All Environment
First LookMythical Mexican axolotl faces extinction in the canals of XochimilcoThe Mexican salamander revered by ancient Aztecs and modern geneticists is in the fight for its life as numbers outside captivity drop. A group of biologists and conservationists are working to preserve its habitat on the outskirts of Mexico City.聽
First LookPuerto Rican scientists work to save endangered parrots after MariaAs islanders continue to rebuild their lives after last year's hurricane Maria, scientists are focusing on preserving wild species like the Puerto Rican parrot. More than half of the vulnerable species disappeared in the storm and most of its habitat was destroyed.
First LookA 'circular economy' appeals to cities wanting to reduce carbon footprintsFrom Amsterdam to Barcelona, European cities are working hard to reduce their carbon emissions. But some of the necessary high-tech measures, such as solar panels and electric cars, are expensive, and officials worry that those unable to pay will be excluded.
Can communities learn to live with wildfire?As highly destructive wildfires become increasingly commonplace, communities throughout the West are having to shift their focus from prevention to adaptation and resilience.
First LookMountain gorilla population no longer 'critically endangered'The International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared that the species is "endangered," but no longer "critically endangered." Their modest rebound in Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo is a much needed success story among wildlife conservation efforts.聽 聽- Making science soar in AlbuquerqueVisitors to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M., can experiment with the scientific principles behind hot-air ballooning.
First LookCalifornia fires: climate change, worsening drought, or more?A combination of global warming, continued drought, and overdevelopment have led to the worst wildfires in California in recent history killing 44. President Trump pinned the devastation on poor forest management 鈥� but that's not the problem, scientists aver.聽
How China鈥檚 loosening of rhino, tiger ban could spur poachingChina has relaxed its 25-year-old ban on rhino and tiger products, a move that observers say could create a demand for illegally obtained wildlife parts.
First LookIndian cities struggle to provide clean water amid dwindling resourcesIndians are facing shortages of clean water across the country as groundwater supplies shrink, and the crisis is particularly severe in Chennai. The struggle for solutions is pitting municipal governments against private water carriers.聽
First LookThese scientists hope to bring nature to your smartphoneIn a wildlife sanctuary in Plymouth, Mass., wireless sensors, cameras, and microphones pick up every sound and movement. Researchers hope to use the data to both better understand changing climates and help power a virtual reality world.聽
How Uganda's schoolchildren became the keepers of the vineIn a nation where a majority relies on subsistence farming, improved crop strains can make a big difference. But getting fortified seedlings into the hands of farmers can require its own kind of revolutionary thinking.
First LookSyrian refugees and Jordanians work together to build green homesSyrian refugees in Jordan are working alongside their neighbors to retrofit homes with solar-thermal water heaters, shading devices, and rainwater collection tanks. 'We made friendships and became a community through work,' says one Jordanian.聽
Points of ProgressIn an Indiana river cleanup, businesses and environmentalists cooperateIndustry and environmental interests are often opposed. But in Indiana, a river cleanup requiring both sides to negotiate with each other offers an example for conservation partnerships everywhere.
鈥楥limate kids鈥� seek action 鈥� and await their day in courtThe 21 young Americans suing the US government have gained national attention, in large part because of their youth and their focus on the contentious issue of climate change. But more deeply, their case raises fundamental questions about government obligation.
First LookMalaysia raises concern over plastic waste from developed countriesMore plastic waste now pours into Malaysia than any country after China implemented a ban on waste imports this year. The issue is creating a conflict between environmental protection and economic gains.聽
FocusCan Idaho wolves shed their 'big bad' reputation?As humans expand into wild areas and endangered species gain new ground,聽people are increasingly clashing with predators.聽In Idaho, one group of ranchers is trying to instill a culture of coexistence.
First LookIn China, newly discovered dinosaur bones rewrite historyXu Xing, a "superstar" paleontologist who has named more dinosaur species than any other living scientist, is聽leading a dig in a fossil-rich area of China that is uncovering links between birds and dinosaurs. The area was discovered accidentally through a construction project.聽
Will increasingly indoorsy Canadians answer the call of the wild?Nature seems to be playing a decreasing role in many people's lives. But research suggests that our need to connect with the natural world is no less important today than it was for our forebears.
First LookIn China, melting glaciers are a visible reminder of climate changeA glacier in China 鈥� and a highly visited tourist destination 鈥� has lost 60 percent of its mass and shrunk 250 meters since 1982, researchers say.聽
FocusWhose Colorado? Fracking debate pits families against 'economic engine'Depending on whom you ask, fracking has either been a boon for or a scourge on the United States.聽In Colorado, both visions have played out. And this November, the two perspectives face off on the ballot.
