Scientific American Podcast: 60-Second Earth

New Map Knows Noise

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 14:28:00 -0000

National Park Service researchers recorded ambient sound from all over the country to find out where there’s still stillness. David Biello reports

Oil-Eating Microbes Have Worldwide Underground Connections

Sun, 15 Feb 2015 11:00:00 -0000

Life thrives even deep inside Earth and scientists are beginning to suspect extensive connections among those underground environments. David Biello reports

Siberian Winters See Temp Uptick

Sun, 08 Feb 2015 12:00:00 -0000

The long-term winter warming of Russia’s far north has gotten a boost from industrialization. David Biello reports

Dig This: China Cuts Coal Production

Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:30:00 -0000

The biggest single source of global warming pollution actually started to shrink in 2014. David Biello reports

Is Recycling Worth the Effort?

Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:25:00 -0000

The value of recycling depends on the material in question and whether all hidden costs and benefits go into the analysis. David Biello reports

Tropical Forests Pay Price for Gold Rush

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:44:00 -0000

Desire for gold has made mining in tropical forests financially worthwhile, leading to ecosystem destruction. Cynthia Graber reports

Cheap Oil Means Raise the Gas T-Word

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 09:58:00 -0000

Low oil prices present an opportunity to come to grips with our crumbling infrastructure and the cost of climate change. David Biello reports

Meet the (Newest Known) Beetles!

Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:57:00 -0000

Researchers announced the discovery of 98 beetle species previously unknown to science. David Biello reports

Oil Spill Sullies World Heritage Site

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 18:55:00 -0000

The Sundarbans, part of the world's largest mangrove forest and stretching across India and Bangladesh, have been tarnished by a 350,000-liter oil spill. David Biello reports

Plummeting Petroleum Price Gases Up Global Warming

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 12:00:00 -0000

Good news for gas and oil consumers can be bad news for the environment. David Biello reports

Movies Can Boost Solar Power

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 09:00:00 -0000

The pattern that stores a film on a Blu-ray disc also can help improve photovoltaics. David Biello reports

Sun's Magnetic Field Boosts Earth Lightning

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 08:00:00 -0000

When the Sun's magnetic field is pointed away from Earth, lightning strikes in the U.K. go up 50 percent. Christopher Intagliata reports

Wildlife Crime? There's an App for That

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 18:50:00 -0000

A new tool may help officials crack down on the illegal wildlife trade. David Biello reports

Protected Areas Get Short Shrift

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:34:00 -0000

Protected land and sea areas serve the wildlife within them as well as the humans who live near them. But countries are backtracking on their financial commitments to these vital regions. Steve Mirsky reports

Clock Ticking on Climate Change Prevention

Sun, 02 Nov 2014 08:00:00 -0000

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's new synthesis report adds urgency to the need to cut additional greenhouse gas pollution

Better E-Waste Handling Helps Environment and Health

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 10:58:00 -0000

Plastic-removal machines will enable Ghana's e-waste recoverers to get at valuable metal guts without burning off the exteriors. David Biello reports

Bottling the Sun's Power on Earth

Sun, 19 Oct 2014 11:00:00 -0000

A breakthrough in fusion could solve the world's energy problems, but remains improbable. David Biello reports

Ebola Gorilla Vaccine Could Prevent Human Outbreaks

Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:36:00 -0000

Infected gorillas and chimps butchered for meat may be behind Ebola outbreaks. David Biello reports

Wildlife Population Plummeted Since 1970

Sun, 05 Oct 2014 10:35:00 -0000

A World Wildlife Fund report estimates losses of 40 percent of all individual land and sea animals, and a 70 percent population crash of all river animals, since 1970. David Biello reports

People Power Takes Aim at Climate Change

Sat, 20 Sep 2014 13:33:00 -0000

Participlants in the People's Climate March in New York City September 21st hope to persuade world leaders at the U.N. Climate Summit that follows. David Biello reports

Ozone Hole Closing Up, Thanks to Global Action

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:20:00 -0000

The world united to combat the ozone hole, can we do the same for climate change? David Biello reports

Historic Abundance of Blue Whales Returns in California

Sun, 07 Sep 2014 09:00:00 -0000

The mighty blue whale is back after being nearly hunted to extinction. David Biello reports

How to Save the Woods

Sun, 24 Aug 2014 14:30:00 -0000

The first step in solving the world's forest problem is recognizing the world's forest problem. David Biello reports

Spill Some Oil? Magnetize It for Cleanup

Sun, 17 Aug 2014 10:45:00 -0000

A physicist may have dreamed up a new way to clean up oil spills. David Biello reports

Antique Markets Used to Launder Poached Ivory

Mon, 11 Aug 2014 10:35:00 -0000

Legal ivory markets that are supposed to only deal in stockpiles and antiques inevitably launder poached ivory. Close them all, says WCS vice president for species conservation. David Biello reports

Bahamas Creation Linked to African Dust

Sun, 03 Aug 2014 12:41:00 -0000

Cyanobacteria fed by nutrients carried over the Atlantic in African dust may have initiated the process by which, over millions of years, calcium carbonate collected to build the Bahamas. David Biello reports

Some Coral Should Produce Shells in Acidifying Ocean

Sun, 27 Jul 2014 13:00:00 -0000

Of four common corals and algae tested, three still produced shells in conditions that mimic oceans if atmospheric CO2 concentrations reached 1,000 ppm. David Biello reports

Ants Could Help Warming Cry Uncle

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 09:36:00 -0000

At test sites, the exposure of rock by ants accelerated the absorption of atmospheric CO2 by the rock by as much as 335 times compared with ant-free areas. David Biello reports

Urban Growth Defines This Century

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:36:00 -0000

How existing cities expand and new cities emerge will determine how humanity fares in the 21st century. David Biello reports

Environmental Crime Funds Terrorism

Sun, 29 Jun 2014 12:43:00 -0000

Environmental destruction—from smuggling elephant tusks to illegal dumping of toxic waste—generates as much as $213 billion annually for criminals and terrorists. David Biello reports

Future Smog Looks More Persistent

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:05:00 -0000

Computer models show that increased levels of greenhouse gases, along with their trapped heat, will make the atmosphere more stagnant, leading to many more days of unhealthy air. David Biello reports.

Poisoned Poor Killed in Millions by Pollution

Sun, 15 Jun 2014 09:10:00 -0000

The Global Alliance on Health and Pollution calls for a war against pollution to save the lives of more than eight million people annually. David Biello reports

I Just Want to Say One Word to You: Plastiglomerate

Sun, 08 Jun 2014 11:12:00 -0000

Thanks to us humans, there's a new type of rock in the geologic record. And it's part plastic. David Biello reports

Better Car Labeling Could Pump Up Fuel Efficiency

Sun, 01 Jun 2014 10:20:00 -0000

When gas mileage cost was explicitly revealed on new car window stickers, potential consumers were more likely to choose the most efficient vehicle. David Biello reports.

