Arctic ice fails to expand
Arctic sea ice reached its lowest winter maximum on record in 2026, the US National Snow and Ice Data Center confirmed. The annual peak extent of 13.76 million square kilometers on March 13 fell below the previous record low. 'Sea ice in the Northern Hemisphere reached its greatest extent of the 2025-26 season the second week of March and is now decreasing,' wrote climate analyst Rick Thoman. The shrinking ice cap has implications for global weather patterns, polar wildlife, and sea-level rise.
EPA eases coal plant pollution limits
The Trump administration eased limits on coal plant emissions of mercury and other toxins, reversing Obama-era regulations. Environmental groups condemned the move, warning it will increase health risks for communities living near coal-fired power plants. The rollback is part of a broader pattern of deregulation that has accelerated under the current administration, including the repeal of a measure allowing greenhouse gas emissions regulation.
Communities face multiple climate threats
A British Columbia community faces the threat of a glacial lake outburst flood for the third consecutive year, as warming temperatures destabilize glacial formations. In Southern California, cleanup continues after a chemical tank incident, while the Potomac River struggles with e-coli levels after 240 million gallons of sewage poured into the waterway. The Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to be milder than normal due to El Niño, offering a temporary reprieve from the recent pattern of intense storms.