In The News

Coral Reefs Twice Size of Manila Destroyed

Philip C. Tubeza May 26, 2011
Black-coral colonies are thousands of small animals that grow slowly over centuries, in subtropical and tropical waters, at a rate of about one centimeter per month. The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora bans the harvesting of Antipatharia, which has 245 species in seven families. But coral taxonomy is lacking in detail. Confusion emerges with...

After the Fukushima Disaster

Richard Weitz May 26, 2011
The world has more than 400 nuclear reactors in 29 nations, with 64 more under construction. Disaster rather than industry growth exposes the need for industry review and regulation updates, suggests a YaleGlobal series. The accident at the Fukushima power plant in Japan revealed that global emergency-response and safety standards currently in place may be inadequate for aging reactors,...

A Link Between Climate Change and Joplin Tornadoes? Never!

Bill McKibben May 25, 2011
The US government and media are like children who have joined a strange cult, and environmentalists take on the role of frustrated parents trying to show connections between behavior and consequences. Many in the US stubbornly resist connecting extreme weather events with climate change. News anchors, reporters, government weather officials studiously avoid mentioning climate change, carbon...

The Morning After Fukushima

Nina Netzer May 24, 2011
Repercussions of nuclear accidents are not easily contained within borders, as demonstrated after an earthquake-tsunami damaged reactors at the Fukushima power plant. Explosions spewed radioactivity into the air, and Japan soon dumped more than 11,000 metric tons of radioactive-tainted water into the sea. A YaleGlobal series analyzes the pressing need for international energy planning, policy and...

Carbon Confusion

Emilie Filou May 18, 2011
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism, African nations and businesses anticipate global attitudes to swing against carbon emissions. Since Africa produces about 4 percent of annual global CO2 emissions, its mitigation potential is therefore negligible, reports Emilie Filou for This is Africa Online. Yet South Africa, the globe’s 13th largest emitter...

Today's Weather Affects Attitudes on Global Warming

Jeanna Bryner April 14, 2011
By far, most climate scientists point to evidence that human activity contributes to volatile weather, severe storms and droughts, melting polar ice and climate change. But it’s human nature to ignore long-term evidence and instead rely on day-to-day observations. Individuals check a weather forecast – if it’s chilly or snowing outside, that’s enough to reduce evidence of global warming for them...

Study: Some Natural Gas Threatens Climate More Than Coal

Tennille Tracy April 13, 2011
Colorless, odorless natural gas is touted as a clean combustible with few emissions. But it’s composed of at least 70 percent methane. A Cornell University study suggests that extracting natural gas from shale with hydraulic fracturing can release methane. The greenhouse gas traps far more heat than carbon dioxide, also blamed for climate change. Tennille Tracy summarizes the study’s conclusion...