The tropical shrubs have been spreading north and growing more abundantly as climate change makes temperatures warmer. Scientists are unravelling what that means for coastal habitats.
Climate Change in Texas
As Texans confront rising temperatures, declining water supplies, increasingly severe weather events, sea level rise and more, follow The Texas Tribune’s coverage as we investigate what climate change means for the state’s residents, how cities and communities are adapting, and the politics and policies that will accelerate — or block — climate solutions.
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Climate Change in Texas
Rescued Gulf of Mexico coral in a Galveston aquarium could help the species’ survival
A new report found that coral off Texas’ coast could die off by 2040 because of climate change.
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Climate Change in Texas
Texas will have to cut methane emissions from oil fields under new federal climate rule
The Biden Administration announced a crackdown on methane emissions, a major driver of climate change. Major oil and gas companies also signed on to a voluntary net-zero commitment.
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Climate Change in Texas
Climate change, costly disasters sent Texas homeowner insurance rates skyrocketing this year
Texas rates have increased 22% on average so far in 2023, twice the national rate. More billion-dollar disasters have occurred in Texas this year than any other year on record.
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Climate Change in Texas
Texas board rejects many science textbooks over climate change messaging
The Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education this week rejected most of the proposed textbooks that include climate science for eighth grade students. Five of 12 were approved.
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Climate Change in Texas
Texas could spend federal funds meant to cut carbon emissions on highway projects
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act required Texas’ transportation agency to create a carbon reduction strategy to get $641 million federal dollars. Critics say the plan is unlikely to meaningfully cut greenhouse gasses from the state’s massive transportation sector.
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Climate Change in Texas
Texas economy slows as summers get hotter, Dallas Fed economists say
The summer heat may have cost the state’s economy $24 billion this year, according to Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas economists, who add that Texas is twice as vulnerable to heat-related economic slowdowns than the rest of the country.
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Climate Change in Texas
No water, roads or emergency services: How climate change left a rural neighborhood nearly uninhabitable
In Liberty County, one neighborhood has been slowly abandoned as years of flooding and intense rains prompted a spiral of decline. A struggling buyout program shows the complexities and limitations of “managed retreat” from disaster-prone areas.
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Climate Change in Texas
Texans again asked to conserve power Thursday, the 11th time this summer
A day after declaring emergency conditions for the first time this summer, ERCOT is asking residents to reduce how much power they use between 5 and 9 p.m. Thursday as continued high temperatures push the power grid into tight conditions.
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Climate Change in Texas
Texas just recorded its second hottest summer on record
The average temperature in Texas this summer was 85.3 degrees, putting it behind only 2011 for summer misery.