FEATURED STORY
As more Kansas Citians embrace native lawns, local codes try to keep up
Homeowners eager for a lower-maintenance, planet-friendlier lawns are navigating a fine line between going more natural without drawing the wrath of code inspectors or neighbors who see prairie plants as weeds that threaten their home values.
Midwest heat wave is causing utility bills to soar. Here’s how to find help
The recent Midwest heat wave was “not typical,” but hot summer temperatures in Kansas City and beyond have people worried about their energy costs and utility bills.
Air quality warnings have spiked in Kansas City. Here’s what it means for our health
At KC CARE Health Centers, more people of all ages have been coming in lately with symptoms associated with seasonal allergies — uncharacteristic for this time of year — and worsening symptoms of asthma. Sarah Dashwood, a physician with the center, said this concerning uptick has occurred within the last couple of weeks. The increase…
Power surge: KC won’t penalize energy use violators
For years, Kansas City has focused on reducing energy consumption among the largest contributors. But it is struggling to get building owners to cooperate.
Where does KC’s new recycling program leave apartment residents?
This month, Kansas City began rolling out its new recycling program by delivering carts with lids and wheels to houses across the city.
But in the fine print, the city’s recycling website says that apartment buildings with seven or more units will not be receiving a recycling cart.
Missouri Republicans go after ‘woke’ investing to prevent state funds from being used in the fight against climate change
Some Missouri officeholders want to make sure that state funds aren’t used to promote “woke political agendas.” An effort is underway to ban state involvement with banks that prioritize climate action or other socially driven investments. Conservative legislators have joined peers in other Republican-run states in a movement against environmental, social and governance investing. Known…
The growing green jobs industry could mean more jobs for Kansas Citians
Before securing a position as a manager at KC Can Compost, a nonprofit dedicated to reshaping Kansas City’s approach to environmental and social causes, Chris Shelar was unhoused off and on for eight years. Now 60, Shelar lived in outdoor spaces and panhandled for change to get by. Eventually, he found steady work as a…
Wind turbines and solar panels can hurt birds and bats. A Missouri group hopes to help
For Mary Nemecek, investing in renewable energy is the right step toward reducing the effects of climate change. As the head of conservation for the Burroughs Audubon Society of Kansas City, Nemecek wants to save birds from the effects of climate change, which is affecting their migratory patterns, and in some cases, threatening extinction. But…
How new building codes could help fight climate change
William Davies thinks action on climate change is urgent, and adopting new building codes in Kansas City would be a step in the right direction. “Folks are looking to Kansas City for leadership and we shouldn’t shy away from that,” said Davies, an organizer with the Sierra Club. “We’re not saying that this is the…
Climate change, habitat loss — local groups are helping birds survive these threats
When Mary Nemecek learned a group of Arctic birds weren’t able to breed because warm weather never arrived in Greenland, she wondered if she would ever see a dunlin, a kind of Arctic shorebird, again. “I feel like we’re sitting on a precipice where there are some of these species that are fragile, and they’re…
Meet the young activists pushing for KCMO climate accountability
When Alex Teasley found out Kansas City, Missouri, was prioritizing action on climate change, they were hopeful. Teasley, 17, is a part of Sunrise Movement KC, a local chapter of the national nonprofit organization, which was founded in 2017 shortly before an international rise in climate change protests. The chapter advocates for the Green New…
Foxes, possums and deer, oh my! KC experts advise how to live with street critters this breeding season
The Kansas City area is home to more than 2 million people, driving to work, tending to lawns and gardens and enjoying parks and green spaces. As the region grows, so does the population of urban wildlife in KC that simultaneously thrives on cohabitation with human beings while also facing shrinking habitat. Under patios, in…
How climate change affects tornado season — and how it doesn’t
“Especially here, there’s so much variability from year to year to what causes our weather,” Bowman said. “I don’t think you can draw any kind of conclusion on any one, two or three years. You have to look at a multi-decade study.”
During severe weather, language and ability barriers can increase dangers
Colin Olenick, legislative liaison for the Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas, advocates for people with disabilities in a variety of areas, including emergency preparedness. Olenick uses a wheelchair, and he says he is fortunate not to have faced a dangerous situation in severe weather.
Did the weather alert system do enough during Wednesday’s tornado?
Preliminary results from the National Weather Service show that an EF-1 tornado occurred in Johnson and Jackson counties, with 100 mph winds and a 14 mile-long track.
Missouri ranks 7th in electric vehicle use, but access to charging remains a key barrier
Beto Lugo-Martinez is a grassroots activist who advocates for clean air. A big part of his work is fighting the expansion of “gas guzzling” vehicles and making sure that historically underserved communities receive infrastructure updates, partly to encourage driving an electric vehicle in Kansas City. Kansas City is no exception to the growing nationwide popularity…
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