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.

World Food Stocks Dwindling Rapidly, UN Warns

With food prices at an all-time high, the UN steps in to help poor nations grow local crops
Elisabeth Rosenthal
January 10, 2008

Stern Report Attacked for “Advocacy”

Economists debate the future costs of climate change
Adam Morton
January 26, 2008

The Stay-At-Home Vacation

Does seeing the world really help save the world?
Hannah Karp
January 28, 2008

Report by the E.P.A. Leaves Out Data on Climate Change

Inattention to global warming sparks a heated debate.
Andrew C. Revkin
June 19, 2003

A Hawkeyed Addition to Canada's Arctic Arsenal

Canadian satellite to monitor the effects of climate change – and trespassers – in the polar regions
Paul Taylor
December 11, 2007