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
Antarctica: New Method Finds Twice as Many Emperor Penguins
A new census of emperor penguins in Antarctica has found that there are roughly twice as many as had been estimated. But researchers say the new numbers don’t change the fact that Antarctic penguins are seriously threatened by climate change. Host Lisa Mullins speaks with researcher Michelle LaRue.
Scotland to Open Gold Mine in Loch Lomond National Park
As gold prices are soaring, Scotland is set to open a new gold mine inside the Loch Lomond National Park in the highlands.
Whale Alert: A New Smart App to Save Endangered Whales
A new smart app called “Whale Alert!” that has been designed to help prevent ships from colliding with endangered North Atlantic Right Whales.
Citizen Science Goes Dutch
One of my favorite websites, hands down, is Stuff Dutch People Like (#22: Hairgel! #27: Picking Their Noses!). Yeah, check it out. Posts usually come complete with video and/or photographic evidence. Now I get to add one to the list: phenology [...]
Looking for Consequences of Shifting Seasons
The shifting of the seasons as the world warms up is putting a new focus on the field of phenology. It is the study of the timing of seasonal events like the emergence of a particular plant or insect. As The World’s Clark Boyd reports from The Netherlands, scientists are trying to track winners, losers and ecological relationships that are getting out of whack.
Scientists Repel Sharks – to Save Them
An American chemist says he’s found a substance – several, in fact – that can repel some of the most fearsome predators in the ocean, and he wants to use his discovery to protect them. Reporter Ari Daniel Shapiro of our partner program NOVA has the story.
Tracing the Ocean’s Ingredients
The world’s oceans are full of salt and also contain ingredients vital to marine life and the Earth’s climate. Reporter Ari Daniel Shapiro of our partner program NOVA met up with a French scientist who’s studying the chemistry of seawater for clues to our planet’s future.
What Drives the Price of Oil?
Marco Werman talks with Michael Klare, professor of Peace and World Security Studies at Hampshire College, about the forces that drive oil prices up and down.
From Inside Fukushima Reactor, New Data Raises New Worries
Anchor Marco Werman speaks with The World’s environment editor Peter Thomson about the latest news from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant.
A Year After Fukushima, Clean Energy Still Just a Promise in Japan
One year after the Fukushima disaster nearly all of Japan’s 54 nuclear power plants are out of service and the country is facing a major power crunch. The government has promised a major shift toward cleaner renewable energy to help fill the gap. But as Sam Eaton reports, the country’s clean energy revolution has yet to get much traction.
AP: Simple “Math and History” Show No Link Between US Oil Production and Gas Prices
Associated Press reporters Jack Gillum and Seth Borenstein analyzed 36 years of monthly data on gasoline prices and US domestic oil production and found no statistical correlation between them [...]
Where Would Keystone XL’s Canadian Oil Go? And Does it Matter?
Proponents contend that this oil will increase US “energy security” and decrease US reliance on other sources of foreign oil. Opponents argue that the refined products will end up going overseas. In fact, both may be partly right. But that just begs a bigger question: What is energy security, and and how does or doesn’t this pipeline help us achieve it? [...]
Labrador Hydro Battle Puts Focus on Conflicting ‘Green’ Claims
The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador plans to build two huge new hydroelectric dams on the Churchill river. Backers say the dams will be an important source of low-carbon electricity while opponents warn against it.
Canada: The Emerging Energy Superpower to the North
In recent years, Canada has quietly become the largest exporter of energy to the US and some Canadians aren’t so happy about the environmental consequences for their country. Brian Mann reports on the emergence of Canada as an energy superpower.
Japan: A Future After The Tsunami
The massive earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011 has caused the greatest crisis in that country since the second world war. With towns wiped off the map, 20,000 dead or missing and an ongoing nuclear nightmare around the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the disaster has already cost billions and displaced tens of thousands, and will reverberate far into Japan’s future.
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