The state of the world’s environment is one of the most important stories of the new century. Debates over the impact of climate change reverberate throughout the globe. So do disputes about what actions might be necessary, both to preserve the environment and to develop sources of energy for a growing global community.
The World’s environment coverage, led by environment editor Peter Thomson, examines the health of the planet and explores the impacts of human activity on everything from the earth’s ecosystems to the food we put on our plates.
Environment
Breakthrough Antarctic Finding: Life in Subglacial Lake
In the culmination of a years-long effort, American scientists say they’ve found signs of life in isolated lakes deep beneath Antarctica.
Mexico’s Bat Man: Fighting to Protect Maligned Creatures
Rodrigo Medellin is Mexico’s premier bat biologist, and he’s out to save the animals he studies. Medellin is trying to convince his fellow countrymen that bats deserve protection. After all, he says, if Mexico had no bats, there would be no tequila. NOVA’s Ari Daniel Shapiro reports.
Green Energy Milestone: Industry Says Wind is Spain’s Top Electricity Source
For the first time ever, wind power was the top source of electricity in Spain over the last three months. So says the country’s wind power association.
In Mexico City, Harvesting Water from the Sky
Faced with chronic water shortages, many residents of Mexico City aren’t wafting for the city government to fix things. They’re turning to the sky. Ari Daniel Shapiro reports on the growing practice of rainwater harvesting.
A Clean Air Act For China?
China is suffering through its fourth bout of extreme air pollution in the past month. It’s gotten so bad that people online are calling for a China version of the Clean Air Act.
Antarctica Warming Raises Sea Level Rise Risk
![Spatial pattern of temperature trends (degrees Celsius per decade) from reconstruction using infrared (TIR) satellite data. (EJ Steig et al. Nature 457, 459-462 [2009] doi:10.1038/nature07669, used by permission.)](http://www.theworld.org/wp-content/uploads/nature07669-pf3-95x95.jpg "Spatial pattern of temperature trends (degrees Celsius per decade) from reconstruction using infrared (TIR) satellite data. (EJ Steig et al. Nature 457, 459-462 [2009] doi:10.1038/nature07669, used by permission.)")
Antarctica has long been considered a last redoubt of cold in a warming globe. But new science suggests that a key part of Antarctica is warming up fast. As Sam Eaton reports, the finding could cause scientists to rethink their sea level projections for later this century.
Working the Oil Fields of Africa
The growing demand for Africa’s natural resources has meant work for experienced energy industry experts, including many from the US and Canada.
Tuna’s Last Stand?
The southern Pacific is home to some of the last healthy tuna populations, but they’re coming under intense pressure from international fishing fleets.
Report: Soot 2nd Biggest Contributor to Global Warming
Soot from diesel engines and coal smoke was a main culprit in the recent Beijing smog crisis. Now a new report says soot is also a much bigger contributor to global warming than had been thought. Host Marco Werman gets the latest on soot from The World’s environment editor Peter Thomson.
Beijing Residents Struggle to Cope with Off-the-Charts Air Pollution
Off-the-charts air pollution in Beijing has affected all residents of the Chinese capital in recent days, including The World’s Mary Kay Magistad. She speaks with anchor Jeb Sharp about what life in Beijing is like when the air becomes unbreathable.
Stargazers Discovering the UK’s ‘Dark Sky’ Locations
Stargazers in the UK are compiling a list of “dark sky ” locations around England, Scotland, and Wales where its dark enough for anyone to enjoy a good view of the night sky.
Chinese Mayor Apologizes for Delayed Reporting of Chemical Spill
The mayor of a Chinese city is apologizing for waiting five days to report a chemical leak at a local factory. By then nearly nine tons of a toxic chemical had spilled into a local river and contaminated the water supply of a neighboring city.
Could Car Sharing Work in a Place Like China?
As millions of more Chinese enter the middle class, many are demanding a key passport to that lifestyle: a car. Millions throughout the developing world have the same demand. The world can’t sustain this. One possible solution: car sharing.
In Kenya, Violent Elephant Poaching Increases at an Alarming Rate
The New York Times’ Jeffrey Gettleman talks about the latest massacre of 11 elephants — killed by poachers for their ivory tusks in Kenya. He said that as a pound of ivory can fetch upwards of $1,000 in Beijing, there is little chance this violent and illegal trade will slow down anytime soon in Central Africa.
Wildfires Scorch Australia
Australia’s southeastern region is suffering from soaring high temperatures and hundreds of scattered bushfires that are burning thousands of acres of forests and farmland.
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