For this in-depth project examining the impact of climate change on Nebraska, the College of Journalism and Mass Communications opened the rigorous application process to all students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In the end, 20 students drawn from seven different colleges representing 13 different majors were selected for the yearlong project. Students enrolled in the spring semester focused primarily on problems associated with climate change – including its impact on Nebraska’s agriculture, livestock, wildlife, public health, waterways, national defense and religions. Students in the fall 2020 semester will focus primarily on a range of potential solutions to a variety of climate change issues – including renewable energy sources, sustainability initiatives, no-till farming, carbon sequestration, nuclear fusion and stronger environmental laws.
The state’s nitrate-in-groundwater problem is growing worse — Nebraska’s median nitrate level doubled between 1978 and 2019. But some Nebraska farmers and researchers are fighting back with technology.
The Cedar-Knox Rural Water Project has been able to keep the level of disinfection byproducts in its water in check, but utility operators say it's becoming increasingly difficult.
Nebraska submitted the state's first Climate Action Plan to federal regulators earlier this month, outlining voluntary programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30% by 2030.
