Our Stories

Latest News

Central American farmers are swapping coffee for cocoa -

Climate change has hit previously successful coffee plantations with drought, coffee borer beetles, and other business breakers. So some farmers are switching to cocoa, which is cheaper to grow, sells well on the international market, and can benefit the environment by protecting local water basins and wildlife. Reuters

Hawaii may ban swimming with dolphins -

The National Marine Fisheries Service says the popular tourist activity is too stressful for nocturnal spinner dolphins because the animals aren't getting enough rest during the day. A new ban would extend 2 nautical miles from the shore and require swimmers to stay at least 50 yards away from the dolphins. Associated Press

Wind power is booming in the United States -

A new report released by the Department of Energy says the country now generates more electricity from wind than any other country in the world, and we takes the number 2 slot, after China, for installed wind capacity. Even so, wind provides just 5.6 percent of U.S. electricity—but as it gets cheaper and turbines improve, that number is likely to rise. Vox

President Obama heads to flood-devastated Louisiana. -

The president is visiting Baton Rouge today to tour areas inundated by a recent storm and discuss recovery plans. Intense deluges like the one that dumped more than 2.5 feet of rain on the Pelican State are likely to become more frequent with climate change. Reuters 

The shift in climatic extremes will affect just about anything in a park, other than the solid rock.

Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Arizona, discusses how the National Park Service is planning for climate change (despite an inadequate budget).

Study adds evidence that pesticides are harming bees -

An 18-year study of wild bee populations in England found that the insects that foraged on crops treated with neonicotinoid pesticides experienced three times the negative effects of populations that foraged on other plants. Until now, most studies have been short-term and focused on just one bee species. Washington Post