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 Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 75
80/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
92
Articles
92
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Italy's Top Diplomat Cancels U.S. Trip As Meloni Slams Trump's Claim She 'Begged' For A Photo With Him
Hope for coral reefs destroyed by climate change.
US tells states to deal with unemployment fraud -- or face penalties
The Best Way To Keep Data Centers From Driving Up Electricity Costs
Why Carbon Capture Can’t Conceivably Solve Climate Change
Environmental Defenders Remain Among World’s Most Targeted Activists
A Midwest Mayor Joins London Climate Week as a ‘Rational Optimist’ Who Aims to Get Things Done
The Hottest World Cup in History
Trump Admin Guts Vital Sea Monitoring, "Tears Out the Eyes and Ears of Science": David Helvarg
Recent coverage
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
List of Slavery Signs Trump Can Remove From National Parks After Court Win
A federal appeals court in the United States has temporarily blocked a lower court order that required the National Park Service (NPS) to reinstate exhibits on topics like slavery, civil rights, and climate change, which were removed under the Trump administration. The ruling, issued by the First Circuit Court of Appeals on July 2, pauses the reinstatement process until further legal proceedings conclude. The lower court had previously ruled that the removal of these exhibits constituted censorship and sanitization of historical narratives. The decision follows the Trump administration’s executive orders aimed at reshaping historical content in national parks, leading to the removal of exhibits deemed 'concerning' by the Department of the Interior. A coalition of organizations, including Democracy Forward, challenged the removals, arguing they amounted to political censorship. While the administration maintains that the changes aim to present a more complete historical narrative, critics argue that the process undermines the educational purpose of national parks.
Around 145 million at risk as U.S. braces for holiday week heat wave; wildfires continue to rage in the West
An intense heatwave is expected to affect approximately 145 million people across the eastern United States during the July Fourth holiday week, with temperatures projected to rise into the upper 90s and 100s. Heat index values could reach 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting heat alerts from the Midwest to Florida and across the Northeast and New England. Cities such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Chicago are among those at risk. Officials, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, have issued warnings about the dangers of extreme heat, emphasizing the importance of staying indoors, using air conditioning, and checking on vulnerable individuals. Cooling centers are being made available to assist residents. Meanwhile, wildfires continue to rage in the western United States, with new fires erupting in Utah and Colorado, and three firefighters tragically losing their lives while battling these blazes.
Trump Claimed to Run Venezuela. After Earthquakes, He’s Walking That Back.
Following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, U.S. President Donald Trump initially asserted that the U.S. would 'run' Venezuela, declaring 'we're in charge.' However, after two major earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing significant casualties and destruction, Trump shifted to offering limited humanitarian assistance rather than asserting direct control. A U.S. government official suggested that Trump's response does not reflect the extent of U.S. influence over Venezuela, which they describe as a 'vassal state.' Meanwhile, Venezuelan American organizations and progressive foreign policy groups plan to request substantial, unconditional humanitarian aid from the Trump administration, citing U.S. responsibility for the crisis caused by sanctions and military actions. These groups argue that U.S. aid must match the scale of the harm inflicted. Trump has previously claimed that the U.S. has profited significantly from Venezuela's oil resources, recovering war costs 28 times over, but critics highlight economic analyses indicating that U.S. policies have exacerbated Venezuela's struggles.
California’s First Carbon Capture Project Is Up and Running. Environmentalists Are Still Trying To Stop It.
California Resources Corporation (CRC), the state's largest oil company, has completed its first operational carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, injecting carbon dioxide into underground reservoirs. This marks a significant step for CCS technology in the U.S., as California finalized regulations allowing carbon pipelines, potentially expanding the feasibility of such projects across the state. Despite regulatory hurdles, legal challenges, and skepticism from environmental groups, the project represents a test case for broader adoption of CCS. Supporters argue these developments are crucial for addressing climate change, while critics remain concerned about the effectiveness and scalability of carbon capture solutions.
As America Celebrates 250th, Murkiness Surrounds Trump-Backed Planning Fund
This article reports on the involvement of a Florida mining company, Mosaic Co., in the planning of the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations, which are being organized by a Trump-backed group called Freedom 250. Mosaic, which produces phosphate and potash for agricultural fertilizers, is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand a waste pile at its Riverview facility, raising environmental concerns due to the potential risks associated with phosphogypsum, a radioactive and toxic waste product. The report highlights that Mosaic, along with other corporations like Chevron and ExxonMobil, is contributing undisclosed funds to the event planning, suggesting possible influence over regulatory decisions. The article criticizes the lack of transparency in these financial contributions and notes that the Trump administration has allocated nearly $103 million in contracts to a network of politically aligned entities. The piece also contrasts Freedom 250 with the bipartisan America250 initiative, which has been preparing for the anniversary for a decade.
Drone Delivery Could Cut Pollution. Can Communities Live With the Noise?
