All Environment
Despite sanctions, ExxonMobil (XOM) starts drilling in Russia. Putin cheers.Russian president calls ExxonMobil a 'model of cooperation' for its partnership with Rosneft in the face of Western sanctions against the Russian oil company. The energy giants are drilling Russia's first well in the arctic Kara Sea, an area with huge reserves of oil and gas.
Sunny Barcelona puts the rays to workBarcelona's solar energy regulations have moved the city to becoming an example of a sustainable city. Some of Barcelona's efforts include becoming the first European city to have a solar thermal ordinance and having one of the cleanest bus fleets in Europe.
US launches airstrikes in Iraq. Oil markets shrugThe US began limited airstrikes against Islamist militants in Iraq Friday in an effort to stem the spread of violence. Despite Iraq's status as a major oil producer, oil markets haven't responded much yet to the renewed upheaval 鈥� suggesting that investors have grown accustomed to Mideast turmoil.
Finding new angles on solar energySolar panels typically cannot capture solar radiation properly unless the sun is straight on the solar panel. However, a company has developed material that can help solar panels capture sunlight from all angles.
Global warming: Deep emissions cuts needed by 2050, says UNGlobal warming will reach dangerous levels unless deep cuts are made in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report from the UN. Limiting global warming is still possible, the report says, but will entail substantial technological, economic, and behavioral challenges.
Iselle: first tropical storm to hit Hawaii in 22 yearsTropical storm Iselle swept ashore Hawaii in the first of a one-two punch of stormy tropical weather for the state. Tropical storm Iselle is the first tropical storm to hit Hawaii in 22 years.
Why Obama is spending billions on clean energy to 鈥楶ower Africa鈥�The Obama administration is pushing green energy in Africa, hoping the continent will bypass coal on its road to development. But some say it's not realistic 鈥� or ethical 鈥� to expect emerging economies to sidestep fossil fuels.
Monkey selfies: Can a macaque own intellectual property?Monkey selfies have sparked a copyright dispute between Wikipedia and a British photographer. Wikipedia has rejected the photographer's request to take down the monkey selfies on copyright grounds.
Arctic drilling: Norway's Statoil comes up emptyArctic drilling by Norway's state-controlled Statoil has found no commercial quantities of oil and gas at the northernmost wells it has ever drilled in the Arctic. The year's arctic drilling campaign ended without any commercial discoveries, Statoil said in a statement Thursday.
Consumer spending rises, fueled by new oil moneyConsumer spending is up since the Great Recession, with oil states like North Dakota leading the way. New drilling techniques have opened up vast swaths of new oil and gas, helping to drive consumer spending.
Yellowstone drone: Why more drones are buzzing National ParksYellowstone drone crashes into the park's largest hot spring, a park official said Wednesday. It's possible that the Yellowstone drone has damaged the prized geothermal feature.聽
Coal shortage? Blame oil trains.Shipping crude oil by rail has led to a coal shortage across the US.聽Rail companies have more than doubled the amount of petroleum products being shipped each week, which has caused delays in shipping coal, corn, and grain.聽
Otter attack suspect spotted in Washington StateAn otter suspected to be involved in an attack was spotted with its pups in Pilchuck River Tuesday. An 8-year-old boy and his grandmother were involved in an otter attack in the river last Thursday.
Is it cruel to strap an iPad to a tortoise?Animal rights activists are calling for a Colorado art museum to stop an upcoming exhibit featuring three tortoises with iPads mounted on their backs. The museum released a statement Wednesday saying it supports the exhibit with iPad-toting tortoises. 聽
Oil: Wall Street's gray swanThe relentless, if zigzag, rise in financial markets for the past 150 years has been sustained by cheap fossil fuels and a benign climate, Cobb writes. We cannot count on either from here on out.- Cobra rock formation: What toppled it?Cobra rock formation, a sandstone formation beloved by rock climbers, has toppled in southern Utah. The cobra rock formation got its name from its snake-like appearance, carved by wind and rain.
US trade deficit narrows in June. What's fueling the decline?A boom in domestic oil and gas production is keeping the US trade deficit down. Some politicians and analysts think increased production means it's time the US allow for crude oil exports, while others say exporting oil would harm American energy security.
How magnetism might keep solar panels clean (and efficient)Solar panels can lose their efficiency over time due to exposure to harsh elements. Now, scientists have developed a method using magnetic forces that could help keep solar cells efficient and clean.
Fleas infest New York courthouseFleas infested a New York courthouse, shutting it down for at least two days. Officials say they are working to remove the fleas that have infested the New York courthouse.
California mystery animal: What is it?California mystery animal stumps local officials as they try to identify an animal caught on video moving through a residential neighborhood. A zoo spokeswoman said the California mystery animal appeared to be a big cat of undetermined origin, possibly 'some kind of hybrid.'