Pope Francis Pleas for the Environment

Sun, 25 May 2014 12:30:00 -0000

In a May 21 speech Pope Francis warned that despoiling the environment would come back to haunt humanity. David Biello reports

Poetry Poster Sucks Up Smog

Mon, 19 May 2014 10:32:00 -0000

A building-sized poem shows how billboards could help cut pollution from cars. David Biello reports

Hurricanes Move Away from Equator with Expanding Tropics

Wed, 14 May 2014 19:30:00 -0000

Since the 1970s the locations where tropical cyclones (hurricanes and typhoons) reach their maximum intensities have shifted toward both poles at a rate of about 35 miles per decade. David Biello reports

Bumper Corn Looks Dicey in Drought

Mon, 05 May 2014 16:42:00 -0000

Corn plants bred to be planted very close together thrive in good weather but appear to be particularly vulnerable to the droughts predicted in the coming decades. Cynthia Graber reports

Biodiversity Survives Extinctions for Now

Sun, 20 Apr 2014 09:56:00 -0000

A meta-analysis of ecosystems finds that species losses in any given place do not yet translate to large changes in the number of different species in that place. David Biello reports

Earthquake Deflection Takes a Tiny Step

Sun, 06 Apr 2014 13:15:00 -0000

Building on light-cloaking work, physicists took a small step toward the goal of shielding cities from earthquakes by deflecting incoming energy. David Biello reports

Citizen Environmental Monitoring Could Keep Officials Honest

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 17:47:00 -0000

Smartphones, cheap satellite imaging and crowdfunded enterprises have made citizen oversight possible that was undreamed of by past transparency advocates and environmentalists. David Biello reports

Space-Based Solar Collectors Could Have a Sunny Future

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 20:09:00 -0000

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory has a working prototype for a space-based solar energy collector and distributor that would beat the cloudy-day problem. David Biello reports

Realistic Climate Models Exhibit Greenhouse Gas Sensitivity

Sun, 16 Mar 2014 17:25:00 -0000

A consideration of the role of sootlike particulates and ozone implies that the climate should will not be insensitive to increasing levels of greenhouse gases. David Biello reports

Lighting May Cut Seed-Rich Bat Guano Production

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:43:00 -0000

Bats ate less fruit in lit areas than in dark ones, which may lessen their seed-dispersal activities needed to bring back slashed rainforests. Cynthia Graber reports.

Air-Gun Oil Exploration Wrongs Right Whales

Sun, 02 Mar 2014 19:05:00 -0000

The U.S. government has given industry permission to use of lethally loud seismic devices up and down the east coast. David Biello reports

Climate Currently Pays for Increased Human Wealth

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 13:00:00 -0000

A new study attempts to quantify CO2 emissions if economic growth continues. David Biello reports

Cities Befriend Select Plants and Animals

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 20:30:00 -0000

As more people move to cities, careful planning could mean a happy home for both humans and a substantial amount of wildlife. David Biello reports

Global Warming Freezes Penguin Chicks

Sun, 09 Feb 2014 09:00:00 -0000

More rain related to a warming climate soaks Magellanic penguin chicks to the skin before their waterproof feathers grow in, killing them from hypothermia. Allie Wilkinson reports

China Holiday Travel Puts Spotlight on Transportation

Sun, 02 Feb 2014 09:00:00 -0000

Lunar New Year means tens of millions of travelers in China, mostly by bus but increasingly by car, which is bad news for air quality. David Biello reports

If the Fuel Source Ain't Clean, Your Electric Car Ain't Green

Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:30:00 -0000

A host of factors determine the role of electric and hybrid cars in reducing greenhouse gas pollution, such as whether coal is their ultimate fuel source. David Biello reports

Heat Is on These Countries for the Heat

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 11:00:00 -0000

A new analysis calculates each of the world's countries total amount of CO2 pollution, along with responsibility for the ensuing global warming

Cold Outside? Forecast Calls for an Uptick in Global Warming Disbelief

Sun, 12 Jan 2014 13:01:08 -0000

The temperature outside governs most people's response to climate change. David Biello reports

The Biggest Stories on Earth

Sun, 29 Dec 2013 09:01:08 -0000

David Biello looks back at the big environmental stories of the year covered on 60-Second Earth

Don't Treat Old Gadgets Like Garbage

Sun, 22 Dec 2013 00:00:08 -0000

E-waste is a large--and growing--problem that can be addressed by thoughtful disposal, David Biello reports

How Many Partridges Are Really in that Pear Tree?

Sun, 15 Dec 2013 15:00:08 -0000

The annual Christmas Bird Count is revealing big changes in the avian world, thanks to us ground-dwellers. David Biello reports

Blame Heat Waves on Loss of Arctic Sea Ice

Sun, 08 Dec 2013 13:00:08 -0000

New research suggests a link between the precipitous meltdown of Arctic summer sea ice and broiling heat waves. David Biello reports

Dandruff Shampoo Could Mess Up Waterways

Sun, 01 Dec 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Toxicity testing on shampoo that fights flakes reveals that it's bad for plants and animals once it's in wastewater. David Biello reports

Human Health Depends on a Healthy Environment

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 11:01:08 -0000

A new study examines the links between environmental degradation and human illness. David Biello reports

Burying Coal Ash for Good

Sun, 17 Nov 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Five years later, what lessons have been learned from the Christmas coal ash spill? David Biello investigates

Ozone Hole History Offers Climate Lesson

Sun, 10 Nov 2013 13:01:08 -0000

The Montreal Protocol aimed to fix the ozone hole but it also delayed global warming. David Biello reports

Fertilizers Are (Nearly) Forever

Sun, 27 Oct 2013 09:00:08 -0000

While most fertilizer nitrogen ends up in plants, plenty sits in the soil for decades. David Biello reports

U.S. Government Shutdown Disrupts Earth Monitoring

Sun, 20 Oct 2013 09:00:08 -0000

From climate records to penguin counts, the shutdown of the U.S. government will have lasting science effects. David Biello reports

Climate Change Fight Needs Game Attitude

Sun, 13 Oct 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Game theory suggests that punishment for pollution has to come at the local level. David Biello reports

Airplane Pollution Needs To Descend

Sun, 06 Oct 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Airplanes may only contribute roughly 2 percent of the greenhouse gases warming the atmosphere. But they are one of the fastest growing sources. David Biello reports

Can Solar Power Be Cheap?

