The latest from Joan Meiners at azcentral, a column on climate change that publishes weekly
Climate change is a story that will define a generation and shape the planet's future, but it's also a story of what's happening now, in our cities, our neighborhoods and our homes.
Joan Meiners joined The Arizona Republic to help tell that story, to help readers make sense of what's happening, to translate the science and to show that not all is lost. We can still adapt and prepare for the effects of a changing world.
Joan worked on an award-winning series about pollution in New Orleans, and developed an avid following in St. George, Utah, for her reporting about water security. Now each Wednesday, Joan writes another chapter in the story.
She writes about what will happen if the world's nations fail to respond to the threats of a changing climate, but more importantly, she writes about what could happen if the right steps are taken. She draws on the best sources and on her own expertise with a doctorate in ecology.
"Phoenix," she wrote in her first dispatch for The Republic, "with its blistering heat, withering soils and rapid population growth along with some of the best sunsets I've ever seen, is uniquely positioned to be a leader in sustainable building, renewable energy, agricultural advances and the purposeful reintegration of nature into our lives."
If you have questions about the climate, about how it's affecting Arizona and the world around you, send them to Joan at joan.meiners@arizonarepublic.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @beecycles. Meanwhile, she'll be asking the questions to tell the story of what comes next.
"My favorite thing about science and journalism," she wrote, "is that never again can anyone tell me I’m asking too many questions."
Read Joan's latest stories
From Arizona to Japan to Bangladesh, author offers lessons from water management mistakes
Amid usual theatrics, Bill Nye the Science Guy tries to get serious about climate change
Judging extremes: ASU climatologist traces trajectory of weather records in new book
Phoenix touts climate awareness, but hasn't addressed methane levels at city-owned site
What does climate change sound like? Musicians from small island nations share their stories in concert
Water, climate, environmental justice: Bills to watch at the Arizona Legislature in 2024
ASU, Phoenix, others will share $15 million to develop climate, sustainability solutions
Big data and a money tree: How Phoenix decides where to create more shade
Special report: In Yuma, farmworkers' struggle with heat is worsened by inadequate housing
Mayor Kate Gallego on Phoenix's 'hellscape' year and what's in store for 2024
Climate-related books from 2023 that inform, entertain, terrify and inspire
Nobody in Arizona seems to know what's happening with Joe Biden's Climate Corps
Heat records toppled like dominoes this year. How do we know which numbers tell the story?
'We can't be complacent:' Climate report offers mix of familiar warnings, new solutions
In a heat wave, some people wait too long to turn on the AC. Smart data use could help
'Get bitten by the fire': Book explores wildfire's mystique, science in a shifting climate
Arizona loses bid for hydrogen fuel project, researchers vow to push ahead
Corporation Commission reopens 'value of solar' rate discussions despite strong opposition
'You had me at trees': An easy fix for Arizona school shade takes root. But will it grow?
After historic climate ruling, Arizonans renew push to guarantee a clean environment
Special report: Can new building codes help save metro Phoenix from disaster?
Special report: As Arizona builds to solve a housing crisis, will its homes withstand future heat extremes?
Seven miles to remember the Yarnell Hill Fire, and learn the lessons from the land
Hoping to save lives, experts work on new air quality messaging strategies in Phoenix
New book tells the story of water across three ages, offering a path forward
As the Supreme Court debates a Navajo water rights case, climate change adds new questions
Phoenix is not prepared for a simultaneous heat wave and blackout, new research shows
Arizona author charts a course through 1930s science and sexism on the Colorado River
How a Phoenix district's electric school buses could protect kids and help them learn
Bill McKibben's Third Act calls on 'graying' Arizonans to join the environmental movement
The race to produce hydrogen fuels in Arizona is on. It's promising, but not yet funded
Sneezing more? City lights and warming temperatures are leading to longer pollen seasons
Arizona lands $47.5 million to weatherize homes against energy-draining heat, cold
The state climatologist office that almost wasn't, and what it does for Arizona now
'We are walking when we should be sprinting': Report charts escape from climate disaster
With 'Mass for the Endangered,' a composer has written a hymn for climate absolution
'AZ Plant Lady' writes book on desert gardening with more than cactus and rocks
As climate disasters force people to flee, a new book examines the modern migrant quandary
Environmentalists grow frustrated as lawmakers cast shade on bills instead of schools
Is the Super Bowl getting hotter? Temperature trends are rising, especially in Phoenix
Without an energy office, will Arizona get its full share of the Inflation Reduction Act?
