All Environment
First LookAfter Harvey, unpublicized chemical spills come to lightMore than 100 chemical releases took place in Houston during or immediately after hurricane Harvey and most were never made public. Now, some locals are seeking to piece together the full picture of the storm's impact.
First LookIn fossil fuels lawsuit, judge turns courtroom into classroomUS District Judge William Alsup has asked lawyers representing San Francisco and Oakland, Calif., and those representing five major oil companies, to conduct research on the science of global warming and present their findings in a federal hearing.
First LookWorld's last male northern white rhino, Sudan, diesSudan 'stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength' as the world's only male northern white rhino. He was part of an attempt to save the subspecies from extinction after decades of poaching.
First LookWith tides rising, Bangladeshi farmers turn to flood-resistant crabsThe influx of salt water from rising sea levels has been incredibly destructive in low-lying Bangladesh. But for many agricultural communities, farming mud crabs may be key to fighting the economic damages brought on by flooding.
First LookStudying snowflakes could provide clues to atmospheric conditionsA team of researchers are trekking through New York's Catskill Mountains to collect snowflake samples that could provide information on climate change and snow melt patterns.
First LookDrought-hit Cameroon finds hope in seed farmsThe initiative, which provides farmers with stronger seeds, is not only helping Cameroon's farmers grow more to feed their families, but is also increasing crop production enough to support processing and export jobs, agriculture authorities say.
In the Sunshine State, a vision for a sustainable townFlorida's Babcock Ranch aims to mix environmental sustainability into a traditional small-town mold, weaving eco-friendly innovations with traditional models of development.
First LookCoastal research increasingly depends on citizen scientistsIn Oregon, citizen scientists with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program observe and record coastal observations as a way to protect and help scientists study their communities.
One film festival's quest to turn moviegoers into ocean stewardsDocumentarians at the International Ocean Film Festival aim to make audiences care about a world they may never witness for themselves.
Keeping the emerald ash borer in checkIn the past 15 years, invasive emerald ash borers have killed tens of millions of trees in 31 US states. What options do communities have to combat this voracious beetle?
First LookWar on microfiber pollution starts in the laundry roomThe war on pollution is being waged on a microscopic level. Innovators are coming up with tools to keep tiny pieces of thread discharged from washing machines from reaching marine life, and eventually the dinner table.
How Florida fends off its slippery, scaly invadersWildlife biologists are tracking, trapping, and tallying the more than 50 species of non-native reptiles and amphibians that are threatening delicate ecosystems in the Everglades.
First LookCrowded cities search for nature-based solutions for residents' well-beingAs urban migration increases, cities are increasingly searching for ways to provide more greenery. A 11.4 million-euro project, which runs until 2022, is developing 'nature-based solutions,' such as street trees, parks, and green roofs and walls, across 11 European cities.
First LookSouth Korea considers restoring forest razed for OlympicsWith the Pyeongchang Games over, South Korea is beginning to deal with the long-term environmental consequences of hosting the Olympic Games. At the heart of the matter is the Jeongseon Alpine Center, built after 60,000 trees were removed from a mountain previously protected for its botanical diversity.
First LookSri Lanka's capital employs a system of pumps and canals to fight flooding risksAn uptick in floods during the monsoon season over the past decade has forced Colombo to plan for heavier rainfalls. The city is working on building a large pumping station that will suck up rainwater from flood-prone parts of Colombo and pump it out to the river.
First LookGerman court allows cities to institute diesel bansEnvironmentalists are celebrating the Tuesday ruling as a step toward reducing harmful emissions while industry leaders worry there could be economic damages in a nation that serves as headquarters for such automakers as Daimler, Volkswagen, and BMW.
First LookWarming oceans threaten Costa Rica's biodiversity and tourism industryLocal economies highly dependent on eco-tourism face increasing uncertainty with climate change. Scientists and locals are pushing for sustainable tourism practices to limit damage to reserves and ensure a steady income.
From fisherman to smuggler: How ocean pollution fuels Tunisian migrationPollution, unemployment, and a sense of desperation are driving previously law-abiding fishermen in Tunisia to consider selling their boats to smugglers.
First LookIndia's plan for an eco-friendly city asks farmers to give up their landThe new city of Amaravati, designed to be eco-friendly and sustainable, is seen as a new direction for Indian cities that are typically polluted and congested. However, there's been a push back from local farmers unwilling to relinquish fertile land to construction cranes.
First LookTrail Sisters want more women hiking on trailsTrail Sisters is an initiative meant to help women and girls feel more comfortable taking hikes. By inviting women to join walks lead by a female ranger the group hopes to dispel fears of being vulnerable in the woods.
