All Environment
First LookDebate over water rights intensifies as Saudis buy up swaths of US farmlandIn the face of water restrictions at home, a Saudi Arabian company is turning to the American Southwest, where US farmers are contending with persistent drought.
First LookGreat Barrier Reef bleaching could be final 'wake-up call' for climate actionExtensive bleaching has been caused by higher ocean temperatures. To prevent further damage, governments should commit to lowering emissions, an Australian team says.
First LookManmade earthquakes on the rise: How can fracking states lessen tremors?Nearly 8 million people live in areas vulnerable to manmade earthquakes, which have been attributed to disposal of wastewater from oil and gas drilling.
First LookShould manatees come off the endangered species list?Despite a remarkable rebound in the sea mammal's population, many Americans want to keep manatees on the federal endangered species list.
Why Saudi Arabia bought 14,000 acres of US farm landThe Middle Eastern kingdom needs hay for its 170,000 cows. So, it's buying up farmland for the water-chugging crop in the drought-stricken American Southwest.
How much did the world invest in clean energy last year?A new report backed by the UN shows that 2015 had the highest global investment in renewable energy generation ever, but oil, gas, and coal are set to remain a major part of the world's energy infrastructure for years.
Why Wyoming wants authority over Yellowstone wolvesWyoming wildlife officials found 19 elk killed and left uneaten by wolves on Wednesday. They say the politics around conservation stifles their ability to manage the rebounding wolf population.
Can developing petrostates learn to live without oil?What looks like an economic catastrophe may turn out to be an opportunity.
First LookHolland, Mich.: Snowmelt capital of the USA?Holland, Mich., has the largest system snowmelt system for roads and sidewalks in the US. The concept is based on similar technology used in some European countries and has been adopted, to a more limited extent, in some other US cities.
Recycling sunlight: a solar cell revolution?Scientists have found a way to recycle sunlight and boost the amount of energy captured from the sun's rays.
How Oregon plans to quit coalOregon's Clean Electricity and Coal Transition Plan aims to wean the state off coal-fired electricity in the coming decades.
333 dead minke whales: How does Japan justify whaling?After an almost four-month expedition in the Antarctic, Japan's whaling fleet returns to port with 333 dead minke whales. And despite international criticism, the Japanese say they are justified, both legally and morally.
First LookHow LED lights could save sea turtlesA team of scientists have shown that attaching LED lights to gillnets dramatically decreases the amount of sea turtles caught. The solution has the potential to scale to major fisheries.
First LookSuperstorms and surging seas: Is James Hansen a climate oracle?In a 52-page paper published Tuesday, 19 climate scientists say rising seas and superstorms will change our Earth in decades, not centuries.
First LookWhy US droughts spell trouble for forests after a fireDrought reduces seeds' ability to germinate after a forest fire, a significant problem as climate change leads to more severe fires across the American West.
How water shortages threaten jobs and growth across the worldThree out of four jobs globally are dependent on water – which means shortages and limited access may limit economic growth in the future.
First LookObama calls for proactive drought strategy. What would that look like?The administration released an action plan Monday to help government agencies deal with the impacts of drought, which are expected to get worse as the climate changes.
Why record numbers of Americans now say humans cause climate changeMore Americans than ever believe humans are responsible for climate change, according to a Gallup poll. And scientists say this is no coincidence.
First LookAs tornado events become more frequent, statewide drills can save livesWest Virginia, Indiana, Virginia, and many other states are kicking off tornado preparedness season to allow residents to practice staying safe during these destructive storms.
- Is this mysterious hybrid butterfly a harbinger of climate change?
Tanana Arctic butterflies, the first such species discovered in Alaska in almost 30 years, could be a bellwether for change in the fragile arctic ecosystem
