All Environment
- Mysterious oily goo on California beaches puzzles officials
A mysterious oily goo has shut down 7 miles of California beaches. Officials are scooping up truckloads of tar balls and patties that began washing ashore Wednesday.
- Norway oil fund to divest from coal amid climate concern
Norway's massive oil fund will exclude companies that get at least 30 percent of their revenue from mining or burning coal due to its contribution to climate change.
- Arctic drilling: Why oil won't be flowing anytime soon
Even Shell officials think that the oil major will not be able to see Arctic oil hit the market until sometime in the 2030s, Cunningham writes.
- US forecaster predicts below average Atlantic hurricane season
NOAA's forecast does not say whether any of the storms are likely to make landfall in the United States.
- EPA issues new rules to protect Americans drinking water, streams
President Obama said in a statement Wednesday that the rules will provide needed clarity for business and industry and 'will ensure polluters who knowingly threaten our waters can be held accountable.'
- Can US meet its climate goals? New study says ‘Yes’
Ahead of global climate talks in December, a new study outlines how the US can meet its ambitious goals to cut back on carbon emissions.
- The 19th-century engine that could give solar power a boost
First developed in the early 19th century, the Stirling engine is regaining favor as a way to squeeze even more power out of the sun's energy.
- Putting a price on cheap energy [Recharge]
An IMF study examines global energy subsidies; China cuts back on coal; World leaders set the table for Paris climate talks. Catch up on global energy with the Monitor's Recharge.
- Why oil firms want a say in global climate talks
Major oil companies including Total, Eni, Saudi Aramco, BG, Royal Dutch Shell, and others have come together to form an industry group to weigh in on climate negotiations to take place in Paris later this year.
- The ExplainerHow climate change threatens national security
Researchers have grown increasingly concerned by the threat that global warming poses to global peace. And political leaders are beginning to take notice.
- How Obama's 'butterfly highway' paves way to save embattled monarchs
Eastern populations of the North American monarch have declined by 90 percent over the past 20 years. Conservation biologists hope that the buzz about the butterfly highway will inspire the public to join efforts to preserve habitat.
- Antarctic glaciers thinning so fast, it's like a switch was flipped
A new study finds that processes related to global warming are weakening several Antarctic ice shelves surprisingly quickly – causing glaciers to lose large amounts of ice.
- 'Teddy bear' no longer endangered: What's behind the 'rewilding' of America?
Once down to just three small breeding groups in 1992, the Louisiana black bear has clambered back from the brink of extinction. From bald eagles to mountain lions, some of America's rarest beasts have once again found sure footing.
- Santa Barbara oil spill raises questions about California pipelines
Environmental groups say the Santa Barbara oil spill points to the dangers of a planned expansion of tar sands oil production in California. But other experts say pipelines remain by far the safest way to transport oil.
- Efforts underway to cleanup oil spill along Santa Barbara's coastline
A broken onshore pipeline spewed oil down a storm drain and into the ocean for several hours Tuesday before it was shut off, creating a slick some 4 miles along a stretch of scenic California coast.
- Goldman Sachs predicts $45 oil by October
Crude prices have risen over the past few weeks, after collapsing from $100 a barrel last summer to around $50 a barrel early this year. But as James Stafford writes, some predict prices could fall again later this year.
- How global warming may make forests shorter and scrubbier
A new study applies a well-established principle of fluid flow to identify which types of trees could be winners and losers as global warming progresses.
- Oil markets indifferent to latest Islamic State victory in Iraq
Iraqi oil production is growing, writes Nick Cunningham, even as Islamic State gains ground. The global glut of crude has insulated markets against geopolitical shocks, and the fall of Ramadi hasn't impacted production in Iraq's oil-rich South.
- IMF report: A $5 trillion case for ending fossil fuel subsidies?
The IMF’s new report has found that global fossil fuel subsidies could cost $5.3 trillion in 2015 alone. The findings reflect a growing chorus calling for reforms in energy subsidies.
- Mountains hold climate change surprise, scientists find
Mountains are shaped differently than scientists thought they were, and that could be good news for mountain-dwelling species adapting to climate change.