that China's rapid expansion of solar power infrastructure has led to a decline in bird diversity across the country. Researchers analyzed policies promoting solar energy alongside bird diversity metrics across 2,344 Chinese counties between 2014 and 2023. The study found that the impact on biodiversity was most noticeable in wealthier, non-arid regions and areas with high numbers of vegetation-nesting birds. The research highlights 'inferior greening', dense but uniform plant growth under solar panels, that lacks the ecological complexity of natural habitats. While the effects per county were modest, the widespread pattern suggests broader environmental concerns.
Notes from Illinois’ Virtual Power Plant Frontier
Illinois is expanding its adoption of virtual power plants (VPPs), with Solrite Energy launching a new program offering residential battery storage for $20 per month. These VPPs allow homeowners to contribute excess energy back to the grid during peak times, helping stabilize the electrical supply. This initiative follows Governor JB Pritzker signing the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, which mandates utility companies to develop VPP programs. Solrite, originally focused on solar installations, has transitioned to managing VPPs across five states, including Illinois, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Texas. Under their model, customers lease batteries and solar panels, paying lower rates for electricity while allowing Solrite to utilize the stored energy to support the grid.
Europe Faces Surging Wildfire Threat, New Research Shows
New research indicates that wildfires in Europe could affect up to 39% more land by the end of the century, even if greenhouse gas emissions decrease significantly. The study, published in Global Change Biology, highlights that while improved fire prevention, early detection, and firefighting efforts can mitigate some damage, Europe cannot fully counteract the increasing risks posed by climate change. Lead author Maik Billing notes that even relatively modest warming of 1.8°C could lead to significant increases in burned areas, particularly in the Mediterranean and parts of Western and Central Europe. Co-authors emphasize that human-driven climate change, primarily from fossil fuel combustion, is intensifying fire risks. They warn that current fire management strategies may not be sufficient against increasingly severe wildfires, as demonstrated by recent extreme fires in France.