Environment and Climate - The Roanoke Rambler

Canada’s Wildfire Smoke Drifts into Roanoke, Prompting Air Quality Concerns Even as Roanoke's Air Recovers

Roanoke residents saw smoke-filled skills and declining air quality as smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada drifted into Southwest Virginia.

Climate

Roanoke Is Betting on the Outdoors. Can It Protect What Makes the City Special?

Some cities build landmarks. Roanoke inherited one. Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff, Tina Charisma Lead Published: 7:00 AM EST July 22, 2026 Edited: 7:01 AM EST July 22, 2026 On any weekend morning, hikers, trail runners, cyclists and young families fill Mill Mountain before the summer heat

Environment

Potential Botetourt Data Center Could Be Google's Thirstiest in Virginia, Prompting Water Wars

With the chance of a major data center, the Roanoke region faces one of the most territorial tests over water since Roanoke and Roanoke County formed the water authority in 2004.

Climate

40 Years After The Flood: A Question Now of When, Not If

The city of Roanoke is seeking stories and pictures from the epic flood while preparations continue in wait of the next.

Feature

Turning Food Waste into Soil, Roanoke Compost Company Aims To Fill a Curbside Void

Star City Compost takes food waste from Roanoke residents and businesses and converts it into clean compost that will soon be available for sale.

Environment

Roanoke Valley Municipalities Have Room To Grow Tree Canopies, Study Finds

While the city has a goal of a 40 percent tree canopy coverage, a new study estimated Roanoke's tree canopy at 33 percent.

Energy

Roanoke City School Buildings To Go Solar in First Such Project As County Weighs Similar Bid

The company will own the solar array and sell the electricity generated back to the school system at a lower rate than it's currently paying.

Climate Crisis

Roanoke Folds Climate Change Action into City Master Plan

The climate plan’s adoption prompted discussion over what extent the plan could impact future development projects.

Environment

New Study Seeks To Estimate Tree Canopy Coverage Across Roanoke Valley

A new study from the regional commission will guide local governments in the Roanoke Valley on how to improve the tree canopy.

Climate Crisis

Roanoke Council Moves To Fold Climate Change Action Into City's Master Plan

City Council disagreed whether to adopt the plan sooner as a standalone or to formally incorporate it later into the city’s master plan.

Climate Crisis

Roanoke Becomes Home To a New Kind of Refugee: Those Fleeing Climate Change

One-third of Americans cited climate change as a reason to move, per a recent survey. Some who do are choosing Roanoke.

Climate

Hot Summer Nights and Low-Snow Winters: How Roanoke's Climate Is Changing

You will need your snow shovels again. But some things, especially warm summer nights, are noticeably changing in Roanoke’s climate.

Environment

Roanoke's Tree Canopy Has Fallen Over the Last Decade. City Leaders Are Now Trying To Restore It.

Roanoke's tree canopy coverage was at 26 percent in 2019, down from 48 percent at the beginning of the decade.

Climate Crisis

Roanoke Must Take Swift Action To Avoid Worsening Climate Change, City Plan Urges

The climate action plan says the community must cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2032.

Environment

City Acknowledges 'Definite Overreach' After Clear-Cutting Roanoke Man's Native Garden

“There’s a lot of lessons to be learned here and we stand ready to be accountable for our part in it,” a city official said.

Climate Crisis

Roanoke Council Has Called For 'Emergency Action' On Global Warming. So Why Is the City's Climate Plan Still Out of Date?

A pandemic, plastic bag fee and recent retirement have contributed to a delay in revising Roanoke's master climate plan.

Environment

'Worst I've Ever Seen': Plastics Choke Roanoke River As City Bag Fee Encourages Alternatives

A plastic bag fee that went into effect this year is one of the ways Roanoke City is trying to reduce plastic waste.

Climate Crisis

From Flooding to Home Repairs, Here’s How Virginia’s Intent to Leave Carbon Cap and Trade Program Could Affect Roanoke

Funding for low-income home repairs may be harder to come by if Virginia pulls out of regional carbon cap-and-trade market.