Environmental Defense Fund

05/31/2026

Emergency responders worked to protect threatened communities in Southern California as several brush fires burned last week.

On Santa Rosa Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park, a fire that started on Friday, May 15, had burned 16,000 acres as of Tuesday, according to the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD).

The Sandy Fire, meanwhile, broke out last Monday morning in the Simi Valley area of Ventura County, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). More than 750 firefighters were guarding homes from the blaze by Tuesday morning, with the fire measuring 1,385.6 acres in size, VCFD said.

Footage from NOAA shows smoke and heat from both the Sandy and Santa Rosa Island fires appearing in satellite imagery on Monday.

05/30/2026

ICYMI: Underwater footage from May 12 captured the fascinating moment a giant cuttlefish changed colors as a diver approached, off the coast of the Sydney suburb of Manly.

This video, captured by An Dau, shows the brown fish turning bright yellow within seconds.

The cuttlefish “was moving along the reef in neutral camouflage when it turned directly toward me and erupted into a full chromatic display — glowing brilliant yellow for just a moment before fading back into the kelp,” Dau told Storyful. “A reminder of the extraordinary world we share.”

The species is found in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, parts of Tasmania, and Western Australia, according to the Australian Museum.

05/29/2026

Fighting for clean air, clean water and a livable future can feel exhausting—especially at a time like this.

As environmental protections are rolled back and communities continue facing pollution and climate-fueled disasters, many people are asking: How do we stay engaged without burning out?

We spoke with Zen Buddhist priest and climate scientist Kritee Kanko about taking care of yourself amid climate chaos. Link in comments!

05/29/2026

🤗 🐻 🐻 A pair of adorable bear cubs were seen scaling a tree in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Footage captured by nature enthusiast Toogee Sielsch shows the brave cubs climbing up and down the tree together.

05/29/2026

“Clean energy actually is the cheapest form of energy around and we the consumers should be benefiting from that.”

In backyards and on balconies across the U.S., easy solar installs are lowering monthly power bills by 25% or more when paired with battery storage.

More Americans are using small solar panels in their back yards or balconies as a clean way to cut their electric bills

05/28/2026

"...Toxic forever chemicals have no place in our communities, in our homes or in our bodies.” — Dr. Margot Brown

Yet proposed policy rollbacks by the EPA could weaken protections against these chemicals in our drinking water and would specifically put Black communities at even greater risk.
Safe water shouldn’t depend on your zip code.

Learn what’s at stake: https://fierceforblackwomen.com/2026/05/20/drinking-water-threatened-in-black-communities-by-rollbacks-on-forever-chemicals/

05/28/2026

🌊🐢 A juvenile green sea turtle named Lily J was returned home to Florida waters on World Turtle Day, Saturday, May 23, after suffering injuries back in February.

After receiving care at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, Lily J recovered and was able to be released on World Turtle Day.

“Every day at the Turtle Hospital is turtle day, but on World Turtle Day, the whole globe takes notice of sea turtles. So, what a perfect day to return Lily Jay to her ocean home,” Bette Zirkelbach, General Manager of the Turtle Hospital, said.

05/28/2026

"India is building on sun.”

Fascinating and uplifting look at how India pivoted to a booming solar buildout as its clean energy transition rises to meet increasing demand. The world's largest solar park is set to emerge from one of planet's biggest salt deserts.

While China's push to modernize sparked a surge in burning coal, India is turning to increasingly cheap solar to meet its booming energy needs. Though it faces big hurdles, including a rickety grid, India's solar buildout could soon be a model for other emerging economies.

05/27/2026

Wildlife crossings keep trending as sensible solutions to protect animals and humans. The world's largest is set to open in California with five others planned as more states embrace reconnecting habitats, restoring biodiversity and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions.

While construction continues on the world's largest wildlife crossing in Agoura Hills, planning is underway for five more crossings in the Mojave Desert and over I-15.

05/27/2026

Solar + Batteries are the real MVPs of the grid, according to a new report.

“it’s not the presence of expensive old fossil-fueled power plants that has put the grid in a good position heading into the summer — it’s the rapid expansion of solar and energy storage.” ☀️ 🔋

Nationwide grid reliability has improved since last summer — and new solar and batteries, not aging coal plants, are the main reason.