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Even before a child is born in the US, their race plays a huge part in how they'll experience heat and pollution. 

It starts with America's history of racist housing policies that segregated families of color into undesirable neighborhoods – and we can actually see the effects of those policies today: lots of pavement, little green space, and ultimately more heat. Meanwhile, in areas where white families live, the neighborhoods tend to have a lot more trees and shade, which leads to less heat. And as the climate warms, it's black families who are most likely to be stuck in extremely hot areas.

Recent research is showing us that this isn't just about being uncomfortable. Heat has an effect on everything – from pregnancies to our long-term health to our ability to learn.

As part of our environmental justice series, the Guardian's Alvin Chang and Oliver Milman explain how the climate criss and race have become inextricably linked in the US

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Would-be participants in New Zealand’s first emissions unit auction next month can now begin the registration process, NZX said.

COVID-19 has pushed gas prices down, but lack of competition and opacity of price-setting means it won't last long, says the ACCC.

The post COVID offered some relief to gas prices, but cartel will ensure it won’t last long appeared first on RenewEconomy.

BHP is abandoning the thermal coal markets, but sees strong demand for other metals thanks to growth in wind, solar and battery storage.

The post BHP says long goodbye to thermal coal, looks to solar, wind and battery metals appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Tesla has raised the retail price of the Powerwall 2 for the second time in four months, as demand for the 13.5 kWh home battery system continues to outstrip supply.

The post Tesla hikes price of Powerwall home battery, again, in Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.

UNSW to led new research consortium, to advise the NSW government on the opportunities for using excess wind and solar to produce green fuels and chemicals.

The post UNSW to advise NSW government on how to use excess wind and solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.

EDL wins tender to build solar and battery hybrid plant for Jabiru to replace diesel generators operated by uranium mining company.

The post Solar and battery hybrid to power Jabiru as uranium mining stops appeared first on RenewEconomy.

New research fired laser beams on tiger snake scales, and found arsenic was 20-34 times higher in wild wetland snakes than in captive snakes. Damian Lettoof, PhD Candidate, Curtin University Kai Rankenburg, Researcher, Curtin University Monique Gagnon, Researcher, Curtin University Noreen Evans, Professor, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scott Morrison must face down the denialists and do-nothingists on his own side of politics, or set himself, and Australia, up for a series of humiliations on international stage.

The post No point complaining about it, Australia will face carbon levies unless it changes course appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Federal Labor to vote against planned changes to CEFC's investment mandate, saying it does not trust Angus Taylor with expanded powers.

The post “Gas simply not low emissions”: Labor opposes Taylor’s CEFC power grab appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The shark population off Congo-Brazzaville is threatened as desperate fishermen search deeper waters.

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

A massive blackout has hit Texas due to climate-related weather extremes. Renewables are being blamed: it's 2016 all over again.

The post Massive Texas gas failure during climate extremes gets blamed on wind power appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A California-registered compliance offset project is aiming to transition to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) with the lowest carbon intensity score in the transportation sector programme, according to an application posted by state regulator ARB on Friday.

There are good reasons to think that the Liddell, Yallourn, Vales Point coal generators and a couple of coal units in Queensland could all close before 2030.

The post Low prices increase chance of multiple coal generation closures appeared first on RenewEconomy.

European consortium plans to build 95GW of solar and deliver 67GW of electrolysers to deliver green hydrogen at cost parity to fossil fuels.

The post 30 European companies form HyDeal Ambition project to deliver 95GW of solar & 67GW of hydrogen appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Voluntary carbon market (VCM) prices gained slightly this week on continued strong volume, as oil major Shell retired several million offsets just before announcing its strategy to reach net zero emissions through markedly higher carbon credit usage.

EUAs extended their record high for the third straight day on Monday, but soon faded back below €40 as a weaker energy complex weighed and experts doubted higher levels were possible this week.

The real target is China. Australia will be collateral damage. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We discovered 11 (and probably more) new species of stygofauna living in water underground. These animals are usually blind, beautifully translucent and long-limbed. Jenny Davis, Professor, Research Institute for Environment & Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Charles Darwin University Daryl Nielsen, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Gavin Rees, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Stefanie Oberprieler, Research associate, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.