Energy and Environment: U.S. scientists officially declare 2016 the hottest year on record. That makes three in a row.

U.S. scientists officially declare 2016 the hottest year on record. That makes three in a row.; Climate change will hurt crops more than it helps them, study suggests; Wisconsin state agencies are deleting talk of human-caused climate change from their websites; Bernie Sanders to Scott Pruitt: ‘Why is the climate changing?’; Ryan Zinke admits humans ‘influence’ climate change. But scientists say we’re the ‘dominant cause.’; Days before Trump’s inauguration, State Dept. sends $500 million to United Nations climate fund; As giant ice cracks spread near it, an Antarctic research station is forced to close for winter; Issue of federal land sales looms at Zinke confirmation hearing; These are the two environmental rules the Republican Congress is trying to kill first; British scientists to Theresa May: Urge Trump to support climate research; Obama administration just made a last effort to save a controversial water rule; Humans have destroyed 7% of Earth’s pristine forest landscapes just since 2000; Trump meets with Princeton physicist who says global warming is good for us; Trump appointees on climate change: Not a hoax, but not a big deal either; More than 70 percent of Japan’s largest coral reef has died;   With Chris Mooney   U.S. scientists officially declare 2016 the hottest year on record. That makes three in a row. NASA expressed "greater than 95 percent certainty" in the conclusion. By Chris Mooney  •  Read more » Climate change will hurt crops more than it helps them, study suggests New research reaffirms the idea that high temperatures could seriously harm the production of some of the world's most important food crops, including corn, soybeans and wheat. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   Wisconsin state agencies are deleting talk of human-caused climate change from their websites The recent changes have been met with criticism from Wisconsin scientists. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   Bernie Sanders to Scott Pruitt: ‘Why is the climate changing?’ The exchange Wednesday was pretty intense, with Pruitt seeking to defend the view that humans may contribute to climate change "in some manner," and Sanders insisting that the science says a great deal more than that. By Chris Mooney and Andee Erickson  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Ryan Zinke admits humans ‘influence’ climate change. But scientists say we’re the ‘dominant cause.’ Zinke's answer seems consistent with how other Trump nominees have addressed this tough question. By Chris Mooney and Andee Erickson  •  Read more »   Days before Trump’s inauguration, State Dept. sends $500 million to United Nations climate fund Coming just days before the inauguration, the new expenditure is likely to spark controversy. By Chris Mooney  •  Read more »   As giant ice cracks spread near it, an Antarctic research station is forced to close for winter For now, there are no immediate concerns about the staff's safety. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   Issue of federal land sales looms at Zinke confirmation hearing The Montana congressman is also likely to face questions on his position on climate change. By Darryl Fears  •  Read more »   These are the two environmental rules the Republican Congress is trying to kill first If they are successfully torpedoed, Congress could prevent similar rules from being resurrected. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   British scientists to Theresa May: Urge Trump to support climate research They want the Prime Minister to use the UK's "special relationship" with the U.S. to urge Trump to accept climate change. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   Obama administration just made a last effort to save a controversial water rule On its way out the door, the Obama administration makes one last defense of its controversial "Waters of the United States" rule. By Darryl Fears  •  Read more »   Humans have destroyed 7% of Earth’s pristine forest landscapes just since 2000 Intact forest landscapes are "the last portions of the Earth that are not significantly affected by human influence." By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Trump meets with Princeton physicist who says global warming is good for us William Happer has argued that the "benefits that more [carbon dioxide] brings from increased agricultural yields and modest warming far outweigh any harm." By Chris Mooney  •  Read more »   Trump appointees on climate change: Not a hoax, but not a big deal either Rex Tillerson and Mike Pompeo don't seem to think climate change will be a big global risk. By Chris Mooney  •  Read more »   More than 70 percent of Japan’s largest coral reef has died More than 90 percent of coral in the Sekisei Lagoon in Okinawa has bleached. By Chelsea Harvey  •  Read more »   Recommended for you   Speaking of Science The latest and greatest in science news, in your inbox twice a week. Sign Up »         Share Energy and Environment:       Twitter      Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Energy and Environment. For additional free newsletters or to manage your newsletters, click here. We respect your privacy. If you believe that this email has been sent to you in error or you no longer wish to receive email from The Washington Post, click here. 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