The article discusses the growing issue of noise pollution caused by Amazon's Prime Air delivery drones in Richardson, Texas. Jonathan Pace, a local resident, used a drone tracker to monitor the frequency and proximity of drone flights, finding them to be louder and more persistent than expected. While companies argue that electric drones offer a cleaner alternative to traditional delivery methods, the experience in Richardson highlights community concerns about noise and privacy. Amazon has adjusted flight paths and altitudes in response, but residents remain dissatisfied. Researchers note that optimizing drone performance for environmental benefits often involves compromises that increase noise and visibility, raising questions about the broader acceptance of drone delivery systems.
Heat Wave Politics: GOP Leaders Deride Calls to Conserve
In response to an extreme heatwave affecting over 165 million people across the U.S., New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to conserve energy by setting thermostats to 78°F and reducing unnecessary electricity use. This recommendation aligned with guidance from ConEd, the state’s largest utility company. However, the suggestion sparked backlash from conservative figures such as former Governor Nikki Haley and GOP-aligned commentator Vivek Ramaswamy, who criticized the measures as indicative of 'socialism.' Despite record energy production levels, grid operators implemented emergency load reductions due to overwhelming demand for cooling. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between energy conservation efforts and policies favoring increased fossil fuel production, particularly under the Trump administration. Historical precedents, including past heatwaves and blackouts, underscore the recurring challenges of managing urban energy demands during extreme weather.
Echoes of the Past in Pennsylvania Coal Towns’ Fight Against Data Centers
In Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, residents gathered to voice opposition to the proposed 'Project Hazelnut,' a large data center complex planned on a coal-rich plateau. The township supervisors voted to temporarily halt data center applications for 180 days while updating zoning laws to impose stricter regulations. This move follows similar efforts at the state level, including a Senate bill aiming to block data center development for three years. Over 60 such projects have emerged in Pennsylvania in the past year, many facing local resistance due to concerns about health risks, environmental impact, and rapid industrialization. The opposition reflects broader anxieties rooted in the region's history of resource extraction and pollution, particularly from the coal industry, which left lasting scars on the environment and economy. Recent polling indicates strong local opposition to data centers, with 33% of residents in the area strongly opposing their development.
Smart Thermostats Will Soon Come to the Rescue During Heatwaves
An upcoming program in the Chicago area will allow utilities to remotely adjust smart thermostats during heatwaves to reduce electricity demand, potentially avoiding the need for new power plants. Approved by Illinois regulators, the initiative will begin in May 2027 and involves ComEd managing a smart thermostat program where customers bring their own devices. Participants can earn payments for allowing adjustments, with compensation estimated around $60 annually. The program aims to create one of the largest virtual power plants in the U.S., leveraging existing smart thermostats to manage grid demand. Testimony suggests over 1 million smart thermostats may already be in use in the service area, capable of providing significant energy savings.
Rights of Nature Laws Are Coming Up Against Legal Systems Designed for Destruction
A recent report by the Stockholm Environment Institute highlights that despite landmark legal recognitions of rivers as legal entities in Colombia and Bangladesh, these waterways continue to face pollution and degradation. The study argues that legal personhood alone is insufficient to protect ecosystems, emphasizing the need for systemic changes such as empowering Indigenous communities, shifting policies away from resource extraction, and ensuring enforcement of environmental laws. Researchers point out that existing legal frameworks prioritize corporate interests over nature, creating an imbalance that hinders effective conservation efforts. The findings suggest that while the 'rights of nature' movement has gained traction globally, translating legal recognition into tangible environmental benefits remains a challenge.
EU observers back Colombia vote count amid challenge to results
The European Union's election observation mission confirmed the transparency and efficiency of Colombia's vote-counting process in the recent presidential runoff election, despite challenges raised by President Gustavo Petro and his ally, progressive candidate Iván Cepeda. The EU team, composed of around 150 observers, found no irregularities during their monitoring of both the May first-round and the June runoff election, where conservative candidate Abelardo de la Espriella led by approximately 1 percentage point. Petro and Cepeda have disputed the results, alleging fraud and requesting recounts at over 30,000 polling stations. Over 26 million voters participated in the runoff, with many opting for a third 'no-name' choice or casting blank ballots. The election comes amid concerns over potential renewed internal conflict, with both candidates proposing differing approaches to prevent past levels of violence. The EU mission will continue observing the recount and plans to release a final report in September.
A New Mexico Town Is Running Dry. An Immigration Detention Center Is Its Biggest Water Customer.
Estancia, a small town in New Mexico, is facing a severe water crisis due to prolonged drought and overuse of groundwater. The town has declared a water emergency and is importing water to maintain its infrastructure while reducing water sales to the Torrance County Detention Facility, a federal immigration detention center operated by CoreCivic. This facility, which can hold up to 800 people, is the town's largest commercial water customer. Despite claims by CoreCivic that contingency measures have been implemented, local officials and residents express concerns about the impact of the detention center on water availability. The situation highlights broader issues of groundwater depletion in the region, with experts noting that continued overpumping will lead to further declines in the Estancia Basin aquifer. The town is seeking state assistance to drill a new well and has faced criticism for delays in addressing the crisis.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
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