Sun, 29 Sep 2013 09:00:08 -0000

New technologies will be needed for photovoltaics to become cheap. David Biello reports

Fighting Climate Change Also Battles Disease

Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:01:08 -0000

Cutting down on greenhouse gas pollution could deliver health benefits. David Biello reports

Which Places Are Most Vulnerable to Climate Change?

Sun, 15 Sep 2013 13:01:08 -0000

Changes in the weather mean changes in ecosystems and a new report maps vulnerability. David Biello investigates

Trees Write Air Pollution Record In Wood

Sun, 08 Sep 2013 09:00:08 -0000

The red cedar trees of West Virginia reveal just how effective U.S. clean air laws have been. David Biello reports

Which Came First: Low CO2 or an Ice Age?

Sun, 01 Sep 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Look to the shells of marine algae to find the answer to historical global cooling. David Biello reports

Cellist Converts Climate Data To Song

Sun, 25 Aug 2013 18:40:08 -0000

University of Minnesota undergraduate Daniel Crawford studies geography and environmental science. He's also a cellist. He converted more than a century of global temperature data to create A Song of Our Warming Planet. Mark Fischetti reports.

How Many Ants Become World Travelers?

Sun, 18 Aug 2013 18:00:08 -0000

Just how many ant species are humans moving from place to place? David Biello reports

Big Animal Extinction Impoverishes Soil

Sun, 11 Aug 2013 13:01:08 -0000

Megafauna extinctions prove a key factor in reduced soil fertility. David Biello reports

Desert Shrubs Could Suck Up Carbon

Sun, 04 Aug 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Planting the shrub jatropha in arid regions worldwide could sequester enough carbon to offset the annual CO2 pollution of China, the E.U. and the U.S. combined. David Biello reports

How to Prevent Another Fukushima Explosion

Sun, 28 Jul 2013 09:00:08 -0000

A new material for protecting nuclear fuel could cut down on the risk of explosions. David Biello reports

When a Heat Wave Is the Future, You Need Better Air-Conditioning

Sun, 21 Jul 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Demand for A-C is only going to grow, so we'll need better technologies. David Biello reports

Where's the Best Place to Put a Wind Farm?

Sun, 14 Jul 2013 09:00:08 -0000

It's not just where it's windiest, according to new research. David Biello reports

Climate Change Alters Soil Bacteria Distribution

Sun, 07 Jul 2013 09:00:08 -0000

A warmer planet means that heat-seeking microbes will elbow out those that prefer life a bit more chilly, with unknown effects on the planet's ecology. Karen Hopkin reports

Is There a Formula for Better Cities?

Sun, 30 Jun 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Mathematical rules could allow for better city planning, David Biello reports

To Store More Carbon, Make Grasshoppers Nervous

Sun, 23 Jun 2013 10:00:08 -0000

Living in a landscape of fear means more of the greenhouse gas driving climate change gets stored in plants. David Biello reports

Climate Change Getting Worse by the Minute

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:00:08 -0000

The world is not on track to reduce, or even restrain global warming. David Biello reports

Plastic Bags Litter Seafloor

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 10:00:08 -0000

A new survey reveals that trash from our activities on land litters the bottom of the ocean, from shallow to deep. David Biello reports

400-Year-Old Plant Resurrected

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Moss can wait out being entombed in glacial ice for centuries. David Biello reports

Water Waste May Leave Us Thirsty

Sun, 26 May 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Humans are using and abusing freshwater resources at an accelerating rate. David Biello reports

Who's Paying the Price for Global Warming?

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:08 -0000

U.S. taxpayers have so far borne the brunt of climate change costs. David Biello reports

Moon Base Work Yields Clean Steel Process

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:08 -0000

A new method to make steel using electricity rather than flame could produce virtually no carbon emissions. David Biello reports

Remember the BP Oil Spill? Malformed Fish Do

Sun, 05 May 2013 09:00:08 -0000

A new study shows that sediments fouled with oil from the blowout in the Gulf of Mexico caused problems for fish embryos. David Biello reports

Air Gun Blasts Shatter Undersea Tranquility

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Proposals to open the U.S. east coast for oil and gas exploration mean an increasingly noisy neighborhood for marine life. David Biello reports

Is Sustainability Even Possible?

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:00:08 -0000

More than 40 years after Earth Day, human civilization is still far from the ideal of sustainability. David Biello reports

Cut Soot to Stave Off Sea Level Rise

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 13:01:08 -0000

Reducing certain kinds of air pollution could limit the rise of ocean waters and buy time to address CO2 emissions. David Biello reports

Penguin Species Could Be Climate Winner

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:39:08 -0000

Although climate change will cause massive disruption, it could benefit some species, such as the Adelie penguin. David Biello reports

Extinction May Not Be Forever

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 09:00:08 -0000

The tools of synthetic biology offer hope for the resurrection of extinct species. David Biello reports

Can a Pope Change the World?

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 09:00:08 -0000

New Pope Francis I called for protecting the environment, but it remains to be seen how that might happen. David Biello reports

Life Abides, Even in the Deep

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 14:01:08 -0000

An analysis of the deepest spot in the oceans finds signs of microbial life. David Biello reports

Chavez's Death Could Affect Oil Prices, Production and Pollution

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 09:00:08 -0000

Hugo Chavez's death may have an impact on the global oil market--and thus on the global climate as well. David Biello reports

Will There Be Enough Water?

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 10:00:08 -0000

Water demands continue to inch up year after year even as climate change queers supply. Can civilization cope? David Biello reports

How Skynet Could Help Save the Planet

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 07:01:08 -0000

Machine-to-machine communication offers an opportunity to make the modern world more energy efficient. David Biello reports

Insurance for Global Catastrophes, Whether Asteroids or Climate Change

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:08 -0000

Spend a little more time observing meteors or combating climate change, spend a little less time worrying about global catastrophes. David Biello reports

Roses Raise Environment Concerns

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 11:09:08 -0000

From water use to carbon emissions, raising and distributing roses has an environmental impact worse than many other crops. David Biello reports

Earthworm Invaders Up Soil Greenhouse Gases

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 23:33:08 -0000

The earthworm invasion of North America is increasing carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions from the soil. David Biello reports

Communication Towers Pluck Birds

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:33:08 -0000

Almost seven million birds are killed each year when they fly into communication towers. David Biello reports

Obama Pledges to Address Climate, Energy

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:02:08 -0000

In his second inaugural address, Pres. Barack Obama said the U.S. must respond to the threat of climate change and lead the development of sustainable energy

Electric Cars Need a New Sound

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 22:45:08 -0000

Federal guidelines will dictate that electric vehicles start making more noise at low speeds. David Biello reports

