News & Commentary

Powering Down

April 1, 2015 DispatchCaliforniaAlisa Opar

California’s proposed energy-efficiency standards for computers could make the screen time of all Americans easier on the climate.

Let's Get Wasted!

March 30, 2015 DispatchNew York CityClara Chaisson

A pop-up restaurant gives trash-bound food a place at the table.

Put Carson on the $20

March 27, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesPerrin Ireland

There's a campaign to put a historic female figure on paper currency. The competition is tough, but environmentalists have a clear favorite.

Out of Control from the Moment of the Blowout

March 27, 2015 PerspectivesLouisianaBrian Palmer

Former offshore drilling regulator Liz Birnbaum talks about what went wrong in the Gulf (and why drilling the Atlantic is a bad idea).

An Argument of Degree

March 27, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

An IPCC author assails the two-degree target as scientifically bankrupt and geographically biased.

The Elephant in the Room

March 25, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesMelissa Mahony

A year after the president promised a national ivory ban, we're still waiting.

Climate Running AMOC

March 25, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

A new study suggests that melting ice is slowing the seas’ important thermohaline currents.

How Ancient Sea Creatures Licked Their Way onto Land

March 25, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesPerrin Ireland

A weekly roundup of the best in science journalism, doodled.

You Really Fracked Up This Time, Feds

March 25, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Three ways the new drilling rules for federal lands fall short.

May it Sleaze the Court

March 23, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Utilities want the Supreme Court to reverse life-saving pollution standards on a technicality.

Diseases on the Move

March 18, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesSusan Cosier

Climate change helps freeloading parasites spread illness. To fight future outbreaks, we need to think of the offenders in a whole new light.

The First Rule of Global Warming...

March 17, 2015 Latest NewsFloridaBrian Palmer

Can Florida really stop its employees from talking about climate change?

Dr. Ruth of the Sea

March 16, 2015 Latest NewsUnited States

Uncovering the secrets to sex on the reef could help conserve a rare species of coral.

The Big Green Discount

March 13, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

States that produce renewable energy have cheap electricity.

Social Media Slaughter

March 12, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesJason Bittel

Social media and e-commerce sites are the new battlegrounds for the illegal wildlife trade.

The Call of the Bugle

March 12, 2015 DispatchKentucky, WisconsinSusan Cosier

This spring elk from Kentucky will be migrating (by truck) to Wisconsin.

Another Reason to Dislike Coal Companies

March 11, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesBrian Palmer

They're ripping off taxpayers.

Old Cow, New Tricks

March 10, 2015 DispatchWestAlisa Opar

Desert-friendly cattle that came over with Columbus might be better bovines for the drought-plagued West.

Obama Talks Keystone XL...Again

March 9, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

The president talked at length about the pipeline last week. Here’s where he’s right and where he’s wrong.

Are Tar Sands Going the Way of the Dodo?

March 6, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Energy companies are canceling their tar sands projects.