Climate crisis threatens democracy while AI datacenters underestimate emissions; major policy shifts on clean energy and environmental protection dominate today's climate and environment news.

Climate-related natural hazards disrupted 23 elections across 18 countries in 2024, with heatwaves, floods and wildfires posing a rising threat to democratic processes globally, according to new research findings.

UK government vastly underestimated the carbon emissions impact of AI datacenters, with revised figures increasing concerns that energy-intensive facilities will significantly worsen the climate emergency.

Nearly half of US children are breathing dangerous levels of air pollution amid the Trump EPA's expansive rollback of environmental protections, according to an American Lung Association report.

Federal judge blocks Trump administration restrictions on wind and solar projects, halting a policy that would have given senior officials direct sign-off authority over federal clean energy initiatives.

US Supreme Court sides with Michigan in its battle to shut down the aging Line 5 pipeline beneath a Great Lakes channel, resolving a contentious legal dispute over energy infrastructure and environmental protection.

Republican lawmakers attempt to shield big oil from climate lawsuits through new House and Senate bills, prompting climate experts to warn the legislation will protect polluters at the cost of climate action.

California's $114 million wildlife bridge project nears completion despite criticism from the right, demonstrating a major infrastructure commitment to allow animals to safely cross busy freeways.

Research finds that criminalizing direct action climate protests in the UK is counterproductive, with a study of 1,300 campaigners showing arrests and jail terms increase activist determination to continue demonstrations.

Gene therapy becomes first approved FDA treatment enabling children with a rare form of deafness to hear, marking a significant medical breakthrough announced Thursday.