Oil Harvesting Goes to Extremes

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 12:19:08 -0000

The grounding of a drilling rig in Arctic waters illustrates the risks of pushing the boundaries of oil exploration and recovery. David Biello reports

We Look Back Earthily at 2012

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 08:00:08 -0000

Superstorms, electric cars, alternative fuels and Arctic sea ice all made environmental news in 2012. David Biello reports

Maya Civilization Provides a Real Apocalyptic Lesson

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Research shows that what laid low Mayan society was climate change, which brought prolonged drought. David Biello reports

Leaked Report Confirms Human-Induced Climate Change

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 12:30:08 -0000

The world is on track for warming of at least 2 degrees Celsius, according to a leaked draft of the next IPCC report. David Biello reports

Trouble and Toil Has Not Slowed the Boil

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:00:08 -0000

As climate change negotiations drag on, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, fulfilling scientists' predictions. David Biello reports

Sunlit Nanoparticles Turn Water to Steam

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Heated grains of coated sand turn water to steam without having to boil the whole pot. David Biello reports

What to Expect from Climate Negotiations

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 00:00:08 -0000

As the world gathers in Doha, is progress being made in reducing greenhouse gas pollution? David Biello reports

Advanced Biofuels Hope to Change the Climate for Transportation

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Fuel from algae is being sold in California, a first step toward a future of advanced biofuels. David Biello reports

Global Warming Means Culture Change

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:01:08 -0000

Climate isn't the only thing global warming will change. David Biello reports

Who Were the Greenest Presidents?

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:54:08 -0000

A survey of environmental groups finds that Teddy Roosevelt was the president with the highest environmental cred, followed by Richard Nixon. David Biello reports

What Does It Take to Make a "Frankenstorm"?

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 14:00:08 -0000

The U.S. east coast is enduring what's been dubbed a "Frankenstorm" for its combination of multiple different types of weather systems. David Biello reports

Human Thirst Makes Earth Quake

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 13:01:08 -0000

Man-made earthquakes are a real and growing phenomenon. David Biello reports

Can the City That Never Sleeps Forgo Nuclear Power?

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 03:00:08 -0000

The bright lights of the big city currently rely on fission, but a new study suggests efficiency and renewables could do the job instead. David Biello reports

How the Great Barrier Reef Is Disappearing Right before Our Eyes

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 10:00:08 -0000

A new analysis reveals that coral cover on the world's largest biological construct has declined by more than 50 percent since 1985. David Biello reports

Candidates Mum on Climate Change

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 14:00:08 -0000

How can we break the ice and get a political conversation started about climate change, David Biello asks

Prime Time Fox News and WSJ Editorial Climate Coverage Mostly Wrong

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:17:08 -0000

An analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientsts finds that 93 percent of climate info on Fox News prime time and 81 percent on The Wall Street Journal opinion pages is misleading. Steve Mirsky reports

Bird Seed Poisons Wild Birds

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 12:00:08 -0000

To improve shelf life, Scotts Miracle-Gro used a pesticide toxic to birds in its bird seed. David Biello reports

How Humans and Tigers Can Coexist

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 09:00:08 -0000

One way to help save tigers would be to cede the night to them. David Biello reports

How Much Life Is There on Earth?

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 11:00:08 -0000

New estimates decrease the likely number of microbes beneath the sea, but the truth is that we still don't really know. David Biello reports

Energy Hits the U.S. Presidential Campaign Trail

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 10:00:08 -0000

Romney wants "energy independence," Obama prefers an "all of the above" approach. What's the difference? David Biello reports

Fukushima Radiation Damages Butterflies, but Not People--Yet

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Scientific analyses are beginning to unravel the biological consequences of the radioactive particles released during the Fukushima meltdowns. David Biello reports

Drilling for Offshore Oil Comes to the Arctic

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 09:00:08 -0000

As Shell prepares to drill for oil in the Chukchi Sea, what are the risks? David Biello reports

UV Gives Fish Skin Cancer

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 20:06:08 -0000

Fifteen percent of a sample of 136 trout caught near the Great Barrier Reef showed evidence of melanoma, with UV exposure the likely culprit. Christopher Intagliata reports

Greener Olympics Mean Cleaner Air

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 09:16:08 -0000

A new analysis shows how the summer Olympics helped clear the air in Beijing--and combat climate change. David Biello reports

Marijuana Farms Poison Wildlife

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Pathologists have found the first evidence of wildlife poisoned by a cash crop--and not in a traditional agricultural area. David Biello reports

Could Geoengineering Stop Heat Waves?

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Scientists explore whether artificial volcanoes might beat the heat. David Biello reports

35 Years of Renewable Energy

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 10:00:08 -0000

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has been working for 35 years to make solar power and other technologies a reality. David Biello reports

Are Western Forests Doomed to Burn Away?

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 10:00:08 -0000

Climate change may not only unleash fiercer wildfires but also ultimately replace Western forestland with grasslands. David Biello reports

Warming Oceans Will Follow Laws of Physics

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Warmer waters mean higher sea levels, but how high? David Biello reports

For Sustainability, Go Beyond Gross Domestic Product

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 10:31:08 -0000

The widely used economic measure grossly distorts the environmental and social costs of some growth, David Biello reports

Are We Pushing the Planet to the Brink of Irreversible Environmental Change?

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 01:41:08 -0000

The human transformation of the planet is now bigger than the end of the last ice age. What does that mean for the planet? David Biello asks

How Climate Change May Impact Electricity Supplies

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 00:00:08 -0000

Fossil-fuel burning power plants aren't only causing climate change, they're likely to suffer from such global warming. David Biello reports

Another Casualty of War?: The Environment

Sun, 27 May 2012 09:00:08 -0000

From lingering pollution to feeding soldiers on bushmeat, war can be tough on the environment. David Biello reports

Why Tariffs on Chinese Photovoltaics Are Bad for the Planet

Sun, 20 May 2012 09:00:08 -0000

The U.S. has placed tariffs on Chinese solar panels in a bid to protect American solar companies. David Biello reports

Wasted Food No More

Sun, 13 May 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Massachusetts may ban big institutions from discarding food in the trash in a bid to cut down on the methane from landfills. David Biello reports

How to Adapt to Climate Change

Sun, 06 May 2012 10:00:08 -0000

As the globe warms, communities across the world are providing examples of how to adapt. David Biello reports

L.A. Needs to Stop Being Such a Cow Town

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:00:08 -0000

New research suggests that the waste from dairy farms may be a bigger source of smog in Los Angeles than the region's millions of cars. David Biello reports

Happy Earth Day! Welcome to the Anthropocene

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Scientists are suggesting that the present day is part of a new era in the planet's history. David Biello reports

Take Me Out to the Renewably Powered Ballgame

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Baseball teams across the country are investing in renewable power for their stadiums. David Biello reports

