Report: $13.4 billion needed to protect Tampa Bay from rising seas and frequent flooding

A new report released from the Tampa Bay Partnership Tuesday found the region would need to spend nearly $13.4 billion to protect against rising seas and frequent flooding by 2070.

DEP signs off on plan to shut down Piney Point for good by 2024

Last week, The Department of Environmental Protection signed off on his closure plan with a planned closing date by the end of 2024.

Climate change: Earth will be 'unlivable' if emissions don't fall faster, UN report warns

A new report from the UN’s top body of climate scientists is warning that temperatures will go beyond a key danger point unless countries worldwide cut greenhouse emissions faster than they are currently committed to doing.

Flamingo that escaped Kansas zoo 17 years ago spotted in Texas

Wildlife officials say one of two flamingos that escaped from a Kansas zoo during a storm 17 years ago has been spotted on the coast of Texas.

Invasive acid-spewing crazy ants population control possible with fungus, scientists say

The tawny crazy ant creates a formic acid as venom to protect itself from other ant species. The insects are able to spew the acid from their abdomen but are not poisonous, scientists said.

Microplastics found in human blood for the 1st time, study says

Microplastics have been found in our food, drinks and even in human placentas. Now, researchers say they have found the first-ever evidence of microplastics in human blood.

Satellite images show New York-sized ice shelf collapse in East Antarctica

Scientists are concerned because an ice shelf the size of New York City collapsed in East Antarctica, an area that had long been thought to be stable.

Longer allergy season possible due to climate change, study suggests

The seasonal sniffling and sneezing could last longer for allergy sufferers. A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications suggested that climate change will lengthen allergy season. 

Florida Panhandle wildfire containment improving with more rainfall

Conditions in the Florida Panhandle continue to improve for firefighters working to contain the Bertha Swamp Fire that has consumed more than 34,000 acres at its most intense.

Turtle escape-hatches now required in more shrimp nets across U.S.

Boats that are at least 40 feet long and use skimmer nets are required to have escape hatches for sea turtles installed in their nets.

Nearly 80% of Amazon rainforest shows signs of loss, study finds

Scientists have long been warning that extreme weather would cause calamity in the future but it appears that the future is already here.

Corn ethanol may be worse for the planet than gasoline, new study says

Corn-based ethanol, which has been lauded as a green replacement for some fuels, is more detrimental to the ecosystem than the gasoline it has replaced, a study led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison has found.

Globs of grease, baby wipes form 'fatburg,' cause sewage spills in Tampa

So-called fatburgs are causing major sewage backups in parts of Tampa. Officials are warning residents not to pour grease down drains, and not to flush any type of wipes -- even the "flushable" ones -- to prevent more wastewater spills from happening.

Tampa neighborhood on alert after lead warning

Hillsborough County air quality officials are cautioning residents near a Tampa factory not to spend a lot of time outside after monitors picked up on higher lead levels.

Florida lawmakers aim to cut solar power energy buybacks by 75%

Recent polling shows a bill that would make significant changes to the way utility bills are calculated for customers with solar power is widely unpopular.