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Umair Irfan

Umair Irfan

Former correspondent

    Latest articles by Umair Irfan

    Climate
    America’s trains are a drag. The Green New Deal wants to fix that.America’s trains are a drag. The Green New Deal wants to fix that.
    Climate

    High-speed trains already compete with planes in many parts of the world. They also have far lower carbon emissions.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge was the first scientist to isolate caffeineFriedlieb Ferdinand Runge was the first scientist to isolate caffeine
    Science

    Friday’s Google Doodle honors the German chemist on his 225th birthday.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    2018 was one of the hottest years ever2018 was one of the hottest years ever
    Climate

    It was also one of the most expensive for disaster damages in the United States, according to NOAA.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    How Antarctica’s melting ice could change weather around the worldHow Antarctica’s melting ice could change weather around the world
    Climate

    New research shows that melting ice will lead to more trapped heat in some regions and colder temperatures in others.

    By Umair Irfan
    Explainers
    3 key lessons from the disasters that hammered the US in 20183 key lessons from the disasters that hammered the US in 2018
    Explainers

    Why wildfires, hurricanes, and floods cost us hundreds of lives and billions of dollars last year.

    By Umair Irfan and Brian Resnick
    Climate
    Climate change was the subtext of the State of the Union. It should’ve been the headline.Climate change was the subtext of the State of the Union. It should’ve been the headline.
    Climate

    President Trump should see climate change as an opportunity, not something to ignore.

    By Umair Irfan
    Science
    The polar vortex is showing people just how poorly insulated their homes areThe polar vortex is showing people just how poorly insulated their homes are
    Science

    Leaky homes are energy hogs. Home energy audits can reveal how much.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    It’s outrageously cold in Michigan! Why is the governor asking people to turn down their heat?It’s outrageously cold in Michigan! Why is the governor asking people to turn down their heat?
    Climate

    The polar vortex is increasing demand for natural gas for heating, constraining its supply.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    The polar vortex is bringing life-threatening wind chills. But are cold snaps deadlier than heat waves?The polar vortex is bringing life-threatening wind chills. But are cold snaps deadlier than heat waves?
    Climate
    California’s largest utility just declared bankruptcy. Hello, climate change.California’s largest utility just declared bankruptcy. Hello, climate change.
    Climate

    PG&E faces billions of dollars in liability from wildfires exacerbated by rising temperatures and drought.

    By Umair Irfan