Nathan Rott
Nathan Rott is a correspondent on NPR's National Desk, where he focuses on environment issues and the American West.
Based at NPR West in Culver City, California, Rott spends a lot of his time on the road, covering everything from breaking news stories like California's wildfires to in-depth issues like the management of endangered species and many points between.
Rott owes his start at NPR to two extraordinary young men he never met. As the first recipient of the Stone and Holt Weeks Fellowship in 2010, he aims to honor the memory of the two brothers by carrying on their legacy of making the world a better place.
A graduate of the University of Montana, Rott prefers to be outside at just about every hour of the day. Prior to working at NPR, he worked a variety of jobs including wildland firefighting, commercial fishing, children's theater teaching, and professional snow-shoveling for the United States Antarctic Program. Odds are, he's shoveled more snow than you.
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Buckling roads in the Pacific Northwest are just one example of how climate extremes can damage all kinds of infrastructure. President Biden wants to make it more resilient to heat, floods and storms.
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Scientists have long thought some of the carnage from the 2012 hurricane might be attributable to a warming climate. New research calculates the additional flooding due to rising sea levels. -
To bolster U.S. preparedness for a warming world and to create jobs, President Biden wants to retool and relaunch one of the most celebrated U.S. government programs, first established by FDR. -
One of President Biden's most popular infrastructure proposals hearkens back to FDR's New Deal. A Civilian Climate Corps would aim to tackle climate change while caring for public lands.
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President Biden's Earth Day summit with 40 global leaders is an attempt to reassert U.S. leadership on the world stage. The White House hopes bolder pledges to act can avoid the worst climate impacts. -
Sea level rise is threatening billions in coastal property. A California lawmaker is proposing a novel way to retreat from the threat: buying and renting out properties as long as they're habitable.
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Her historic confirmation is also symbolic, as the agency was long a tool of oppression against Indigenous peoples. Haaland will be key to President Biden's ambitious efforts to combat climate change. -
At work every day, Agnes Boisvert attends to ICU patients "gasping for air" and dying from COVID-19. But communicating that harsh reality to her skeptical community has been a challenge.
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In Southern California, pollutants from wildfire smoke caused up to a 10% increase in hospital admissions. Researchers say there's a need for better air monitoring and public health programs.
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Wildfires are burning more frequently and intensely in a warming world, making them harder to put out. Some fire agencies are expanding support as they see increased cases of anxiety and depression.
