Axios

A jury in Oregon determined Wednesday that electric utility PacifiCorp must pay punitive damages over destructive wildfires in the state in 2020.

Why it matters: The case could see the utility that's owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway have to pay billions of dollars in damages in the class action lawsuit — though PacifiCorp said after a jury found it liable on Monday that it "plans to pursue appeals."

Fire weather days — featuring a volatile mix of low humidity, strong winds and high temperatures — have increased in number across much of the Lower 48 states during the past 50 years, a new analysis shows.

The big picture: An analysis from Climate Central, a nonprofit climate science research organization, found that wildfire seasons are getting longer and more intense, especially in the West.

Scientists have uncovered an El Niño-induced phenomenon that could help conservationists better protect coral reefs against lethal marine heatwaves.

Why it matters: The early development of El Niño, which boosts the impacts of climate change, is raising concern over what the ocean and atmosphere cycle will mean for already-embattled marine ecosystems.

The International Energy Agency sees global oil demand growth slowing "markedly" in coming years, with a peak "on the horizon."

Shell is tapping the brakes on continued oil production curbs, the multinational giant said Wednesday, in a broader strategy update that will boost payouts to shareholders.

Driving the news: Here's what Shell said ahead of CEO Wael Sawan's investor presentation in New York City this morning...

• It's boosting dividends by 15% beginning this quarter and buying back at least $5 billion in shares in the second half of 2023.

Now that General Motors and Ford have pledged to adopt Tesla's electric vehicle (EV) charging standard, other industry players are lining up behind it too —  even faster than we predicted they would.

What's happening: Several major charging networks, including EVgo and ChargePoint, have jumped on board, saying they'll support the Tesla connector, too.

Most clothing brands are doing a lousy job on the environmental front, and most consumers aren't doing their part either, a new report from consulting firm Kearney concludes.

Why it matters: Despite much chin music about the environmental sins of the fashion industry — how it's a major polluter and carbon emitter but wants to do better — progress is slow toward the goal of "circularity," in which a garment is repeatedly reused, repaired and recycled before it's discarded.

An assortment of climate scientists, meteorologists and others are expressing alarm at recent changes in key climate indicators.

The big picture: Global surface air and ocean temperatures have spiked sharply in recent months, along with record low Antarctic sea ice, extreme heat events around the world, as Canada's heat and wildfire crisis grips North America.

Joe Biden’s critics in the climate movement fret he could face enthusiasm problems with climate voters and young people for backing fossil fuel projects.

Why it matters: Lots of people who care about climate change want Joe Biden to boost renewables and curtail fossil fuel production, an approach many climate experts want.