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Syris Valentine

Syris Valentine is an essayist and freelance journalist with a focus on climate and social justice. Outside of his newsletter “Just Progress,” his work has appeared in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Grist, and elsewhere.

Is the Drought in the Southwest Permanent?

New models foretell more dry years ahead

December 3, 2025

Is the Show Finally Over for These Whales and Dolphins?

They were bred to entertain in a now-shuttered marine park. Now they need to be rescued.

July 11, 2025

The Weird Cooling Effect of Wildfires

Smoke and dust from fires could block the sun, but that’s not necessarily a good thing

June 25, 2025

A Dangerous Kind of Weather

Thirstwaves are drying out croplands

May 22, 2025

As Mountains Rise, Biodiversity Blooms

Steeper, faster, and higher peaks make more species

April 23, 2025

Rockets Are Blasting the Environment

At launch sites, rockets are leaving a trail of damage to wildlife, vegetation, and water

March 3, 2025

The New Climate Math on Hurricanes

For the first time, we can calculate how much climate change impacts a single storm’s severity.

November 27, 2024

When Pollution Brings Snow

Metals and minerals from industry can trigger snowfall over hundreds of miles.

November 14, 2024

A Buffer Zone for Trees

How frosty pockets in valleys could help protect some trees against climate change.

May 10, 2024

Tropical Forests in Big Trouble

Over a third of all species of trees on the planet may face extinction.

January 24, 2024

No Fish, No Food

How warming oceans could deplete nutrition for millions in the tropics.

November 3, 2023