All Environment
FocusRenewable energy in a rare ape’s habitat raises ethical dilemmaA hydropower dam in Indonesia that would help cut carbon emissions threatens a fragile ecosystem. An environmentalist explains why it’s worth it.
‘This is a great story’: Whooping cranes make a comebackHelping people and animals coexist is key to bringing endangered whooping cranes back to healthy numbers. The Gulf Coast is trying to get it right.
First LookAlberta produces lots of emissions. Can it capture them instead?Capturing and storing CO2 in the ground – before it’s released into the atmosphere – could be the key to reigning in emissions from Canada’s oil industry. But the processes to do so are complicated, expensive, and not a cure-all.
Bug-eyed about invading cicadas? They might teach you some life lessons.Billions of 17-year cicadas are starting to emerge in 15 U.S. states. Humans can approach the experience with annoyance – or perhaps with wonder.
First LookGOP, Dems, business interests get behind EPA coolant ruleThe EPA has proposed to phase out the production of hydrofluorocarbons, the greenhouse gases often used in refrigerators and air conditioners. The move will help not only the environment, but also provides standardized regulations for businesses.
World’s bankers take climate pledge. Will they follow through?The world needs an extra $1.6 trillion to $3.8 trillion per year to adapt and respond to climate change – making private sector money vital.
No new gas stations? One California town’s fight against climate change.A California town hopes to reduce damage from fossil fuels with a ban on new gas stations. The ban may signal a much larger shift in public thinking.
First LookHawaiian beach cleanup turns up more than 47 tons of debrisIn northern Hawaii, over 47 tons of plastic and fishing nets were gathered in a cleanup of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the largest protected marine reserve in the U.S. The debris is set to be incinerated and turned into electricity for Oahu.
Biden wants to tackle climate change. His pitch is all about jobs.When President Joe Biden introduced his $2 trillion infrastructure plan, he mentioned “climate” only once and jobs 28 times.
This woman bridges climate change divides, one Maine voter at a timeChloe Maxmin won office in rural, working-class Maine by not accepting a narrative of rigid political divides on issues like global warming.
First LookWhy some climate scientists are joining the finance industryCorporations, faced with tougher climate regulations, have ramped up hires of people with expertise in sustainability, attracting scientists who hope to play a role in decarbonizing these industries. But some criticize the efforts as insincere and “greenwashing.”
Can Britain mine coal while it’s going green? It’s complicated.A special kind of coal still plays a big role in steelmaking. Does that justify a new mine, during an era of transition away from fossil fuels?
First LookNot so green after all? Hybrid cars could soon be phased out.Hybrid cars, a popular choice for the climate conscious driver, may not be as green as they seem. Amid research into their CO2 emissions, new and tougher European regulations could see the cars phased out faster than previously envisioned.
First LookBeehive deliveries keep New Yorkers buzzing on rooftops, backyardsBees are thriving in New York hives. The city offers them a welcome variety of flowers and fewer pesticides than on rural farms.
Ice Out: How N.H.’s rite of spring has become a symbol of climate changeOn New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee, winter ice cover is melting earlier than it used to – a trend with implications for both ecology and culture.
The ExplainerCarbon score card: Emissions are down but big tasks ahead for BidenFor four years, America’s president didn’t rank climate change as a priority, but the nation was still making considerable progress on clean energy.
First LookWhy automakers are joining the push against deep seabed miningBMW and Volvo need rare minerals to make the batteries for their electric vehicles. But the companies joined a call for a moratorium on deep seabed mining, which could be a new avenue for collecting the minerals, citing environmental concerns.
Trees store carbon, but a wind farm produces power. Which is greener?Put up a wind farm or preserve the forest? New York has ambitious climate goals, but local opponents have their own ideas.
Do not disturb: In India, traditions and science protect sacred forestsPatches of virgin forest were long protected by worshippers of deities believed to live there. Scientists are cataloging the ways they’re important.
First LookTo fight CO2 emissions, cities stake out their own solutionsIncreasingly, cities are tackling climate change with their own initiatives. While sometimes constrained by national policies, cities are also responsible for a disproportionate amount of carbon dioxide emissions, says a new report.
