Environment & Science

People who stayed up late Sunday night were treated to an incredible display of the northern lights, which were visible in the Lehigh Valley.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe and several other eastern Pennsylvania counties.

Take a look at stories throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Mayors in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton are coming together to fight against worsening climate change and strengthen sustainability across the region. Two of the three cities have their own climate action plans.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, in the Lehigh Valley.

The first new building on Muhlenberg’s campus in more than a decade, the Fahy Commons for Public Engagement and Innovation, 2400 W. Chew St., opened in January. The 20,000-square-foot, three-floor building cost $13.2 million and is one of the first buildings in the world expected to achieve a rigorous sustainability certification for buildings that give more than they take.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible in the region on Saturday, with the main threat being damaging wind gusts, according to the National Weather Service.

Puerto Rico's electrical grid has been devastated by hurricanes due to worsening climate change. Ruth Santiago, a Bethlehem native, has a solution.

Swarms of non-biting midge flies last week were spotted in Bethlehem. LehighValleyNews.com spoke with Marten Edwards, chair of Muhlenberg College's biology department, to find out more about the insects.

This week on Watching the Skies, the subject is the beginning of ‘astronomical autumn.’

Like last year, the Valley’s cool temperatures, coupled with a lack of precipitation, could cause an earlier and shorter fall foliage season. But, it's still expected to be vibrant.

Officials behind the Lehigh Valley Breathes project have announced an Aug. 31 data cut-off date, ending the data collection phase. The project was launched in August 2023.

“Sacred Planet with Gulnaz Khan,” is a four-part documentary series focused on how indigenous leaders and traditional religious communities across the world are grappling with the impacts of climate change.

The city EAC on Monday, with support from city officials, planned to launch a trash survey focused on containers. They also discussed the possibility of a pilot program.

This week, a discussion of how to provide power to a future base for astronauts on the moon.

In a program of PennDOT and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, participants get training about litter prevention, waste management, civic engagement and more.

The Allentown area recorded 1.88 inches of rain on Thursday, the weather service said, besting the old record of 1.86 inches from Sept. 4, 1988.

Members discussed ways the council could help advance priorities in the city’s Climate Action Plan. With dozens of goals and tasks to tackle, members voted to prioritize those that aligned with existing committees or garnered volunteer interest.

Scannell Properties engaged in a rebuttal to address questions about the Easton Commerce Park project from Easton's Planning Commission Wednesday,

PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center on Tuesday released its new report, “Solar Schools for Pennsylvania: Repowering Education with Clean Energy."

The council on Tuesday heard from officials and experts about Pittsburgh's dark sky efforts, aimed at tamping down on light pollution and saving money.