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.

UN Warns on Development Goals

The United Nations warns that sustainable development goals are not being met.
Carola Hoyos
October 1, 2002

Japan's Nuclear Accident Should Prompt Review

Lebanon newspaper urges Iran to take caution with developing nuclear energy in earthquake zones
July 21, 2007

Immigration, Populations, Climate Change, Ideologies

Aiming for a sustainable population level could resolve the world’s most pressing conflicts
J. Russell Tyldesley
July 6, 2007

China Overtakes US as World's Biggest CO2 Emitter

In the global fight against climate change, China now sits in the hot seat
John Vidal
June 22, 2007

Creating “Escape Routes” for Wildlife

As the earth warms, conservationists plan for biological corridors that will allow species to relocate and adapt
Moises Velasquez-Manoff
July 4, 2007