Lauren Sommer
@lsommer.bsky.social
Climate correspondent for NPR. West Coast-based. Wildfires, water, oceans, adaptation and accountability. Signal: sommer.55
NPR is shrinking its newsroom through layoffs and buyouts and is reducing staff dedicated to covering both climate and science. "The climate desk no longer exists separately but has been folded into the National Desk," writes Neela Banerjee, who headed the climate desk but was just laid off.
Today is a really hard day here at NPR. We're losing some good people, including people I'm very close to. The reasons for the layoff are complicated. We lost a lot of federal money, gained a lot of donations, but NPR isn’t sure how sustainable those donations will be in the future.
Prescribed burns took a big dip in 2025 - more in my story today on @npr.org
NPR@npr.org · 3mo agoMany of the nation's overgrown forests are at high risk of burning. Under the Trump administration, work to reduce flammable vegetation fell by more than a million acres compared to previous years. n.pr/3OVHYSc
States say disaster funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has slowed to a trickle under the Trump administration. That's delaying projects to protect communities from wildfires and hurricanes.
Communities are waiting on billions in disaster funding from the Trump administration
States say disaster funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has slowed to a trickle under the Trump administration. That's delaying projects to protect communities from wildfires and hurricanes.
n.pr
As energy prices rise and climate change intensifies, NPR wants to hear your questions about spending decisions you'll make that could reduce climate pollution and save you money.
NPR wants your big question about reducing your climate impact and saving money
As energy prices rise and climate change intensifies, NPR wants to hear your questions about spending decisions you'll make that could reduce climate pollution and save you money.
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Some big changes are being discussed for FEMA. We asked disaster experts around the country what they think www.npr.org/2026/02/17/n...
3 big changes are proposed for FEMA. This is what experts really think of them
The Trump administration is proposing massive changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. We asked disaster experts to weigh in.
npr.org
California communities are reducing their wildfire risk, but often, insurance companies don't take those larger efforts into account. A new effort is trying to change that. My story, part of a @npr.org series on insurance and climate change 1/ www.npr.org/2025/11/13/n...
This community is getting a disaster makeover. Insurance bills are still rising
Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring tha...
npr.org
Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring that in.
This community is getting a disaster makeover. Insurance bills are still rising
Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring that in.
n.pr
Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring that in. n.pr/43DY1bj
Communities are reducing wildfire risk. Will their insurance bills go down?
Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring that in.
n.pr
Nations have begun climate negotiations at the COP30 summit in Brazil. Studies show the world is not on track to avoid the most damaging impacts of climate change. n.pr/3XsXgy9
Climate negotiations have started. Here's how far countries need to go
Nations have begun climate negotiations at the COP30 summit in Brazil. Studies show the world is not on track to avoid the most damaging impacts of climate change.
n.pr
The past three summers have been the worst on record for Florida's coral reefs. To try to restore them, scientists are breeding corals that can handle heat better, using coral from other countries. By @lsommer.bsky.social
Why scientists are using corals from other countries to help save Florida's reefs
The past three summers have been the worst on record for Florida's coral reefs. To try to restore them, scientists are breeding corals that can handle heat better, using coral from other countries.
n.pr
Many of New Zealand's unique birds are heading toward extinction. So the country is taking on an ambitious conservation project: eradicating the invasive species that prey on them.
New Zealand's bold plan to save endangered animals: kill millions of invasive animals
Many of New Zealand's unique birds are heading toward extinction. So the country is taking on an ambitious conservation project: eradicating the invasive species that prey on them.
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With home insurance getting pricier and millions of houses unprepared for disasters, states are starting incentive programs. Strengthen your house, get an insurance discount. Alabama has led the way, but programs in other states, like CA, aren't as popular. Here's why: www.npr.org/2025/06/11/n...
How homeowners are saving on insurance by upgrading their houses against disasters
Home insurance is getting pricier as hurricanes and wildfires get worse. States are trying new incentives, encouraging homeowners to retrofit homes against disasters to get an insurance discount.
npr.org
Do you need a climate or decarbonization coach? Enough people are having trouble making climate-friendly purchases that companies, nonprofits and agencies are stepping in to help. Here's my @npr.org story: www.npr.org/2025/05/07/n...
