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As Natural Disasters Expand, a Disaster-Tracking App Is Booming
E.U. Proposes Changes to Emissions Trading System
National Academies Report Backs Climate Change Attribution Science
Burning Houses to Save Houses
Trump Attacks National Academies Over Climate Chapter in Judgesβ Manual

Β© David Coleman/Alamy
As Natural Disasters Expand, a Disaster-Tracking App Is Booming

Β© Joel Angel Juarez/Associated Press
E.U. Proposes Changes to Emissions Trading System

Β© Nadja Wohlleben/Reuters
National Academies Report Backs Climate Change Attribution Science

Β© Stephane Mahe/Reuters
Burning Houses to Save Houses

Β© Will Crooks for The New York Times
Google-backed satellites for wildfire detection launch as smoke chokes US, Canada
As smoke from hundreds of burning wildfires spread across Canada and the United States, the first three operational satellites in the Google-backed FireSat program successfully launched into orbit. The satellites will begin providing wildfire detection capable of spotting even small fires in the United States, Australia, and Europe before the end of the year.
The launch of the microsatellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on July 7, 2026 marks a transition to βinitial operational capabilityβ for the FireSat constellation managed by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance. After a three-month testing period, the three satellites will begin actively providing data to fire agencies while covering every fire-prone region on Earth at least twice per day.
FireSat represents the first satellite constellation purpose-built for detecting wildfires, including spotting smaller fires that other satellites may miss. The satellites were designed by California-based satellite manufacturer Muon Space and have received over $15 million from Google to support initial deployment. Other notable financial supporters include the Bezos Earth Fund that committed $26 million.


Β© Muon Space
An Extraordinary White House Meeting
An Extraordinary White House Meeting

Β© Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times
The Wildfire Researchers Who Burn Houses Down on Purpose
Canada Wildfire Air Pollution and Heat Wave Combo Pose Heightened Health Risks
Roger Worthington Is Suing Over a Heat Wave
Roger Worthington Is Suing Over a Heat Wave

Β© Michael Hanson for The New York Times
Advanced Recycling Hits a Rough Patch

Β© Maddie McGarvey for The New York Times
E.P.A. Moves to Loosen Limits on Pollution From Trucks

Β© Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Trumpβs Plans for Nuclear Power Lurch Ahead

Β© Josh Edelson/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images