News & Commentary

Evolutionary Imbalance Hypothesis: An Alien Theory

February 24, 2015 ExplainerInternationalBrian Palmer

What regions produce more invasive species, and which are most vulnerable? Biodiversity may be the key.

The Fishing Industry on Acid

February 23, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Ocean acidification will hit coastal communities like these the hardest.

Back from the Dead Zone

February 23, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesSusan Cosier

Doing just a little to curb fertilizer pollution in the Mississippi could go a long way to breathing life back into the Gulf.

Bird's Eye View

February 20, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesJason Bittel

The story of one region’s seagulls reveals the enormous and surprising influence humans have on the environment.

Gentlemen, Stop Your Engines

February 20, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

You spend 2 percent of driving time at traffic lights, but inhale 25 percent of your air pollution there.

Lord of the Tree Rings

February 18, 2015 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

Benjamin Cook looks at ancient trees to forecast future droughts. His latest findings are not good news for the West.

Pyroprocessing: A Hot-Button Issue

February 18, 2015 ExplainerInternationalBrian Palmer

Is recycling always a good idea—what if we’re talking about radioactive waste?

Off the Rails

February 17, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Oil trains keep jumping the tracks, setting towns ablaze, and contaminating water supplies. Here’s why.

California, Here Dry Come!

February 13, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaBrian Palmer

A new study shows that the current California drought is nothing compared to what’s coming.

Fall Guys

February 12, 2015 Latest NewsCanadaJason Bittel

Canada is killing wolves to save endangered caribou. The real problem? Tar sands development.

Teaming Up with Termites

February 11, 2015 Latest NewsJason Bittel

The insects’ mounds may be unlikely allies in the fight against desertification.

The Glow Man and the Sea

February 11, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesAlisa Opar

This summer John Sparks will don a 530-pound suit and plunge 1,000 feet into the Atlantic—all to find some Day-Glo fish.

Give Peas a Chance?

February 10, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesSusan Cosier

As lunchroom fights rage in Congress, some school officials are offering both carrots and sticks.

Too Hot to Handle

February 9, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Heat waves are becoming more frequent and deadly (suddenly winter seems a lot less threatening).

Six More Weeks of Subsidies

February 9, 2015 Latest NewsBrian Palmer

The president wants to end fossil fuel subsidies—again. It must be Groundhog Day.

Sea to Table

February 5, 2015 DispatchWestAlisa Opar

Consumers are increasingly getting to know their local fish—and fishermen—through companies that cut out the middleman.

Iceland is Rising

February 4, 2015 Latest NewsInternationalBrian Palmer

Literally. Because of climate change.

EPA: Keystone Fails on Climate

February 3, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesClara Chaisson

In a letter to the State Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns of the pipeline's hefty carbon contribution.

The Dusty City

February 3, 2015 DispatchChicagoSusan Cosier

Chicago is trying to limit how much petcoke the tar sands industry moves (and spreads) around town.

Making Heads and Tails of It

January 30, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

There’s some guesswork in climate modeling, and a new study proves that’s OK.