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
Geo Quiz Answer
For our Geo Quiz, quiz, we’re looking for a rocky archipelago off Norway’s northwest coast. The answer is Lofoten, where marine biologist Hieke Vester studies and records communication among marine mammals. The World’s David Leveille has the story. Listen
Kenya cuts down on officials’ luxuries
Anchor Lisa Mullins tells us how Kenyan politicians are taking the news that they must trade in their luxury cars for fuel-efficient cars. Listen
Solar Panels good business in Germany
Germany’s commitment to cutting greenhouse gases is also paying benefits in economic development. Correspondent Kathleen Schalch reports from eastern Germany, where solar panels are big business. Listen
Eco-cooker, Generation Google, Kiva in the US
Since Clark Boyd has deemed it fit to swan off around the country with his college buddies this week, it falls to me to fill his ample shoes. Really, the man’s feet are huge. Three stories today: the first is a look at an impressive piece of engineering – a cooker that its makers claim reduces carbon emissions by a staggering degree. Listen
Collapse of the Mediterranean bluefin tuna (5:30)
Fishermen have been pulling bluefin tuna from the Mediterranean for thousands of years. But now overfishing in the Mediterranean is taking its toll. And the bluefin tuna population is crashing. The World’s Gerry Hadden has the story. Listen
The New Prius: Toyota’s bright spot (4:15)
Correspondent Akiko Fujita reports on good news for Toyota in Japan. The new Prius is in high demand, and Prius factories there are humming again. Download the MP3
Tasmanian Devil on the Brink of Extinction
A deadly cancer is threatening to wipe out Tasmania’s most famous resident — the Tasmanian devil. Reporter Jake Warga has the story. Listen
A butterfly comeback
Anchor Marco Werman has details on the successful re-introduction of the large blue butterfly… 30 years after it was declared extinct in Britain. Listen
Mysterious rainforest in Mozambique
The BBC’s Jonah Fisher takes us into a rainforest in Mozambique that scientists were unaware of until they picked up evidence of it in a Google Earth search last year. Listen
Innovative Plan to Protect Bogota’s Water Supply
The World’s Marco Werman reports from Bogota, Colombia, on an innovative partnership aimed at protecting the region’s delicate watershed. Listen
Shell oil settles Nigeria lawsuit
The oil company Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of human rights abuses in Nigeria. Shell is paying out 15.5 million dollars to relatives of the Nigerian writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and others executed in 1995. The lawsuit claimed Shell was complicit in their deaths, though Shell did [...]
How would you overcome America’s dependency on foreign oil?
President Obama has called for the U.S. to become energy independent, saying its reliance on foreign oil and global warming posed threats. Outlining his energy priorities, he said the country would not be held “hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and a warming planet”.
Green Homes in Canada, and New Fuel Efficiency Standards in the U.S.
Jason Margolis assumes command of the podcast this week. We take you north to Canada to hear about an effort to “green” a million wartime-era homes. Then, we offer a global assessment of the new fuel efficiency standards announced by the Obama Administration. Listen
Clearing a Path for the Jaguar
National parks around the world provide important refuge for people and wildlife. They’re places where humans can reconnect with the natural world and where animals are protected from human encroachment. But parks rarely provide enough habitat to ensure the survival of an entire species. This is especially true of large predators like jaguars. Jaguars are the biggest cats in the all of the Americas. And in Central America, scientists are trying to protect Jaguars by finding and protecting the corridors that the cats use as they roam from park to park. Julia Kumari Drapkin reports from Panama.
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