All Environment
In the northern Rockies, winter snows bring a flurry of hopeThe arrival of winter can be greeted with trepidation. But for this essayist, the darkening days and declining temperatures come with a promise.
Points of ProgressIt spins, it floats: Solar power generated on water and for garment tradeProgress roundup: Photovoltaics are being sited on waterways around the world. And in India, solar power is increasing efficiency and raising pay.
First LookFarm economics: How much are soil carbon credits worth?Regenerative farms improve soil quality by trapping planet-heating emissions. As these types of farms become more common, groups are working to quantify the amount of carbon these farmers store in their soil, fueling offset markets where credits are sold.
Not rolling on the river: Drought tests America鈥檚 main water highwayRecent rains are starting to refill a shrunken Mississippi River and allow freight to flow more freely. But questions remain about how to manage the river for resilience.
First LookVirtual reality puts the climate鈥檚 future in the hands of gamersClimate experts have long struggled to help people see and emotionally grasp likely futures as the planet warms. Virtual reality games offer decision-makers a choice of alternative futures, and can be seen as an immersive way to experience climate risk.
Points of ProgressGrowth in clean water for people 鈥� and lettuce farmed at schoolProgress roundup: Drinking water and hydroponics are growing around the world. And in Bangladesh and New Zealand, species protection is paying off.
Points of ProgressFrom zero waste to LGBTQ rights: How cooperation got the job doneProgress roundup: State-by-state votes secure same-sex marriage rights for all of Mexico. And a small Japanese city cooperatively works toward zero waste.
First LookCan wildlife return to urban areas? 鈥楻ewilding鈥� might be the answer.Development in urban areas is gobbling up wildlife habitat, stirring calls for 鈥渞ewilding鈥� places where wildlife thrived until driven out. The process aims to revive natural systems in degraded locations, though it can be a tough sell for urbanites.
What would a climate-resilient Pakistan look like? Sindh offers clues.In Pakistan鈥檚 flood-ravaged Sindh province, an absence of government and international disaster aid has left much of rebuilding to civil society. Local initiatives are aiming to make communities more resilient.
鈥楾he ocean is what we know.鈥� Can Senegal woo climate refugees inland?Senegal鈥檚 plan to relocate residents from a flood-prone peninsula to a dusty, inland village offers a glimpse into how countries might manage climate refugees.
First Look鈥榃e are a part of nature鈥�: Hawaiians learn to let lava flowFor decades, Hawaiians have searched for ways to divert lava flows 鈥� from deific offerings to building walls to dropping bombs. Now they are wondering: What鈥檚 the point in trying to control the environment?聽
First LookIndia expands climate efforts as newest chair of G-20 economiesIndia became chair of the G-20 leading economies Thursday and will prioritize climate protection in its new role.聽The country, which remains one of the world鈥檚 top emitters of planet-warming gases, has made recent strides toward environmental goals.
FocusThe Florida town that challenged Hurricane Ian and wonStorm resilient design 鈥� a solar field, water system, human-made wetlands, native plants 鈥� helped Babcock Ranch, Florida, stand up to聽a powerful test.
First LookCriticisms 鈥榦utdated鈥�: Australia opposes endangered reef statusThe Great Barrier Reef may not get an official 鈥渆ndangered鈥� status from UNESCO, thanks to the Australian government鈥檚 lobbying. Given recent legislative turnover, leaders argue that criticisms of government climate inaction are now obsolete.
Cover StoryCities are killing birds. Activists and architects have solutions.Collisions with buildings kill as many as聽1 billion birds a year in the United States. But architects and activists are working to make cities safer.
First LookSalton Sea revival next 鈥榚xtraordinary measure鈥� for US drought reliefThe U.S. government has set aside $250 million to restore the Salton Sea, a drying California lake.聽The money will come out of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act, which set aside $4 billion to stave off the effects of drought across the West.
Points of ProgressOld ways, new gains: US apprenticeships expand, ancient Dutch crop revivesProgress roundup: Tradition improves U.S. job training, and bringing back buckwheat as a Dutch crop pays off in biodiversity 鈥� and old-fashioned pancakes.
This nonprofit helps old building materials find new homesA nonprofit in Springfield, Massachusetts, exemplifies rising efforts to reuse the materials left over from building teardowns and remodels.聽
Utah is growing fast. Will there be enough water for everyone?Some Utah towns are slowing development in the face of drought. Would conservation and higher rates work to limit water consumption?
Drought: Is there a way to have sustainability and a lawn?Drought is longer and more frequent across the U.S., so have we reached the extinction of the beloved American lawn?