Environment & Science

State environmental officials on Thursday evening hosted the last of five public engagement sessions, as they work to create a Priority Climate Action Plan, or PCAP, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emission statewide and mitigate further effects of climate change.

Forecasters say another impactful storm is expected to move up the coast, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to the region Sunday into Monday.

The new official map marks recently acquired land, while setting priorities for future desired open space.

A Tuesday evening webinar cosponsored by the Bethlehem Area Public Library and Bethlehem Food Co-Op focused on how residents can meaningfully participate in the city’s efforts to fight climate change.

The Lehigh Valley remains devoid of accumulating snow events so far in December —and it looks like that pattern will continue straight through the holiday season.

Brad Klein reviews the week’s astronomical highlights with Bethlehem’s 'Backyard Astronomy Guy," Marty McGuire.

Sunday's rain could transition to snow as the storm system departs the region Monday morning, with the potential to affect the morning commute, according to the National Weather Service.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its plant hardiness map, showing a warmer Lehigh Valley. The region has moved into a warmer zone from the one where it was placed more than a decade ago. Experts say it has consequences for plant seasons and species.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

If you're doing anything outdoors, do it Saturday. Rain will arrive Sunday and is forecast to intensify later in the day, with gusty winds. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Sunday afternoon into Monday afternoon.

Brad Klein reviews the week's astronomical highlights with Bethlehem’s "Backyard Astronomy Guy."

A November 11 Facebook post showed a map of Pennsylvania and the surrounding mid-Atlantic region being walloped by snowfall in the weeks ahead. It's "wrong" and "without context," a local meteorologist said.

Edward Boscola, city water and sewer resources director, said Wednesday that a roughly $2 increase in monthly sewer charges would keep the capital fund in good shape, minimize borrowing and contribute to upcoming projects at the wastewater facility.

The Lehigh County Authority released the estimate and a schedule of public meetings to review the plan and collect feedback from affected residents. The first meeting is scheduled for 6 tonight in South Whitehall Township.

Lafayette College's commercial composting vessel was placed in June. It comes more than a decade after the college first started it's composting program, with the dining hall using fully compostable packaging and cutlery.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection policy now recognizes 1,965 environmental justice areas in Pennsylvania. More than 200 are in rural counties.

Greater Easton Development Partnership has gotten agricultural grants totaling $60,000 from the Pennsylvania Farm Bill's Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant.

The first new building on Muhlenberg’s campus in more than a decade, the Fahy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation, 2400 W. Chew St., has racked up three different sustainability awards and certifications.

Lehigh Valley Breathes is a Valley-wide effort to monitor air quality amid emissions from trucking and warehousing. The project is expected to run for a year.

Come Sunday, daylight saving time is out and standard time reigns once again. That means an extra hour of sleep in the morning, but sunset slated for 4:53 p.m.

Animals and insects use fallen leaves to live or find food — including birds and butterflies. Often, if leaves aren't composted, they end up in landfills. Here are some alternative ideas.

The Lehigh Valley will join a large swath of the country in sharing frost and freeze headlines this week as temperatures fall into the 20s for the first time this season.