News & Commentary

Polar Bears’ Other Threat

December 31, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, CanadaAlexandra Zissu

It’s not just climate change that’s killing this iconic endangered species. Hunting is on the rise, too.

How the West Can Be Won

December 31, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, WestVirginia Sole-Smith

Protecting these nine species will help save the region's iconic sagebrush prairies, grasslands, and mountains.

Flexibility Test

December 23, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, New JerseyElizabeth Royte

Plastic-pouch food packaging is showing up everywhere—except at recycling facilities.

Save Our Heritage!

December 16, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesAlisa Opar

A popular conservation program became a bargaining chip in a bid to lift the crude oil export ban.

Promises, Promises

December 15, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalBrian Palmer

Cities, states, and businesses—not just those world leaders in Paris—will save us from climate change. Here’s what they’re going to do.

Gobbler-smacked

November 25, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesAlisa Opar

GPS tracking is giving us a revealing peek into wild turkeys’ sex lives, defense mechanisms, and more.

Unbearable Decisions

October 26, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesAlisa Opar

To kill or not to kill: How wildlife officials decide what to do with “problem bears.”

The Bee-Free Diet

October 23, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Would you die without bees to pollinate your food?

Just About Everyone vs. Gina McCarthy

October 14, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

This is who will be attacking President Obama’s Clean Power Plan in court.

Which Countries' COP21 Climate Pledges Made the Grade?

September 22, 2015 ExplainerChina, United States, Mexico, Canada, InternationalNicole Greenfield

What countries got right and what still has room for improvement.

5 Ways Cities Are Preparing for a Dry (or Flooded) Future

August 31, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesKim Castleberry

Ditch-diggers and cement trucks? Try trees and rainwater cisterns. City planners across the country are realizing that green infrastructure is the key to climate resilience.

6 Cities That Are Ready for Climate Change

August 31, 2015 ExplainerNew York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Portland (Oregon), San AntonioKim Castleberry

By embracing green infrastructure, these urban areas have a solid defense against increased drought or flood.

The Speed Sweet Spot

August 28, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Not too fast, not too slow—how driving speed and free-flowing traffic can lower the carbon emissions from our tailpipes.

10 Things You Didn't Know About the Endangered Species Act

August 21, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesSarah Engler

We’ve all heard about it, but few of us really understand why this piece of legislation from the 1970s is so important—and in need of protection itself.

Reinventing the Wind Turbine

August 21, 2015 ExplainerUnited States

We need wind farms to produce renewable power, and new solutions can keep the giant turbines from also harming birds and bats.

Hot Water

August 18, 2015 ExplainerWest, United StatesBrian Palmer

Uranium mining threatens aquifers that could provide the drought-stricken West with emergency water supplies.

The Story of Silent Spring

August 13, 2015 ExplainerUnited States

How a courageous woman took on the chemical industry and raised important questions about humankind's impact on nature.

China Commits to Cleaning Up

August 13, 2015 ExplainerChinaNicole Greenfield

The planet's largest carbon emitter is taking steps to brighten their future—and the world's.

More for Less

August 13, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Understand energy efficiency, and you’ll understand how the Clean Power Plan works.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (from Distant Flames)

August 7, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, Colorado, Alaska, CaliforniaAlisa Opar

Wildfires may be harming the health of people who live hundreds or thousands of miles from the flames.