All Environment
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 – but that's not the problem, scientists aver.
How China’s 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.
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.
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.
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.
‘Climate kids’ seek action – 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.
FocusCan Idaho wolves shed their 'big bad' reputation?As humans expand into wild areas and endangered species gain new ground, people are increasingly clashing with predators. 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 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.
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 – and a highly visited tourist destination – has lost 60 percent of its mass and shrunk 250 meters since 1982, researchers say.
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. In Colorado, both visions have played out. And this November, the two perspectives face off on the ballot.
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’s 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?
Amid dire climate warnings, blue state pledges carry new weightWith thousands of scientists calling for transformational climate action, many Americans are looking to local governments to lead the climate action charge. How close can regional efforts take us?
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.
