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.

A Radical Step to Preserve a Species: Assisted Migration

Global warming endangers thousands of species, and pushes scientists to consider radical rescue tactics
Carl Zimmer
February 14, 2007

Once a Dream Fuel, Palm Oil May Be an Eco-Nightmare

Unanticipated consequences spur search for sustainable alternatives
Elisabeth Rosenthal
February 5, 2007

China's Missile Message

Destruction of a satellite displays power – and possibly China's will to be an exception when it comes to global standards
Elizabeth Economy
January 26, 2007

Pew Survey Finds America’s Global Stature Diminished

The lone superpower is finding that power doesn't equal popularity.
December 4, 2002

A Nuclear Power Renaissance

Anxious about global warming and dwindling oil supplies, nations shrug about safety concerns and hurry to build reactors
Rüdiger Falksohn
January 16, 2007