The federal government is gathering public feedback on proposed revisions to air-quality standards for soot pollution.

Environmental voices in the Midwest and elsewhere say they show promise but need to be stronger. For the first time in a decade, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed updating the standard for soot, fine particulate matter linked to illnesses like asthma and heart disease. The proposal reduces the annual standard from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to a level between nine and 10 micrograms.

Elizabeth Hauptman, Midwest organizer for the group Moms Clean Air Force, said it would have positive effects, but worries it will not be enough to protect the health of her son with asthma.

"He misses out on summer camps, outdoor basketball games and swim meets, or barbecues with family because the air quality is just too bad," Hauptman explained.

The EPA said the plan reflects the latest health data and scientific evidence, but it is accepting feedback based on other suggestions as well. Some in the manufacturing industry said they are already leading the way to improve air quality and do not need additional rules. The agency held public hearings this week and is accepting public comments until March 28.

An independent scientific advisory committee for the EPA had recommended a standard between eight and 10 micrograms per cubic meter.

Patrick Drupp, director of climate policy for the Sierra Club, thinks it is what the agency should use.

"The EPA could save up to 20,000 lives per year, based on their own science and their own analysis," Drupp pointed out. "Adopting a more stringent standard, going from the low end of what they proposed of nine to what we're asking for -- of no higher than eight -- can save an additional 4,000 lives."

The group added industrial sites and highways emitting soot pollution are often located near marginalized communities, which perpetuate environmental injustice. And University of Minnesota researchers found other concerning trends affecting air quality, including animal agriculture and wood-burning stoves.

A group of Florida middle schoolers is tackling water pollution in an unconventional way - by collecting scientific samples while surfing and skateboarding. The SurfSkate Science program in South Florida, featured in the upcoming CBS series "The Visioneers," trains students to monitor water quality along coastal areas, with their data contributing to a national NOAA database. The Sunshine State's struggle with water quality and climate impacts has made it a laboratory for grassroots solutions, so intrepid host Zay Harding dives into a mission of discovery highlighting those working to protect the planet.

"There has got to be a way to make this exciting for them; how do we tie in skating or surfing with this? And so they are letting their kids do this and bring their friends and then educating them to being aware of it, and that's really what the whole series is about," he explained.

While this series circles the globe showcasing climate solutions - from Norway to Arizona - it keeps coming back to Florida, featuring three innovations, and that's no accident. With rising seas and record storms, Florida has become a lab for climate survival tactics. "The Visioneers" premieres Saturday at 9 a.m. EDT.

The series also features Miami-based Kind Designs, a startup fighting flooding with 3D-printed "living seawalls" that mimic mangrove roots. Harding said the founder, Ukrainian immigrant Anya Freeman, was inspired after years of wading through Miami's flooded streets.

"She said I've got to get my head around this and try to come up with a solution, and she's come up with these seawalls that are now protecting Florida. Yeah, it's these people who are getting mad, then making change," Harding continued.

The series showcases how everyone can contribute to climate solutions - from former lawyers to schoolchildren.

Thais Lopez Vogel, cofounder and trustee of VoLo Foundation, said the inclusive approach is key.

"Through emotions, through actions, through doing things. So I think this is a different way to tackle the climate crisis. We are trying to do it in every angle, and this one is going to be very, very effective," Vogel said.

The series comes as the state has seen a 5% increase in high-tide flooding since 2000, according to NOAA's 2024 Sea Level Rise Report, while a Florida Climate Institute study estimates coastal erosion costs $1.4 billion annually.

The U.S. Supreme Court this month declined to hear a case brought by youth activists, who argued the federal government has failed to protect them from climate change.

Minnesota teens are also elevating their voices on this topic. The court case was seen as a potential game-changer in highlighting the influence the fossil fuel industry has on federal policy.

Separately, a coalition of Minnesota high school students is pushing the Legislature to approve a bill that would bring climate justice education to classrooms in the state.

Wayzata High School Sophomore Ansh Shah said if his generation will have to help with solutions, they'll need the facts.

"We haven't had stuff taught to us on our own," said Shah. "We have to go out and we have to find all these information sources ourselves. And if we had, like, actual curriculum in schools, it'll make it a lot easier for people to be informed on this and actually want to make an effort."

The bill calls for a model program - consistent with state standards - with some focus on how marginalized communities often face the worst effects of climate change.

Similar to the national court case, the Minnesota effort has run into setbacks. Earlier proposals didn't gain traction in recent legislative sessions - and so far, this one hasn't received much attention.

But like their peers elsewhere in the country, these Minnesota students feel their effort will turn some heads, even if they're not always successful.

Fellow Wayzata Sophomore Vedanth Srinivasf said despite the urgent tone associated with climate change, it's important to think longer-term.

"Climate change isn't something that's going to be solved in the next 10 years," said Srinivasf. "It'll have to be solved in the next 50 years. So, starting right now, through small incremental steps, is a solution."

These students will be well into their professional careers by the time Minnesota is required to meet its goal of generating 100% carbon-free electricity in the state.

A landmark law signed by Gov. Tim Walz two years ago says that mandate has to be met by 2040.




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The Pacific Northwest Water Year Impacts Assessment, an important resource for managing drought and other climate extremes, was published today. The assessment tracks impacts of weather conditions on different sectors across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The 2024 water year, which starts and ends in the fall, was Washington's fourth warmest in more than 100 years. Higher temperatures and low snowpack contributed to drought in much of the state, according to the new data.

Karin Bumbaco, climatologist and lead author of the assessment, says the research is helpful to understand cumulative impacts of drought on the region.

"Even though our snowpack is doing better now compared with last year, that really has to be seen through the lens of deficits from the previous year and even before," she explained.

Bumbaco added that in the last decade, droughts have been more frequent than usual in Washington. The assessment focuses on impacts of either too much or too little water on seven sectors, including agriculture, drinking water, fisheries and forestry.

Bumbaco said the agricultural sector in Washington reported the highest number of impacts from dry conditions last year.

"That can range from limited water availability, reduced crop yields. There was also quite a few reports about negative consequences for livestock and grazing," she continued.

Bumbaco said heat, fire and smoke forced recreation areas to close, and the drought brought increased insect activity and tree mortality. This is the fifth Water Year Assessment, and Bumbaco added that along with the challenges she has noticed more people working to mitigate impacts of a changing climate.

"There seems to be more climate resilience being built across our region. And people are taking actions to kind of avoid the worst impacts from either really wet conditions or really dry conditions," she said.

For example, she said farmers are changing crops, as well as the timing of irrigation, and monitoring water use and availability more closely. While some areas of the state saw reduced stream flow, increasing salmon mortality, the assessment was not all bad news. Bumbaco said a well-timed August rain supported a record salmon run in North Central Washington.





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