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.

Fishing for Compliments

A global network of marine reserves could save the fishing industry
December 23, 2007

Canada's Aid Seeded China Dam

Foreign corporations benefit from controversial projects in emerging economies
Ian Johnson
January 2, 2008

“The Biggest Environmental Crime in History”

Oil companies rush to target oil sands in wilderness areas
Cahal Milmo
January 1, 2008

The Price of Gold

Old laws do not always protect modern interests
Jane Danowitz
December 11, 2007

A Young Tinkerer Builds a Windmill, Electrifying a Nation

Equipped with a textbook and a dream, a young African sets out to build windmills
Sarah Childress
December 31, 2007