It's Not Dead, It's Resting

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:00:08 -0000

There are a wide variety of life forms that can come back to life. David Biello reports

135 Years of Records Reveals Deep Ocean Warming

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 17:02:08 -0000

The ocean surface is warming. Using records going back more than a century to the British Challenger expedition, researchers calculate that the deep ocean is experiencing its own temperature rise. David Biello reports

How Industrial Noise Helps and Hurts Plants

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 10:00:08 -0000

By encouraging and discouraging certain animals, human noise has an effect on vegetation. David Biello reports

Global Energy Hunger Leaves Little Room to Displace Dirty Fuels

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:01:08 -0000

One of the promises of renewable energy is its ability to displace polluting fossil fuels, but is it fulfilling that pledge? David Biello reports

Fukushima: We Listen Back

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:00:08 -0000

Newly released audio takes us through the first week of the nuclear meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi on this first anniversary of the crisis. David Biello reports

How Raindrops Calm the Wind

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 09:00:08 -0000

New research suggests the drag on falling precipitation helps slow atmospheric circulation. David Biello reports

Is the Keystone Pipeline a Shortcut to Catastrophic Climate Change?

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:00:08 -0000

The Keystone XL pipeline wouldn't be a major environmental calamity, but oil addiction is. David Biello reports

What Does a Coup in the Maldives Mean for Climate Change?

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:00:08 -0000

The fate of an island chain's president may mean more--or even less--progress to combat climate change. David Biello reports

How to Make Electricity Using Plants and Sunshine

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:00:08 -0000

A new system combines the power of plants and photovoltaics to make solar power cheap and durable. David Biello reports

How Much Energy Do You Waste Charging Your Cell Phone?

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Battery chargers are everywhere these days, wasting electricity. California aims to change that. David Biello reports

Gee Whiz, Why Not Recycle Urine for Drinking Water?

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:32:08 -0000

The U.S. can no longer afford to ignore sewage as a source of drinking water, scientists argue. David Biello reports

Michael Mann Defends Climate Computer Models

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:27:08 -0000

Penn State climate modeler Michael Mann talks about what computer models can tell us--and what they don't need to. David Biello reports

Welcome to the Year of the Lightbulb

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:00:08 -0000

Get ready to buy lightbulbs by lumens rather than watts. David Biello reports

What Are the Chances of a White Christmas?

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Climate change is also messing with cherished holiday dreams. David Biello reports

Durban Deal May Bring Climate Change Action into 21st Century

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:16:08 -0000

As time ran out on the latest international climate change negotiations, an agreement was reached that includes all significant countries in the effort to reduce greenhouse gases. David Biello reports

Simmering Planet Keeps Heating

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:00:08 -0000

Despite decades of warnings, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, warming the world. Can such pollution peak this decade? David Biello asks

Give Thanks for Methods to Cut Back on Wasted Food

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:00:08 -0000

The world wastes more food than all of sub-Saharan Africa produces. Can that be stopped? David Biello reports

Oceans Teem with Tiny Plastic Particles

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Washing machine wastewater carries tiny pieces of plastic to the oceans, where they wind up in sea life. David Biello reports

Flying on a Wing and Oil from Plants

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:00:08 -0000

A new era in aviation dawned this week in the U.S. with the first flights powered by biofuels. David Biello reports

Halloween Chocolate: More Trick Than Treat?

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Chocolate has a dark side--child slave labor. David Biello reports

Why Is the CIA Keeping Climate Change Secret?

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:00:08 -0000

The Central Intelligence Agency is working on climate change, but you'd never know it. David Biello reports

How Steve Jobs Tried to Make Apple Green

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:00:08 -0000

The environmental and social impacts of all our gadgets are not insignificant. David Biello reports

World's Largest River Restoration Project Begins

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:00:08 -0000

The removal of two dams on the Elwha River will help restore once-abundant salmon runs. David Biello reports

Fukushima Fallout in Japan

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 09:00:08 -0000

The melted down reactors are stabilizing, but the real work of repair has yet to begin. David Biello reports

Can the World Handle Chinese Cars?

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 09:00:08 -0000

The first car mostly made in China has arrived for sale in the U.S. David Biello reports

Need a Break? Try Nature

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:00:08 -0000

A growing body of research suggests nature walks may be more restorative than traditional stimulants like caffeine. David Biello reports

Need Rain? Try Lasers

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 09:00:08 -0000

New experiments show that firing lasers into the air might help induce or reduce rain. David Biello reports

How Much Life Does Earth Host?

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 09:00:08 -0000

The number of species currently alive is a best guess at best. David Biello reports

Why Environmentalism Is Conservative

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Have conservatives abandoned their roots as environmental leaders? David Biello investigates

Bringing Birds Back to Regrowing Forests

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Once fragmented forests are growing back together, do tropical birds follow? David Biello reports

What If the Smart Grid Isn't So Smart?

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 09:00:08 -0000

New analyses show that equipping consumers with real-time information about electricity prices could crash the grid. David Biello reports

Eating the Lionfish

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:00:00 -0000

The answer to an invasive fish species in the Atlantic and Caribbean may just be overfishing. David Biello reports

Feeding the Grid with Sunshine at College

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:00:08 -0000

Butte College in California hosts a massive solar array, which allows it to produce more electricity than it uses. David Biello reports

Absence of Top Predators Brings Unanticipated Changes

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:00:08 -0000

Ecologists document the negative ripple effects of removing top predators from ecosystems. David Biello reports

Electric Cars May Need Noisemakers

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:31:08 -0000

Whisper-quiet electric and hybrid cars may need an artificial sound boost to let pedestrians know they're there. David Biello reports

The Buzz on Beer and Soda Fizz

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:35:08 -0000

A look at the environmental burden of our favorite summer beverages. David Biello reports

Pacific Plankton Crosses to Atlantic, Thanks to Arctic Meltdown

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Warmer temperatures in the North are allowing species to shift from ocean to ocean. David Biello reports

Sunspot-Related Cooling Can't Offset Greenhouse Warming

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 04:00:08 -0000

Changes to the sunspot cycle will have an impact on our weather and climate--but not a very big one. David Biello reports

Pavement Contributes to Poor Air Quality

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:28:08 -0000

Paved roads and sprawl are likely to blame for summertime smog buildup. David Biello reports

Are Biodegradeable Plastics Doing More Harm Than Good?

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 09:01:08 -0000

Depends on whether one worries about climate change or persistent plastics in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. David Biello reports

Whither the Honey Bee?

