Umair Irfan

climate change, energy, and environment reporter for Vox

Covers climate change, energy, and the environment for Vox

Umair Irfan on KCRW

East Palestine, Ohio, is still reeling after a freight train — that was carrying hazardous materials — got derailed.

Slashed workforce and fewer regulations led to East Palestine train derailment

East Palestine, Ohio, is still reeling after a freight train — that was carrying hazardous materials — got derailed.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Scientists at the National Ignition Facility say they’ve achieved fusion. Theoretically, it can generate lots of energy without nuclear waste.

This nuclear fusion breakthrough could revolutionize clean energy

Scientists at the National Ignition Facility say they’ve achieved fusion. Theoretically, it can generate lots of energy without nuclear waste.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Hurricane Ian is the first major storm to hit the Tampa Bay area in about a century. Like many coastal regions, its population has rapidly grown.

Hurricane Ian will bring dangerous, days-long flooding to Florida

Hurricane Ian is the first major storm to hit the Tampa Bay area in about a century. Like many coastal regions, its population has rapidly grown.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

More from KCRW

Will shifts in the Democratic agenda leave progressives out in the cold? KCRW discusses the DNC. Plus, can labor laws for minors balance safety and opportunity?

from Left, Right & Center

Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, unlocks some of the secrets discovered via 80 years of research on happiness.

from Life Examined

The Federal Reserve announced a half-a-percentage point cut in interest rates on Wednesday. Mortgage rates had already been falling, but the median home price in LA is $1 million.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The U.S. continues to take a firm stance on China. When does censorship go too far? Plus, California’s gas inventory may hurt its neighboring state, Nevada.

from Left, Right & Center

As Greta Gerwig prepares to dive into production on her adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, the director is attempting to persuade Netflix to release her film on thousands of IMAX…

from The Business

The Irvine Police Department purchased a Tesla Cybertruck to promote its D.A.R.E drug program. But some taxpayers say the money should be spent elsewhere.

from KCRW Features

Kim Masters banters with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw about the future of Apple’s place in the streaming landscape.

from The Business

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine MSNBC’s decision to hold Errol Morris’ immigration documentary Separated until after the 2024 presidential election.

from The Business

Train passengers up and down California and Oregon say it’s worth keeping Amtrak as a vital lifeline and a nostalgic leisure activity.

from KCRW Features