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.

Greening U.S. Foreign Aid through the Millennium Challenge Account

Bush's Millennium Challenge Account is "blind to the role of the environment in alleviating poverty and improving lives," argues Nigel Purvis of the Brookings Institution.
Nigel Purvis
June 5, 2003

Woodman, Spare That High-Carbon Tree

Global policymakers must convince developers that live trees are worth more than dead ones
James Cameron
December 7, 2007

Bali Climate Change Conference: “We Have Very Little Time to Act”

Any successor to the Kyoto Protocol must convince the entire world to act seriously on climate change
Patrick McGroarty
December 3, 2007

How to Save Mother Earth Without Breaking the Bank

Swift, aggressive measures could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with little impact on the economy or lifestyles
Marc Gunther
December 4, 2007

Climate Chaos? Don't Believe It

Some conservatives fear global government more than global warming
Christopher Monckton
November 6, 2006