Sun, 29 May 2011 09:01:08 -0000

For the fourth consecutive year, roughly one third of managed honey bees died last winter. David Biello reports

America's Climate Choices Are Narrowing

Sun, 15 May 2011 09:00:08 -0000

With every year of inaction the risks posed by climate change grow, according to a new report requested by Congress. David Biello reports

Whales Return to NYC Harbor

Sun, 08 May 2011 10:00:00 -0000

A variety of species of whales have been rediscovered in the vicinity of New York City. Is it because they love musicals? David Biello investigates

Solar Power Boosts Home Sales?

Sun, 01 May 2011 09:00:08 -0000

A new study finds that photovoltaic systems provide a premium for houses. David Biello reports

Can Taxes Be Green?

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Could taxing environmental ills prove more of a solution to pollution than dilution? David Biello investigates

How Doth Your Native Flora Grow?

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 09:00:08 -0000

The diversity of local plants goes down when a city springs up. David Biello reports

Will Today's Trash Be Tomorrow's Island?

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Ancient trash heaps became modern tree islands in the Everglades. David Biello reports

The Origin of Life

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:00:08 -0000

A new analysis suggests lightning and volcanoes helped make life possible. David Biello reports

Chernobyl Opens for Tourism

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Next month marks Chernobyl's 25th anniversary, and the site is now accepting tourists. Christie Nicholson reports

Oil Spills Mean Air Pollution, Too

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 09:00:08 -0000

BP's massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico didn't just foul the ocean, it also tainted the air. David Biello reports

Predicting the Future of Oil

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 09:01:08 -0000

And what does that mean for the U.S. economy and environment? David Biello reports

Global Rise of the Fire Ant? Blame U.S. Trade

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:00:08 -0000

A new study shows that the invasive species has spread not from its original home in South America but from its beachhead in the southeastern U.S., David Biello reports

Permafrost Meltdown May Herald Climate Catastrophe

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 10:00:08 -0000

The thawing of a thin layer of frozen Arctic soils will exacerbate global warming. David Biello reports

Does Drilling for Electricity Make Sense?

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:20:08 -0000

Harnessing Earth's heat to make electricity is an underrated renewable resource. David Biello reports

Teaching Bankers about Climate Change

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 09:00:08 -0000

Why is HSBC teaching its employees about global warming? David Biello reports

Another Reason to Hate Shopping Sound Tracks

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:00:08 -0000

The background music in stores and shopping malls designed to spur sales also spur emissions of greenhouse gases. David Biello reports

Is Coal Fly Ash Responsible for Mass Extinction?

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 13:01:08 -0000

Forget CO2, the toxic aftermath of coal burning might be responsible for the worst mass extinction event the world has ever known. David Biello reports

Strike Off the Band, Says Penguin Study

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 10:00:08 -0000

Banding penguins to track them is bad for their health, a new study reports. David Biello investigates

No Such Thing as a Free Parking Spot

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 09:00:08 -0000

It's not just driving our cars that harms the environment, parking them also poses a problem. David Biello reports

Drink 'til You're Green

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 09:00:08 -0000

What's worse than a hangover? The environmental impact of your drinking and mine. David Biello reports

The Earth in 2010

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 09:00:08 -0000

What were the biggest environmental stories in 2010? David Biello reports

A Holiday for Consumption?

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 10:00:08 -0000

The (environmental) meaning of Christmas. David Biello reports

Energy Choices Predict Future Climate

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:00:08 -0000

Physics Nobel laureate and U.S. energy secretary, Steven Chu, offers his thoughts on the paired challenge of climate change and clean energy in Cancun. David Biello reports

Yes, We Cancun on Climate Change?

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 09:00:08 -0000

After Copenhagen, the world reconvenes to try to combat climate change. David Biello reports

Is Climate Change Too Scary?

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Doom and gloom doesn't motivate action on environmental problems, but is there hope for behavior change? David Biello reports

Will Economic Health Align with Environmental Health?

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:01:08 -0000

What impact did the Great Recession have on climate change? David Biello reports

Scientists Decide on Top 5 Issues for Sustainability

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:00:08 -0000

The International Council for Science has narrowed down five top challenges the world needs to meet in order to sustain our planet. Christie Nicholson reports

Oil from the BP Disaster May Remain Thick on the Seafloor

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 11:00:08 -0000

Soil samples taken from a 50-mile radius around the Macondo well reveal striped layers of thick goo, possibly containing oil. Christie Nicholson reports

A Citizen Scientist Changes Our Understanding of Whales

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 00:00:08 -0000

A woman from Hancock, Maine, discovered that a tourist snapshot of a humpback whale on Flickr matched with photos documented in the Allied Whale research catalogue, providing proof that this whale had traveled 6,000 miles, the longest documented distance of any humpback. Christie Nicholson reports

A Ban on Biodiversity?

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Despite being the voice of the world's flora and fauna, will the delegates at the 10th meeting of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity actually bring real change? David Biello reports

The Little Energy Program That Could?

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 10:00:08 -0000

The innovative research and development program known as ARPA-e is in imminent danger of losing funding--and putting the U.S. even further behind in its bid for a clean-energy economy. David Biello reports

The Sound of the Automobile's Future?

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 10:00:08 -0000

Automobiles go back to the future and become electric, but are they too quiet? David Biello reports

Wasted Food Equals Wasted Energy

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Wasting food isn't just bad in its own right, it also represents a profound waste of energy. David Biello reports

Tapping the Power in Hot Rocks

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 11:00:08 -0000

So-called geothermal power has been around for more than a century. What will it take to heat up this energy source? David Biello reports

Life Is Tough, Especially for Microbes

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 11:00:08 -0000

A newly discovered extremophile can subsist on a modicum of energy. David Biello reports

Corals Face Catastrophic Bleaching

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 09:00:08 -0000

This year could be a very bad year for coral reefs, thanks to warm waters as a result of El Nino and climate change. David Biello reports

Carbon Dioxide from Cars, Part 2

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:00:08 -0000

Transportation is the fastest-growing source of emissions of carbon dioxide. The U.S. aims to change that with stickers. David Biello reports

The Price of Traffic in China

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:00:08 -0000

It's not just the inconveniences of traffic jams that may last for months outside of Beijing, it's also the global climate. David Biello reports

How Will Climate Change Impact Bread?, Part 2

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:30:08 -0000

Warming temperatures will exacerbate crop-destructive events, ranging from fires to floods. David Biello reports

Keeping Oil Underground in Ecuador

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 09:00:08 -0000

The United Nations partners with Ecuador in a bid to pay for the privilege of keeping oil underground and a tropical forest undisturbed. David Biello reports

Can Charcoal Slow Climate Change and Improve Agriculture?

