PBS NewsHour - Science

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed moving 23 animals and plants off the endangered species list, declaring them extinct. Perhaps the most well-known of the species deemed gone forever is the ivory-billed woodpecker. These extinctions are part of an accelerating crisis driven by human actions. John Yang and Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Farmers across the U.S. are struggling to keep their livestock cool enough amid rising temperatures and dangerous heat caused by climate change. As Illinois Public Media's Dana Cronin reports, livestock producers are searching for ways to keep their animals safe. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

This past summer was the hottest on record in more than a century. To shield against rising temperatures, many cities around the country are taking a closer look at trees, which have been shown to cool the air by as much as 10 degrees. Special Correspondent Karla Murthy reports from Cleveland -- a city once known as 'The Forest City' -- to take a look at efforts to restore its once-prolific tree canopy. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The U.N. warns that unless the world acts faster than promised, Earth's temperatures will rise to catastrophic, irreversible levels. The U.S. calls the upcoming climate summit the last chance for the world to avoid disaster. Nick Schifrin discusses the crisis with John Kerry, the president's special envoy on climate, and Frans Timmermans, executive vice president of the European Commission. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Residents in Louisiana have begun the long process of recovery following Hurricane Ida, which destroyed or caused major damage for about 8,000 homes statewide. While the city of New Orleans has largely recovered, the coastal parishes of Lafourche and Terrebonne are struggling with prolonged power outages and a growing housing crisis. Community reporter Roby Chavez reports from the ground. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Climate change experts in Sicily, Italy are warning that rising sea waters are threatening some of the island's most crucial heavy industrial plants. They are also forecasting food shortages because crops are being destroyed. The island endured record temperatures this summer. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports from Sicily for NewsHour's climate change series. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

2021 had one of the hottest summers on record, with July being the hottest single month recorded. Extreme heat is expected to worsen with climate change. The Biden administration announced a plan Monday that would develop new workplace standards for Americans who work outdoors, prioritizing heat-related inspections. William Brangham and Gina McCarthy, White House national climate adviser, discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

When freelance writer Jessica Nordell started pitching under a gender neutral name, she suddenly found more of her pitches were accepted. She's since dedicated her work to examining solutions to unconscious bias, which affects everything from education to health care to criminal justice. She recently spoke to Special Correspondent Megan Thompson about her new book, "The End of Bias: A Beginning." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Scientists and forecasters who study the connection between climate change and extreme weather say the rapid rates of sea-level rise are accelerating the frequency and intensity of severe weather events--like hurricanes, heat waves and more. Claudia Tebaldi, Climate Scientist with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, joins to discuss her latest report on the global impacts of rising sea levels. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was once the world's youngest self-made female billionaire. Now she could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Opening statements began in the closely watched trial of the former Silicon Valley star. Amna Nawaz discusses with Rebecca Jarvis, the chief business, technology & economics correspondent for ABC News, and host of a podcast about Holmes, "The Drop Out." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The power of music to heal--or at the least, promote well-being--is acknowledged in many cultures. But only in the past two decades have the medical and scientific communities joined together in an effort to prove its efficacy -- and explore the possibilities of making music part of actual medical protocols. Special Correspondent Mike Cerre reports on a unique musical experiment that brought together several renowned musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The loss of life and the enormous damage Hurricane Ida has left in its wake are renewing bigger conversations around climate change. The past few days alone have seen one biblical-like problem after another: Massive flooding, a total loss of power, wind destruction; and wildfires in the west. Alice Hill, author of the new book "The Fight for Climate After COVID-19," joins Amna Nawaz to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

New technology is changing the way we think about the human brain. Miles o'Brien gives us a personal look at how rewiring the mind with the aid of machines is transforming the lives of those with amputated limbs. It is the second part of this story in our "Breakthroughs" series on innovation and invention. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Millions of Americans spend weeks recovering from heart surgery and other operations to repair brain and bone injuries every year. As special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from Chicago, researchers are working on a novel approach to aid in that recovery. The story is part of our "Breakthrough" series. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A landmark climate report released this month by the United Nations predicted dire consequences for the world if more is not done to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere. More than 100 countries including the U.S. have committed to a goal to become carbon neutral by the year 2050. One of the biggest challenges to meeting that goal is making homes energy neutral. Special Correspondent Willem Marx reports as part of our series Peril & Promise: The Challenge of Climate Change. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders