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.

Bees Vanish, and Scientists Race for Reasons

Theories abound about the disappearance of lead crop pollinators
Alexei Barrioneuvo
April 25, 2007

If They're Alive, You'll Read About Them Here

The earth has many species – and an internet project intends to introduce all of them to humans
Jeremy Manier
May 11, 2007

Deforestation: The Hidden Cause of Global Warming

Protecting trees, especially those in the rainforest, is one of the easiest ways to combat global warming
Daniel Howden
May 15, 2007

Fury at Zimbabwe UN Role

By selecting a leader from a nation in crisis, developing nations may damage the credibility of a major environmental commission and the UN itself
Tracy McVeigh
May 16, 2007

When Development and Tradition Clash

Most Indians rely on farming – and question the need for haste in developing land for industrial purposes
Joan Martínez-Alier
May 11, 2007