Need help switching appliances from gas to electric? A 'coach' can help
Government incentives for climate-friendly upgrades are confusing to navigate, and it can be hard to find businesses that sell them. So a new industry is emerging to help: the decarbonization coach.
npr.org
Communities around the country were awarded billions in FEMA grants and have spent years planning infrastructure projects to prepare for future disasters. Now, the Trump Administration has cancelled the grants. Rural communities have few other options. On @npr.org today www.npr.org/2025/05/01/n...
Rural communities were promised millions in disaster funds. Trump is ending it
Rural communities are scrambling after the Trump administration canceled billions in disaster grants. Many were counting on the funds for infrastructure fixes meant to withstand future disasters.
npr.org
California just released new maps on where homes have to be built with wildfire-resistant materials. But the majority of homes destroyed in the Eaton fire won’t have to use those building codes www.npr.org/2025/03/25/n...
After the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, some homeowners are being required to rebuild with wildfire building codes. But the majority are not. Here's why - on @npr today www.npr.org/2025/03/25/n...
Why some Los Angeles homes are being built to resist wildfires — and some aren't
California is one of the few states with building codes for wildfire protection, because using fire-resistant materials helps homes survive. Now, more than 500 additional homeowners rebuilding after L...
npr.org
Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said she's going to eliminate FEMA at a Trump cabinet meeting today. Here's what states say is at stake for them in disasters. www.npr.org/2025/03/21/n...
Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared
President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.
npr.org
President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.
Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared
President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.
npr.org
The Trump administration is pushing states to take over disaster response and preparation. Many say it wouldn't be possible without FEMA. www.npr.org/2025/03/21/n...
Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared
President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.
npr.org
The NOAA firings were done so quickly, staff that manages the central weather forecasting models were scrambling to transfer access to employees who would still remain. On @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/02/27/n...
Trump administration layoffs hit NOAA, agency that forecasts weather, hurricanes
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration houses key groups like the National Weather Service. Experts warn the consequences of employee cuts could be drastic.
npr.org
NOAA employees, both current and those affected by the firings, please feel free to get in touch. I'm a climate reporter at NPR who has covered NOAA a long time. I'm on Signal at sommer.55
Great episode from @wunc.org about rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. A lot of roads need repair, but how do you design them to withstand the future climate? North Carolina is working on that, something not many communities do after a disaster. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The road to rebuilding after Helene
Podcast Episode · The Broadside · 02/27/2025 · 19m
podcasts.apple.com
WATCH, READ, LISTEN: @npr.org explained the importance of California’s native chaparral brush and how clearing it will not reduce the risk of wildfires.
Why clearing the brush around Los Angeles won't reduce the wildfire danger
After thousands of homes were destroyed, many are looking for ways to make Los Angeles safer from wildfires. But clearing dense shrubs on the hillsides could actually make the fire danger worse.
npr.org
As animals get close to extinction, some are brought into captivity as a last resort. It's not easy to find a way to release them again, but in Hawaii, a rare crow is making its way back to the wild again. On @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/02/18/n...
This rare, intelligent species of crow is taking flight in Hawaii again
Hawaiian crows are extinct in the wild and are found nowhere else on Earth. Now, a small group, safeguarded in captivity, has been released in the forests of Maui.
npr.org
I am collecting instances of California-based wildfire mitigation projects delayed because of layoffs at US Forest Service, Park Service, BLM. Pls reach out to me if you have tales of certain projects to share: d venton at kqed dot org. Signal: DVenton.09
To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.
NPR Exclusive: FEMA pulls back on work to help homes survive hurricanes and floods
To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.
npr.org
SCOOP: For 25 years, FEMA has helped develop building codes that help homes survive floods and hurricanes. Now, FEMA is pulling back on that work, taking its name off recommendations its experts have written. On @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/02/20/n...
Exclusive: Trump administration drops work on stronger building codes for disasters
To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.
npr.org
Hey NOAA, FEMA and federal scientists and staff — I’m a climate reporter at NPR. To share info anonymously, you can reach me on Signal at sommer.55
