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
Pacific island nation
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The US is among several countries taking part in a regional climate change summit this week. The meeting is in Tarawa. Our Geo Quiz question is, where exactly is Tarawa? Download MP3
India’s nuclear power plans hit bumps
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The World’s Rhitu Chatterjee reports on some of the obstacles to India’s ambitious plans for nuclear power. There are concerns within India about liability in the case of accidents and land takings to build the plants. (Photo: Rhitu Chatterjee) Download MP3
Video: Indian farmers protest a proposed nuclear plant in Gorakhpur
Science Forum: nuclear power in Asia
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Many Asian nations have big plans for nuclear power. Marco Werman talks about the trend with nuclear analyst M. V. Ramana of Princeton University.Download MP3
What do you think about the tradeoffs of nuclear power? And should the U.S follow Asia’s lead? Bring your thoughts and questions to our online Science Forum discussion with Dr. Ramana, and his colleague, Dr. Alexander Glaser.
Join the conversation in our latest Science Forum
Three listeners share their thoughts
Election results and climate policy
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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with The World’s Environment Editor, Peter Thomson, about the impact of yesterday’s mid-term elections on U-S climate and energy policy.Download MP3
Nations agree on steps to protect nature
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Nearly 200 nations agreed to an ambitious plan to protect endangered plants, animals and ecosystems. The BBC’s Richard Black shares the last-minute agreement at the UN’s biodiversity summit in Japan.Download MP3 (Photo: Sasata)Global guidelines for social responsibility
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The British Standards Institution has come up with a guide to help companies, organizations, and governments act in a more socially responsible way. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Vincent Cassidy of the British Standards Institute to get more details.Download MP3
Narwhal oceanographers
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We’re looking for a bay that lies between Greenland and Canada. Scientists there have been monitoring ocean temperatures: they’re looking into how quickly the region’s climate is changing and they’re enlisting what they call “biological oceanographers”…Download MP3Biodiversity as natural capital
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One fifth of animal and plant species are threatened by extinction, a global study warns, but conservation efforts have pulled some back from the brink. Host Lisa Mullins talks with biologist Thomas Lovejoy about the economic value of biodiversity and intact ecosystems. Lovejoy is in Nagoya, Japan, for a global summit on the biodiveristy crisis. Download MP3Video:Thomas Lovejoy on marketing for biodiversity
The Wildcat of Scotland
Some of the world’s most endangered wildlife are obscure species, haunting far-flung corners of the planet, but other endangered creatures are much more familiar. Reporter Ari Daniel Shapiro recently traveled to Scotland, which is the last refuge of a small wild cat that has prowled parts of Great Britain since the last ice age. (Photo: Peter Cairns)
Death of the Emperor
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A wild creature shows up this time in the Geo Quiz. We’re talking about a very large male deer, a stag. He is referred to as the Emperor and his domain, for the past 12 or so years, has been a national park in the southwest of England. But now he’s been shot and no one knows who did it. Download MP3Green automobiles
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The Geo Quiz is clean and green this time. Report cards got handed out today: the Union of Concerned Scientists’ clean vehicle program has ranked automakers and their cars. The question is, where are the top three green automakers based, according to the survey? Extra credit if you guess where the bottom three are based. Download MP3Mexican farmers battle erosion and drought
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Hillside farmers in Oaxaca, Mexico, are experimenting with low-tech, traditional methods to stem erosion and retain water. The efforts are a response to increasing floods and landslides, like those caused by a series of late-summer storms in the region. Shannon Young reports. (Photo: Shannon Young) Download MP3Italy’s pine nut pest
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Download MP3An insect from North America is wreaking havoc on Italy’s pine nut harvest, and a tiny wasp may be able to help. Megan Williams reports from Tuscany.
US, Cuba scientists cooperate on Gulf research
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Download MP3For the first time in decades, scientists from Cuba and the US are officially collaborating on Gulf of Mexico research. Lygia Navarro reports from Sarasota, Florida.
Pakistan floodwaters also bring new life
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Download MP3In Pakistan, the floodwaters that wiped out whole communities this summer also brought new life to an ecosystem that had been sucked dry. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Adil Najam, a professor of international relations, geography and the environment at Boston University.
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