Africa unites for climate change

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Recent climate negotiations have been dominated by disputes between China and the United States, the two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. But amid all the wrangling by the giants, the concerns of small nations have often gotten short shrift. That is one reason African countries have decided to work together more closely this year. Myles Estey has more from the UN conference site in Cancun. Download MP3

Old ship logs help predict weather patterns

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Climate scientists want to use weather reports made by British sailors in World War I but they are hidden in handwritten ship logs, and impossible for computer scanners to read. So the scientists have enlisted online volunteers to grab that weather data for computer analysis. Along the way, transcribers are reading about sea battles and daily life nearly a century ago on a British war ship. The World’s Clark Boyd has more. Download MP3
>>>Video: More info about the Old Weather project

Cautious optimism in the Amazon

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Fewer trees were cut down in the Amazon rainforest this past year. Climate scientists say Brazil has done well, but deforestation is more than one nation’s problem. Marco Werman talks with Dr William Laurance of the Smithsonian Institution who has studied the Amazon for 15 years. (photo: Alex Gallafent) Download MP3

• The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institution (STRI)
• Alex Gallafent’s Amazon stories (2008)

Engineering the Climate: Who Gets to Decide?

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With countries largely stalemated over cuts in greenhouse gas pollution, many are looking to massive technological interventions to help cool the planet. But as The World’s Alex Gallafent reports, that raises a huge ethical question: Who gets to decide whether and when to use these? Download MP3

The World’s Science Forum

What’s your take on geoengineering? Should we try a technological fix to climate change? Bring your thoughts and questions to one of the people in this story – Scott Barrett of Columbia University. He’s the guest on our latest Science Forum. Join the discussion!

Sydney’s new water factory

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One of the world’s thirstiest major cities is getting a taste of things to come. Starting this winter, residents of Sydney, Australia are getting some of their drinking water from a brand new desalination plant. The plant was built after years of erratic rainfall. Phil Mercer reports from Sydney. Download MP3

• Phil Mercer’s BBC article from December 2009
• Australia.gov: Water for the Future

Parsing global climate change polls

Have you ever wondered why two polls on climate change, both done by credible organizations and both asking not dissimilar questions, can come up with strikingly different results? Well, so has political scientist Richard Worthington (pictured). Worthington’s in Copenhagen this week, and science journalist Daniel Grossman caught up with him. Continue reading by following the links below.

• Read the rest of this blog post
• Read Daniel’s post on Denmark’s most eco-friendly home

Challenges facing climate migrants

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Droughts, floods, and sea level rise caused by climate change could displace millions of people from their land. Where will these climate migrants go? The South Asian nation of Bangladesh is grappling with that question. Joanna Kakissis reports. Download MP3 (Photo: Ross Taylor)

• The World’s coverage of the Copenhagen Climate Conference
• More environment coverage on The World
• Dan Grossman’s story: “Raising Bangladesh”

Climate activists get creative

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Activists are already staging creative demonstrations at the climate change summit in Copenhagen. The World’s Marina Giovannelli looks at how different protest groups are vying for a spot on the international stage, and whether or not their efforts will sway the outcome of the negotiations. Download MP3 Photo: ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images

• Website for Climate Justice Action
• Video performance by The Institute for the Art and Practice of Dissent at Home

China: Global Warming Savior or Villain?

China is one of the planet’s biggest polluters, but it’s also a leader in efficient energy use and green technology. Starting today, China expert Julian Wong will appear in The World’s interactive science forum. Ask him questions, dispute his conclusions, and discuss the merits of solar power and pulverized coal. Can China save the world before it overheats? >>>Join the discussion in our science forum