The Earth’s environment is the source of economic, social, cultural activities, with nature shaping human life over the centuries. The rapid growth in the world population, from 1 billion in 1830 to 7 billion today, add pressures for air quality, oceans, land use and resources as basic as water. Awareness is building about over-reliance on fossil fuels, how carbon and other emissions contribute to global warming and volatile weather. Every industry requires energy, and cross-border industrialization, transportation and other economic activities contribute to environmental degradation. Yet globalization also spurs awareness and activism over the need for global cooperation and standards to promote sustainability and environmental protection.

China’s Green Ambition, US Sees Red

A floundering US cedes green-energy business and its high-tech edge to Asia
Michael Richardson
January 5, 2011

Merkel Leads on Climate Change

Those who deny climate change will be history’s pariahs
Hakan Altinay
December 2, 2010

The World Is Adrift as Nations Skirmish

However powerful, nations can’t protect themselves without protecting the globe
Kishore Mahbubani
November 23, 2010

A Quick Fix for Climate Change?

The rancor hampering action on conserving and slowing global warming could stall geoengineering interventions
Michael Richardson
November 8, 2010

Changing Climate's Irreversible Devastation for the Seas

Even as warming seas trigger unprecedented species decline, policymakers avoid climate-change action
Alex David Rogers
October 29, 2010

Steps Out of the Global Development Crisis

The crisis isn’t over – not without global partnerships on unemployment and environmental sustainability
Jens Martens
September 20, 2010