From the Roman Empire to the drying West, book takes a long view on climate adaptation
The truth about bees may sting: They've been linked to your life expectancy
Grass for gas? Researchers, businesses weigh options for sustainable aviation fuel
Welcome to a new year on a warming planet, now with 8 billion people
12 truths of food waste and how to eat for the planet this holiday season
Making tree rings sing: Researchers find musical muse in forest climate data
Electric vehicles arrive (silently) at the starting line of rallycar racing. Will climate post the win?
Who should pay for climate change? Finance a focus of climate talks at home and abroad
Green is the Verde: How an Arizona river became a water conservation success story, for now
What do you get when you cross birders with elections? For this group, the goal is to find more environmental voters
The Arizona climate that could have been: How former Gov. Janet Napolitano would put the state back on track
Environmental storyteller Barbara Kingsolver channels the voice of a lost boy in Appalachian coal country
The climate-food connection: How rising temperatures could push produce prices higher and leave farm workers behind.
Staring into science's future: Don't think of deserts as wastelands, researchers say, but as a key to our climate future
Sustainable spending or 'sustainobabble'? A new group of experts will look at how government spending can become climate-friendly.
As wildfire behavior changes, experts work behind the scenes to bring "order from chaos" and protect people and land.
Solar jobs are coming to Arizona, and environmentalists, economists and engineers can't wait
Exertional heat stroke is on the rise for athletes. Could tracking urine be the answer?
Readers always write: How to read the hate mail and still keep hoping for change
Can an 'army of moms' slow climate change to spare their children a fossil fuel future?
A new book explores the human meaning of 'home' and what it will take to defend ours
Will Kyrsten Sinema see the new climate and inflation bill as a good deal for Arizona?
Not-so-natural disasters are on the rise. What in the world is going on?
A study questions the value of cooling centers. A Phoenix official says we need more
How trash at landfills can be recycled into energy as flammable gas.
What the Supreme Court ruling on emissions regulation means for Arizona's climate fight
How can you talk to friends and family about climate change — and climate denial?
How a 3rd-generation fire watcher sees the climate change from her tower in the pines
Forecasting the monsoon is complicated. Climate change made it a whole other game
Climate change is not your fault, but that doesn't mean you're off the hook
COVID showed us how interconnected we are. Will our climate response reflect that?
Why scientists say slowing climate change could help prevent another pandemic
Forests often regenerate after wildfires. Why the climate crisis could change that
How marine heat waves in Hawaii have ripple effects all the way to Arizona
'We don't have a season anymore': How climate change has affected wildfire preparedness
Democracy can lead to climate change solutions, but it may be up to states to act first
We can’t purchase our way to a cooler climate, experts say. Not even on Earth Day
ASU to dedicate $192 million sustainable facility amid full slate of Earth Week events
New book on climate change in national parks pleads for action to save our best idea
Climate report draws an arc toward environmental justice, seeking equitable emissions cuts
Experts say the world 'is at a crossroads,' but there's hope with concrete actions
The EPA released state-specific emissions reports. Arizona isn't on the list
Science needs data to solve problems. Climate change is making that harder
How much of the heat can we blame on the heat island?
The power of the sun, of the people and of politics. The climate depends on all 3
Population growth brings greater climate risks to metro areas, report says, but also hope
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix and climate change: Follow The Arizona Republic's Joan Meiners
