All Environment
Lake Mead shrinks to unveil long-submerged historic townThe drought ravaging the West has caused the聽water level聽in聽Lake Mead聽to drop to an all-time low,聽creating some new hazards and revealing new scenery.
How the US energy boom shapes the worldA growing chorus of lawmakers, analysts, and industry insiders are calling on the US to better leverage its newfound energy abundance as a diplomatic tool. 聽
First LookOne drop at a time: California surpasses water conservation targetWater use in the Golden State fell by 27 percent last month, despite it being the hottest June on record globally.
Cheap oil helps India phase out fuel subsidiesThe big question is whether that modest progress on removing fossil fuel subsidies can be locked in. If oil prices rise, there will be a lot of pressure to reinstitute support.
First LookThat sinking feeling: Washington D.C.鈥檚 sea level problemResearchers find the ground below Washington D.C. is rapidly sinking and urge action to alleviate threats to the city's infrastructure.
If wind energy is 鈥榮trong,鈥� why does it need subsidies?The US Senate Finance Committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of continued tax policies that incentivize the building of more US wind farms, as construction and investment are spiking in the private sector.
Northern white rhino: How scientists hope to save rare breed from extinctionNorthern white rhino:聽Researchers are hoping that tissue samples taken from a recently deceased white rhino will help keep the species from disappearing.
From 'Born Free' to Cecil the lion: Hollywood's impact on animal rightsFilms and celebrities can serve both as change agents and as advocates for meaningful animal rights improvements, say experts.聽
The coming lithium rushSmart phones, tablets, laptops, and other consumer electronics demand more lithium. But the largest driver for future lithium use will be in electric vehicles and home batteries for solar panels. That has lithium on the verge a boom for which supply can no longer be taken for granted.
First LookMilwaukee's mystery cat: Could there really be a lion in Wisconsin?Reported sightings of a lion-like creature roaming the streets of Milwaukee have alarmed some residents, amused others, and intrigued all.聽
First LookCecil the lion's killer denies guilt: When does hunting become poaching?Walter Palmer, the man accused of killing Zimbabwe's beloved lion, Cecil, says he didn't know at the time that what he was doing was illegal.
How a Minnesota dentist allegedly killed Zimbabwe's most beloved lionOfficials have named Walter Palmer, a dentist from the Minneapolis area, as Cecil the lion's killer. 聽
Low oil prices unnerve global marketsA renewed downturn in oil prices is sparking pessimism among traders. In recent weeks speculators have taken the most bearish position on oil in years.
How California shops evade ban on elephant ivory salesMost ivory dealers in California rely on intentional mislabeling to cover what wildlife groups say is the illegal sale of recently poached African elephants.
Hillary Clinton has big plans for solar power. Are they achievable?Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton rolled out an ambitious plan late Sunday to decarbonize the US power sector, the first of what her campaign says will be a series of energy and climate policy announcements.
Bad news for Russia: Oil prices are falling againRussia is facing a mounting fiscal crisis as the combination of low oil prices and western sanctions continue to take their toll.聽
Obama and Africa's energy potential [Recharge]President Obama visits Africa as energy shortages continue to challenge much of the continent; China makes a splash in the East China Sea; Shell gets a green light to drill in the Arctic. Catch up on global energy with the Monitor's Recharge.聽
Bonneville Salt Flats: Are they losing salt?Wet weather has forced the cancellation of Speed Week for the second straight year and revived a debate about whether nearby mining is depleting the Bonneville Salt Flats of their precious resource.
Secret weapon in fight against climate change: mayorsSixty big-city mayors from around the world gathered at the Vatican this week to discuss their role in addressing climate change. Mayors often play an unheralded role in reducing carbon emissions.
Cuba eyes oil and gas for economic boostCuba is in the process of opening up its economy to foreign investment, a process that could accelerate following the recent thaw in relations between Havana and Washington.聽