Extreme weather events increase risk of conflict

A new study argues that disasters like heat waves and droughts, which are on the rise with climate change, increase tensions in ethnically diverse countries, making them more vulnerable to outbreaks of violence. The researchers found that since 1980, 23 percent of the conflicts in these multi-cultural places have coincided with weather disasters—compared with just 9 percent of them worldwide. Reuters

Solar plane completes its trip around the world!

Solar Impulse 2, a solar-powered aircraft co-piloted by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, touched down in Abu Dhabi early this morning. Since it first took off in March 2015, the plane has overcome months of delays to spend more than 23 days in the airEven so, the flight is a major milestone for planes running on nothing but sun. The Guardian

Indonesian tour guides are buying up land to protect wildlife

The Orangutan Green Team, a group of 28 guides, have now bought 73 hectares of land along a river near Tanjung Puting National Park. The reason? To keep palm oil development from encroaching on the habitat of the thousands of orangutans, 200 different bird species, and other rare wildlife that live in the park. ABC

Many Americans don't realize the environmental consequences of food waste

A new national survey finds that less than 60 percent of respondents know wasting food is bad for the environment. (Trashing food squanders the resources that went into growing and transporting it—plus, the garbage releases lots of methane when rotting in landfills). Awareness of the issue, however, is rising. One promising sign: Walmart plans to start selling imperfect-looking produce that doesn't usually make it onto shelves. Bloomberg

It’s time to decouple economic growth from overuse of resources

Global material extraction tripled between 1970 and 2010, with people in developed countries consuming up to ten times more resources than those in developing countries. A new report by CSIRO and the UN Environment Program outlines steps—such as creating walkable cities, reducing meat consumption, and embracing renewable energy—the world can take to foster economic growth while using natural resources sustainably. The Conversation

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