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.

Perverse Incentives

Some cap-and-trade schemes for emissions create profits for polluters
April 26, 2007

How to Prevent the Next Darfur

Violence throughout Africa provides an early warning on how climate change will decrease resources and instigate conflicts
Alex Perry
May 1, 2007

Can Global Warming Be Studied Too Much?

The Bush administration convenes a three day meeting to discuss the effects of global warming, but experts warn that delaying action any longer could be deadly.
Andrew C. Revkin
December 3, 2002

Freak Waves Swamp Mozambican Coastal Areas

High tides, described as highly unusual, displace thousands and threaten water supplies
March 22, 2007

Global Warming Can't Buy Happiness

The US discovers that more – big homes, lots of stuff – does not deliver happiness
Bill McKibben
March 23, 2007