All Environment
China's cold but cleaner skies bring an economic challenge
Unintended consequences: Climate-hacking poses big ethical questionsAs the effects of climate change begin to take a tangible toll, should we be thinking more seriously about geoengineering? Maybe. But if we do, we need to think carefully about the ethics as well as the technology.
First LookHow hurricane Michael grew into third largest storm to hit USLow pressure, lack of wind shear to drive it back, and warmer than normal Gulf waters combined to allow hurricane Michael to reach its full potential as a Category 4 hurricane. Scientists say global warming will continue to increase the rapid intensification of tropical weather.
Arkansas alchemy: In Hot Springs鈥檚 rebirth, a lesson for national parksAs some national parks face disengagement, decay, and financial strain, one has managed to revitalize itself in enterprising ways. What can others learn from Hot Springs National Park?聽
Amid dire climate warnings, blue state pledges carry new weightWith thousands of scientists calling for聽transformational climate action, many Americans are looking to local governments to lead the climate action charge. How close can regional efforts take us?聽
First LookSolar power to deliver unique benefits to war-prone and disaster areasAid groups are eying solar energy as a possible replacement for diesel generators in areas in need of rebuilding, such as Syria where fuel is costly and unreliable. In some cases, sabotaging fuel supplies in this region has been used as a weapon of war.聽
First LookEven as it grows, Seattle aims to go carbon neutralSeattle's greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 6 percent since 2008, while its population grew 13 percent over the same period. 聽In order to balance the two, the city is looking to build "living buildings," or structures that produce more energy than they consume.
Business case for climate action grows as IPCC intensifies warningsThe聽Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's聽sobering new climate report reiterates in dire terms the need for a full-court press of climate action. Corporations are starting to heed those calls.
First LookBlack residents cite environmental racism as reason for pollutionIn Uniontown, Ala., a landfill next to a historic black cemetery overflows with coal ash. A cheese plant leaks lime green sludge into a creek, and tap water is undrinkable. Complaints from the town's residents, who are mostly black and poor, have not led to any action.聽
First LookFlood-prone cities look to sustainable urban design for solutionsAs nations set ambitious climate goals, many consider urban design as a potential solution to flooding and other natural disasters. Copenhagen has taken the lead, with a brand-new neighborhood designed to promote green modes of transportation.聽
Harvey, Florence, and the climate change connectionWhen it comes to teasing out climate change's role in extreme weather, hurricanes are the most controversial topic. An emerging field of science is starting to connect those dots more directly than ever before.
FocusHow one Iowa town made peace with the Mississippi RiverRiver communities often struggle to keep surging floodwaters from destroying property.聽In Davenport, Iowa, however, residents have instead learned to live with the ebbs and flows of the Mississippi.
First LookFederal judge blocks hunting against grizzly bearsOn the cusp of the first grizzly bear in hunt in three decades, a federal judge has ruled they still need protection under the Endangered Species Act. Critics say a growing bear population poses a threat to humans and livestock in the American West.聽
Cover StoryCamp Amazon: Inside the 'lungs of the Earth'Our writer stays at an outpost run by famed ecologist Thomas Lovejoy to find out about climate change and saving the world鈥檚 most important rainforest. It's a tale of bearded monkeys, exotic birds, and no snakes.聽
First LookFacing a population boom, an Indonesian city goes greenAs they grow at a rapid rate, Asia's cities pose a threat to worldwide carbon emission goals. But one city in Indonesia is actively working against that risk through targeted policies and technology, including聽strict development laws, car-free days, and urban farms.
First LookWe should worry about seeing fewer flying bugs, scientists sayBees, ladybugs, and fireflies are among the species of flying insects that show a decline in populations. Scientists count manicured lawns, highway traffic, and light pollution as factors of demise, but efforts are under way to restore habitats.聽
Cutting emissions still matters. But carbon capture rises as a battlefront.Climate mitigation strategies tend to focus on emissions reduction. But carbon capture is becoming an equally vital prong of climate action. And the technology to do it is rapidly catching up.- Can outdoor festivals shed 'environmental disaster' label and go green?Outdoor music festivals generate alarming amounts of pollution and solid waste. But they also present an opportunity.
First LookAs sea levels rise, the Carolinas continue to build along the shoreA North Carolina panel predicted a 39-inch sea level rise by the year 2100, a finding that the Legislature rejected. Instead, it requested a more short-term prediction and continued to develop its coastlines despite its vulnerability to rising waters.
First LookBioplastics offer an opportunity to reduce pollutionScientists now can create plastic from anything as varied as an avocado to human waste. Big questions remain about scale and consumer attitudes, but the new technology could put a big dent in ocean pollution.聽
