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
Zambia’s Bamboo bicycles
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A company in Zambia is assembling bicycle frames made of sustainable bamboo for sale in the United States. Reporter Jo Fidgen has the story.
Geo Quiz
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Our daily geography quiz.
Traveling circuses
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The circus is coming! … to today’s Geo Quiz. Things will be a little different the next time the circus comes to town. That holds true at least in the South American country we’re looking for today.
Geo Answer
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The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is Bolivia. Bolivia has a tough new national law that bans all animals, wild and domestic, in traveling circuses. Anchor Katy Clark speaks with animal rights campaigner (Animal Defenders International) Alexandra Cardenas about how Bolivia’s moving to prevent mistreatment and abuse of circus animals.
Signs of Climate Change on the Northwest Passage
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A sea at the top of the world figures in today’s Geo Quiz. We’re tracking a Canadian sailor who’s heading through the Northwest Passage. An ice free route across the northern reaches of Canada opened up a few years ago for the first time in memory.
Geo Quiz
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Our daily geography quiz.
Geo Answer
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Anchor Katy Clark speaks with Canadian sailor Cameron Dueck, who is attempting to sail through the Northwest Passage this summer… all 8000 nautical miles of it, across northern Canada. His path goes through the Beaufort Seam, which is the answer to our quiz today.
Africa’s food supply
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The United States recently joined other leading industrial nations to pledge 20 billion dollars towards improving farming in Africa. But as The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Morocco, some Africans are wary of this latest round of help from outside.
Is Organic More nutritious?
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Anchor Katy Clark has details on a new report that says organic food has no nutritional benefits over regular food.
Harnessing the Sun for North Africa and Beyond
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A group of European businesses is hoping to launch what would be the world’s most ambitious solar energy project — centered in North Africa. It’s a big vision…with big obstacles. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.
India’s nuclear development
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India has launched its first nuclear submarine. And the US is close to a deal that would allow India to re-process spent US nuclear fuel. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Henry Sokolski, of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, who is concerned about both developments.
Solar thermal power: From the US to Spain and Back
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Cynthia Graber reports on a kind of renewable energy technology known as “solar thermal” and why most companies that specialize in “solar thermal” are located in Spain.
Cambodia’s Unique Lake Threatened
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The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports on Southeast Asia’s largest lake — Cambodia’s Tonle Sap — and why environmentalists are worried about its future. Dams, logging and overfishing are some of the factors threatening the lake’s ecosystem.
Who’s got the Biggest carbon appetite?
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Anchor Lisa Mullins reports on a new study that includes imported consumer goods when calculating a nation’s carbon footprint.
Geo answer
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Today we were looking for the island home of a giant tortoise named Lonesome George. The answer is La Pinta — one of the Galapagos Islands. Lonesome George is thought to be the last of his kind of tortoise, but now there’s word he may soon be a father. Anchor Lisa Mullins gets the story from conservationist Linda Cayot.
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