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Adding biochar to soil might be a good way to cut pollution from agriculture while improving fertility. David Biello reports

Global Warming Is Undeniable

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Yet more scientific research highlights ongoing climate change--as the U.S. enjoys the hottest July on record. David Biello reports

China Surpasses U.S. in Energy Use?

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:00:08 -0000

China is now the world's number-one user of energy--unless you ask the Chinese. David Biello reports

Sea Level Rise Swamps Islands

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:00:00 -0000

The seas are already overlapping islands and coasts from Panama to India. David Biello reports

Floating Wind Turbines Promise Clean Power

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Ocean-based wind turbines don't need to be firmly anchored to the seafloor, according to a new study. David Biello reports, with narration by Christie Nicholson

Gulf Coast Dead Zone Set to Grow

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Scientists predict a bigger than average dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico this year. David Biello reports (with narration by Christie Nicholson)

Are Modern Cities for People or Cars?

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 09:00:08 -0000

The cities of the future might be greener, cleaner and more vibrant if people are put before automobiles. David Biello reports

Will the Oil Spill Kill Sperm Whales?

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:00:08 -0000

A group of endangered sperm whales live in the vicinity of the oil spill--and now one of them has turned up dead. David Biello reports

The Full Price of Oil

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 09:00:08 -0000

The ongoing oil spill is just one cost of our ongoing addiction to fossil fuel. David Biello reports

Sex Lives of Crickets Revealed

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:53:08 -0000

Infrared cameras have enabled scientists to determine what makes for a successful cricket sex life. David Biello reports

How to Re-Create an Ecosystem

Sun, 30 May 2010 09:00:08 -0000

What lives in a given ecosystem depends on history. David Biello reports

Save the Whales--by Hunting Them?

Sun, 23 May 2010 09:00:08 -0000

A new proposal would limit whaling, by permitting small amounts of it. David Biello reports

Lizards Feel the Heat from Climate Change

Sun, 16 May 2010 15:00:08 -0000

Extinction already stalks lizards, thanks to global warming. David Biello reports

How Bad Is the Oil Spill?

Wed, 12 May 2010 16:00:08 -0000

As bad as it is, BP's Gulf oil spill dwindles compared with gushers of the past. David Biello reports

Cracking the Genetic Code of a Frog

Sun, 02 May 2010 09:00:08 -0000

What does the genome of an amphibian tell us about ourselves? David Biello reports

What's the Most Recycled Product in the U.S.?

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:00:08 -0000

It's not paper, plastic or even aluminum. David Biello reports

Keeping Coal Mines from Exploding

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Preventing explosions in coal mines isn't rocket science. David Biello reports

How Will Climate Change Impact Bread?

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Warming temperatures have already impacted wheat yields--in the U.S. David Biello reports

Bye-Bye Bluefin Tuna

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:00:08 -0000

By failing to curb trade in the endangered ocean giant, the international community may have doomed it to extinction. David Biello reports

Does Solar Power Need a Revolution?

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Some argue that major technical breakthroughs are needed to make electricity from sunshine cheap. Are they right? David Biello reports

Who Is to Blame for Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:00:08 -0000

Global trade, outsourcing and climate change prove how interconnected economic and environmental problems are. David Biello reports

Seeking Transformational Energy Technologies

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:01:08 -0000

Does the U.S. need an advanced research projects agency for energy? David Biello reports

Fracking to Free Natural Gas?

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:00:08 -0000

A new technique to shatter shale and get the gas within offers promise--and peril. David Biello reports

The Complex Physics of Clouds

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:08 -0000

How well do scientists understand clouds?

What Does Winter Weather Reveal about Global Warming?

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:30:08 -0000

No single weather event proves or disproves the fundamental science of climate change, but extreme weather is what scientists expect from global warming. David Biello reports

Wolverine No Match for Climate Change

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:08 -0000

The doughty predator is dwindling, thanks seemingly to less snow as a result of global warming. David Biello reports

Have Wallet Cards Helped Fish?

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:00:00 -0000

Or simply hurt trees and consumer's brains? David Biello reports

How Fast Are Himalayan Glaciers Melting?

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:00:08 -0000

The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change goofs in predicting total meltdown by 2035. But the roof of the world is still losing its icy coat. David Biello reports

Tracking Arctic Wolves in Months-Long Night

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:01:08 -0000

Satellite collars are letting scientists track these mysterious denizens of the far north during the long winter night. David Biello reports

In the 12 Months of 2009

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:56:08 -0000

David Biello offers a semimusical look back at the year just had by the Earth and its people

Copenhagen's Carbon Debt

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:04:08 -0000

How many greenhouse gas emissions does negotiating a climate change treaty take? David Biello reports

Copenhagen: Look to the Sea?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:00:08 -0000

The oceans may be largely overlooked at the climate conference in Copenhagen, but they will bear the brunt of climate change. David Biello reports

Can Energy Labels Be Trusted?

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:08 -0000

Just how good is the Energy Star label? David Biello reports

The Jellyfish Menace

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:00:08 -0000

Are humans making the oceans fit only for jellyfish? David Biello reports

Are Algae Mass Murderers?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:30:08 -0000

A new theory suggests that algae might be to blame for the Earth's greatest mass extinctions. David Biello reports

Capturing Carbon Dioxide

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:08 -0000

Is carbon capture and storage a climate boon or boondoggle?

Can the World's Most Polluted Places Ever Be Cleaned?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:08 -0000

From phasing out leaded gasoline to minimizing mercury poisoning, the answer appears to be yes. Christie Nicholson reports, with research, reporting and writing by David Biello

How City Noise Is Reshaping Birdsong

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:00:08 -0000

Urban bird dwellers change their song over time to help the them be heard over the big city noises. David Biello reports

Sunny Germans Triumph in U.S. Solar Decathlon

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:00:08 -0000

The European country--not known for its abundant sunshine--has become the world leader in solar know-how. David Biello reports

Solar Decathlon Promotes Sunnier Future

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:00:08 -0000

Students vie to be named top decathlete, but the real winners could be homeowners. David Biello reports

Earthquakes Exert Global Influence

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:00:08 -0000

An earthquake in Indonesia can mean future tremors in California. David Biello reports

Linked Challenges: Climate Change and Energy Use

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:22:08 -0000

Are national governments prepared to offer more than hot air on climate change in Copenhagen this December? David Biello reports

How to Stop the Ongoing Loss of Species

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:04:08 -0000

Can the world tackle poverty and the biodiversity crisis at the same time? It'd better, David Biello reports

Climate Forecasts for All

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0000

International agencies are coming together to provide climate forecasting to countries without it, particularly because they may be hardest hit. David Biello reports

World's Craziest Geoengineering Scheme

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:00:08 -0000

From mimicking a volcanic eruption to mirrors in space, some geoengineering schemes are pretty far out there. David Biello reports.

