Environment articles
Get unbiased data and visuals on energy, climate, natural resources, and environmental protection.
How active has the 2025 hurricane season been?
Seven tropical storms and four hurricanes so far in 2025. In the Atlantic Ocean, tropical storms and hurricanes are the most dangerous designations of storms that are collectively known as tropical cyclones. The average number of such storms per year for the prior decade (2015 to 2024) was 18. That’s the highest 10-year average on record, based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data dating back to 1851.
Updates weeklyHow many energy jobs are there in the US?
In 2024, 8.5 million people had energy-related jobs, roughly 5.4% of all jobs worked that year. For scale, that’s nearly the populations of Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio and San Diego combined. Energy jobs include a spectrum of roles such as engineers and drill operators to architects and auto mechanics. They work across many industries including electric power generation, transmission, distribution, storage, fuels, energy efficiency, and motor vehicles. The sector lost nearly 10% of total jobs in 2020’s pandemic-driven economic downturn. As of 2024, the energy sector has surpassed the pre-pandemic peak (in 2019) by nearly 200,000 jobs. Which states have the most energy jobs?Texas leads the nation in energy jobs, employing over 990,000 individuals in the energy sector. That’s roughly eight out of every 100 workers statewide. Oil and natural gas production alone employed more than 289,000 people.
Oct 9, 2025How much does FEMA spend on disaster response?
Around $31.7 billion per year on average, according to the last five years of data. In 2024, that would have been around 0.47% of the federal budget. This funding goes toward direct aid for individuals, debris removal, repairing public infrastructure, and projects that reduce future disaster risks.
Updates monthlyWhat are the main sources of US greenhouse gas emissions?
In 2022, the transportation sector released more greenhouse gas emissions than any other: more than 1.8 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions, or 28.4% of emissions overall. Since 1990, emissions have increased for the transportation, agricultural, commercial and residential sectors. Conversely, emissions from the electric power, industrial and US territories have declined. Power plants stood out among the highest greenhouse gas-emitting facilities reported to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2023: — 82 of the top 100 reporting facilities were power generation sites. In September 2025, the EPA proposed a rule change to eliminate greenhouse gas emission reporting until 2034.How much greenhouse gas does the US emit?In 2022, the US emitted 6.3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent metric tons. That’s 3.0% lower than measured in 1990, and 15.8% lower than 2007, when the US hit its recorded peak of 7,530 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. For context, a typical passenger vehicle in the US emits an average of 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Emissions in 2022 were equivalent to nearly 1.4 billion cars. While total emissions declined by 3.0% from 1990 to 2022, greenhouse gas emissions per person decreased by 27.3%.
Oct 1, 2025What are the top energy production sources in the US?
For 61 years, the United States has used more energy than it’s produced. That changed in 2019, when production surpassed consumption — and it’s remained that way since.
Sep 25, 2025How has US energy consumption changed over time?
What powers the US? Petroleum. In 2024, petroleum was the nation’s most-consumed energy source, accounting for over a third (38%) of all energy usage. Natural gas was also over a third (36%). The rest of the country’s energy came from nuclear electric power, coal, and renewable energy, each accounting for 8% to 9% of consumption.What kinds of energy does the US use?CoalCoal consumption was on par with natural gas as recently as 2006. But a more efficient coal type, plus cheaper energy competition, has caused coal consumption to drop by 65% since its peak in 2005. Coal consumption is now at similar levels to nuclear energy, and renewables, all between 8 and 9 quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs) annually. In 2005, coal consumption was 22.8 BTUs per year.
Sep 19, 2025How many disasters are declared in the US?
On average, 164 disasters are declared per year. This figure is based on the most recent five full years of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data.
Updates monthlyWhat does the National Park Service (NPS) do?
The National Park Service (NPS) is a subdivision of the US Department of the Interior responsible for managing and preserving national parks, monuments, and other historical sites across the United States. The agency's primary mission is to conserve the natural and cultural resources within these areas for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of current and future generations. It also works to protect the ecological integrity of these sites while providing recreational opportunities for the public. It was established in 1916.
Updates annuallyWhat does the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) do?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a subdivision of the Department of Commerce responsible for understanding and predicting changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. NOAA shares this knowledge and information with others and helps conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. It was established in 1970.
Updates annuallyWhat does the Forest Service (FS) do?
The Forest Service (FS) is a subdivision of the US Department of Agriculture responsible for managing public lands in national forests and grasslands. The agency's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of these lands to meet the needs of present and future generations. It provides leadership in the protection, management, and use of the nation's forest resources, ensuring their long-term sustainability. It was established in 1905.
