All Environment
The world's biggest energy hogs aren't who you think they areYou might expect the US and Canada to be home to some of the biggest energy consumers in the world, but Iceland and Luxembourg? Oilprice.com calculated the top 10 countries with the highest energy use per person and the results may surprise.
Half of global wildlife populations declined since 1970, says WWFThe worst decline was among populations of freshwater species, which fell by 76 percent over the four decades to 2010, while marine and terrestrial numbers both fell by 39 percent.
Was Climate Week successful? [Recharge]Climate Week had no shortage of speeches, pledges, and marches, but left little in the way of concrete global action on climate change. Catch up on the highlights from the march, the UN Climate Summit, and the rest of last week's events with a special Recharge on Climate Week.
How solar power is changing your utility bill (and your utility)The rise of solar power has created an ongoing debate about so-called 'net energy metering,' where customers can offset their utility bill with rooftop solar power 鈥� upsetting some utilities in the process. Lehrman and Bronski聽write that the debate distracts from聽a much bigger opportunity to unleash innovation and investment in distributed energy resources in ways that are better for everyone.
Ukraine crisis: Can a gas deal save Russia's economy?The EU is optimistic it can close a deal between Russia and Ukraine that will bring gas flows back to Ukraine in time for winter. But even if tensions in the Ukraine crisis ease, Russia still has a lot of work to do to stabilize its economy amid Western sanctions.
Mt. St Helens: Is it ready to erupt again?Mt. St. Helens awoke from an 18-year slumber roughly 10 years ago. Now, scientists are saying it looks like Mt. St. Helens 'is getting ready to erupt again and it can happen in the order of years to decades.'
Phoenix storms: Residents clean up after damaging stormsPhoenix storms swept through the region over the weekend, taking out trees, light poles, and power lines. Residents and utility workers are cleaning up after a damaging series of Phoenix storms.
Cover StoryFracking in the US: The story of one man's oil wellA writer from liberal Massachusetts聽goes to Texas聽to deal with聽a family oil well. What he learned about fracking, salt domes, and America's energy future.聽- Earthquake swarm: What caused hundreds of mini-quakes?An earthquake swarm hit Mammoth Lakes late last week, with more than 600 earthquakes hitting the region within 24 hours. The earthquake swarm is not connected to volcanic activity, scientists say.
Why global warming 鈥� usually under the radar 鈥� made headlines this weekClimate change stole the spotlight this week, with the People's Climate March drawing a record crowd to New York and the UN Climate Summit gathering leaders from around the world. From New York to Boston and Beijing to Washington, the Monitor was there to cover it.聽
Goodbye coal, oil? Team tests cheaper way to use sunlight to produce hydrogenIn principle, solar-derived hydrogen could replace fossil fuels for uses ranging from powering vehicles to producing electricity via fuel cells. One 'proof of concept' way to achieve this is outlined in Friday's issue of Science.
Gas prices head below $3. Will your state go that low?By the end of the year, up to 30 states could have an average gasoline price of less than $3 a gallon, according to a forecast this week.
Climate Week is ending. What next?A week of climate-themed events, public demonstrations, and diplomatic speeches on clean energy is coming to a close. What did the world accomplish on energy and climate this week, and what comes next?
Obama extends vast marine reserve in central Pacific OceanPresident Obama's proclamation adds 490,000 square miles to the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument, which will be off limits to commercial fishing or mining.聽
It's Climate Week. Where are Republicans?Republicans remained largely silent following President Obama's UN Climate Summit speech Tuesday, which urged international cooperation to address climate change. The GOP largely criticizes the president's environment and energy policies, but is there an opening for bipartisanship on renewable energy and climate adaptation?
UN Climate Summit: Lots of talk, little actionAs the traditional UN pathway to an agreement on climate change has proven intractable and largely ineffective, the climate movement has grown louder and more aggressive, Cunningham writes. But can history offer a lesson in forging a global compact on energy and environment issues? 聽
Amid Ukraine crisis, Russia sanctions force exodus of Western energyWestern sanctions on Russia are forcing international energy firms to rethink or even suspend plans for oil and gas projects in Russia.聽The most recent round of sanctions over the Ukraine crisis also severely limits Russian energy companies鈥� access to Western financing and technology in support of developing energy resources.
Kenya at the heart of an African energy boomWhen it comes to new oil and gas frontiers, today it鈥檚 all about Africa, Stafford writes.聽More specifically, it鈥檚 all about the eastern coast, with Kenya the clear darling of an emerging oil industry.
The most promising climate change support doesn't come from government ...... It comes from private industry. Government action is critical, but聽businesses are increasingly active leaders in addressing climate change, Holland writes, and are making their voices heard during climate week. That聽could signal a real turning point for climate action.
UN Climate Summit: Obama flexes US muscle in global climate fightAt a UN Climate Summit in New York Tuesday, President Obama said the US was beginning to take action to fight climate change, but must do more. Mr. Obama called on the international community to make strong commitments on clean energy ahead of next year's climate talks in Paris.聽