Laughing Gas No Laughing Matter in Atmosphere

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:00:08 -0000

Nitrous oxide is damaging the ozone layer and the climate. David Biello reports.

Plastic Not Fantastic... in the Ocean

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:00:08 -0000

New research shows that some plastics may be leaching toxic chemicals into seawater. David Biello reports

Does Banning Plastic Bags Work?

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:00:08 -0000

One year later, plastic bag use is down--but by no means gone--in China. David Biello reports.

Are Babies Bad for the Environment?

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:08 -0000

The best thing you can do for the planet might be having fewer children, a new study argues. David Biello reports

Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Shrinks

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:00:08 -0000

The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium reports that the dead zone in the Gulf is much smaller this year than expected. Christie Nicholson reports

The Future of Farming

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:08 -0000

Intensive farming not only degrades our soils, but it also contributes to climate change. David Biello reports

El Nino Has Arrived

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:00:08 -0000

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration officially announced that we will experience the El Nino phenomenon this year through to 2010. Christie Nicholson reports

The Wonderful World of Transgenic Animals

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:08 -0000

From spider silk in goat's milk to tomato genes in salmon, genetically modified animals are proliferating--in the lab. David Biello reports

Can America's Trains Go High-Speed?

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:08 -0000

The government is pushing for it, but are high speed trains even possible in the U.S.? David Biello reports

Getting to the Core of Twisters

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:00:08 -0000

In VORTEX2, the largest scientific study of tornadoes, scientists are trying to understand just what causes a twister to form. It's more complicated than you might think. Christie Nicholson reports

The Dirt on Biofuels

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000

Are biofuels going to play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions? David Biello reports.

Germany's Solar Head Start

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:05:08 -0000

Jeff Wolfe, the CEO of groSolar, a leading U.S. solar energy distribution and installation company, explains why Germany is developing solar energy at a faster pace than the U.S. Steve Mirsky reports

Is Organic Really Better?

Thu, 28 May 2009 14:00:08 -0000

Is organic better for you and the environment? David Biello reports

Solar Forecasts and Climate Change

Fri, 22 May 2009 15:00:08 -0000

What is the link between solar activity and global warming? David Biello reports

Tuning Up Car Engines

Thu, 14 May 2009 18:00:08 -0000

There is a host of existing technologies that could radically improve the internal combustion engines that power our cars. David Biello reports

Cash for Clunkers

Fri, 08 May 2009 07:00:08 -0000

Is the government's new plan to pay people to trade in old, inefficient cars and trucks an environmental bane or boon? David Biello reports

Can Swine Flu Be Blamed on Industrial Farming?

Fri, 01 May 2009 17:00:08 -0000

Some have linked the new strain of H1N1 to an industrial hog farm in Mexico, David Biello reports

Can Trees Save Us from Climate Change?

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:00:08 -0000

Trees and other plants suck up carbon dioxide, so we might think planting forests will halt global warming. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. David Biello reports

Can Genetically Modified Crops Feed the World?

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:00:08 -0000

Genetic modification has been touted as a solution to hunger, but does it really boost yields? David Biello reports

Can Zoos Survive the Economic Crisis?

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:00:08 -0000

What happens to the animals when the economy collapses?

The Curious Case of Bees

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Honeybees: A European import vital to food production--or are they? David Biello reports

Turning Coal to Liquid Fuel

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:00:08 -0000

The U.S.--and the world--has an abundant supply of coal. So does it make sense to turn it into a replacement for oil? David Biello reports

Land under Water

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:00:08 -0000

Sea level rise looks likely to come faster--and be worse--than even scientists anticipated. David Biello reports

Electric Cars and Peak Lithium

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:00:00 -0000

What are the environmental challenges of electric cars? David Biello reports

Carbon Offsets: Fact or Fiction?

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:00:08 -0000

Everyone from motorists to television producers are buying offsets to save the climate. But do they work? David Biello reports

The Great Garbage Patch

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:00:08 -0000

Much of our plastic ends up floating in the North Pacific

A "Green" New Deal

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:00:08 -0000

Is environmental improvement the key to economic recovery?

Waste Not, Want Not: Energy via the Smart Grid

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:08 -0000

Simply using instead of losing energy, the U.S.--and the world--could power its way out of crisis. David Biello reports

Why Ecosystem Services Matter

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:00:08 -0000

You may never have heard of ecosystem services, but you'd be hard-pressed to live without them. David Biello reports

Forget Nuclear Fission, How about Fusion?

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:00:08 -0000

Imitating the sun remains an elusive goal for energy researchers. David Biello reports

Coldest Continent Warming, Too

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:00:08 -0000

Despite cooling in some regions, overall Antarctic temperatures are increasing. David Biello reports

To Dump (in the Lake) or Not to Dump

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:00:08 -0000

That is the question facing the U.S. Supreme Court in a case on the waste from mining. David Biello reports

Carbon Dioxide from Cars

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:00:08 -0000

U.S. states are beginning to attack another major source of global warming pollution besides power plants: your car. David Biello reports

The Future of Lighting Is Already on Your Christmas Tree

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Light-emitting diodes are beginning to replace the old-fashioned light bulb as well as newer compact fluorescent models. David Biello reports.

A Holiday for Oil

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:30:08 -0000

Are we running out of oil?

Santa in Danger: Polar Meltdown

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:00:08 -0000

The ice is melting across the Arctic—and Antarctica is starting to thaw, too. David Biello reports

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas (Tree)

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:00:00 -0000

When deciding on real or fake trees for the holiday season, think through the green pros and cons. David Biello reports

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:00:08 -0000

What's the best way to get home for the holidays?

Wine Made from Tiger Bones

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:00:08 -0000

Traditional Chinese medicine could eliminate the big striped cats. David Biello reports

Is a Global Recession Good for the Environment?

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:00:08 -0000

Seems like when the economy's bad, the environment improves, but history shows otherwise

Obama and (Climate) Change

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:00:08 -0000

What is in store for environmental policy in the new Obama administration?

Chocolate: Treat or Trick?

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:30:08 -0000

There is an environmental price for our love of chocolate on Halloween, but it may not be what you think

Is BPA Bad for You?

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0000

Bisphenol A, a common compound found in many plastics, has been listed as a toxic substance in Canada but is still deemed safe in the U.S.

How Toxic Is Your iPod?

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:30:08 -0000

What is the environmental impact of the Apple products you throw away?

Maul of the Wild: Sixth Extinction Wipes out Animals Worldwide

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:08 -0000

Extinction juggernaut races across the globe

Environmental Issues Divide Presidential Contenders

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:00:08 -0000

Where do the candidates stand on the environment and energy? David Biello reports