Updates annuallyWhat does the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) do?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a subdivision of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for coordinating the federal government’s response to natural disasters, emergencies, and other large-scale incidents. The agency provides financial assistance, logistical support, and planning resources to help individuals, communities, and governments prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. It also works to strengthen nationwide emergency management capabilities through training, partnerships, and risk mitigation efforts. It was established in 1979.
Updates annuallyWhat does the Department of the Interior (DOI) do?
The Department of the Interior (Interior, DOI) is an executive branch agency responsible for managing federal lands, natural resources, and cultural heritage. Its functions include overseeing national parks and other protected lands, regulating natural resource extraction, upholding tribal relations and trust responsibilities, and preserving the environment. It was established in 1849.
Updates annuallyWhat does the Department of Agriculture (USDA) do?
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for developing and executing federal policies on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues. Its functions include supporting farmers and ranchers, ensuring food safety, promoting agricultural trade, conserving natural resources and the environment, and addressing hunger both domestically and internationally. It was established in 1862.
Updates annuallyWhat does the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) do?
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a subdivision of the US Department of the Interior responsible for administering public lands in the United States. The agency manages various resources and activities on these lands, including energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, and conservation. It aims to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. It was established in 1946.
Updates annuallyJust the Facts about US energy use, production, and environmental impact
Wind, fossil fuel, solar: Get the facts on how America keeps its lights on. Plus, some good environmental news.
Are major natural disasters increasing?
The number of natural weather disasters with damages of more than a billion dollars has increased over the last forty years. From 1980 to 2024, the US averaged 9 events per year, while the annual average for the most recent 5 years is 23.The National Centers for Environmental Information has kept track of billion-dollar natural disasters since 1980 and cites increased exposure, vulnerability, and climate change as reasons for the increase.Are billion-dollar natural disasters becoming more frequent?Of the 10 years with the most natural disasters, nine were in the last decade.Since 1980, there have been 402 natural weather disasters in the US with total costs over $1 billion, including:203 severe storms67 tropical cyclones (including hurricanes)44 floods32 droughts24 winter storms23 wildfiresand nine freezesIn total, these disasters cost $2.9 trillion and took the lives of 16,918 people.
Jul 7, 2025Where do tornadoes do the most damage?
Texans have coped with the highest death and injury tolls from tornados in recent years, while Floridians have dealt with the most property damage. Which states have the most tornadoes? Between 2020 and 2024, every state except Hawaii recorded at least one tornado, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data. Texas, the largest state in the continental US by land area, recorded 516, for an annual average of 103.2. The states with the next-highest totals were Illinois (491) and Iowa (462) while the largest state overall, Alaska, had one.
May 2, 2025How much land do wildfires burn in the US?
Wildfires burn over 7 million acres of land in the US annually, with fire suppression costing an average of $3.0 billion according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center. How many wildfires happen in the US? Since 1983, federal fire agencies have tracked 2.9 million wildfires across 216 million combined acres. That’s more than twice the area of California. From 2014 to 2023, an annual average of 62,277 wildfires have burned an average of 7.02 million acres. Total annual acres eclipsed 10 million three times in that period: in 2015, 2017, and 2020.
Jan 8, 2025Is the US a bigger oil importer or exporter?
In 2023, the US exported more crude oil and petroleum products than it imported.Petroleum and petroleum product exports totaled about 10.15 million barrels per day (b/d), while imports were about 8.53 million b/d resulting in a -1.7 million b/d difference.Crude oil is a fossil fuel. Petroleum products are made from refined crude oil and include things like jet fuel and gasoline.Prior to October 2019, the US consistently imported more petroleum and crude oil than it exported. October 2019 was the first month the exports exceeded imports. It’s been a net exporter in all but seven months since then.
Sep 24, 2024Did releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve impact gas prices?
Beginning in November 2021, President Joe Biden’s administration has used the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to combat rising gas prices. In March of 2022, the administration announced a new release of 180 million barrels of oil into the supply chain, the most in the reserve’s history. As a result, the total amount of oil in the SPR decreased by more than 20% between November 2021 and July 2022.A report released by the Treasury Department indicates that the effort did initially impact gas prices.While the SPR’s main function is to protect the country from oil shortages, past sales of crude oil from the reserve were used to generate revenue for the federal government. These types of sales have increased since 2017.
Apr 6, 2023