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.

China’s Plan for Global Warming: Wait for the US

With the G-8 summit addressing climate change, all nations expect both the US and China to play a pivotal role
Michael Richardson
June 5, 2007

US Pet Deaths: Wake-Up Call on Global Food Safety?

Without controls on agrochemicals, protectionist calls to limit crop imports provide a false sense of security
Susan Froetschel
April 24, 2007

Will Travel, Wreak Havoc: How Invasive Species Affect Ecological Diversity

Tourism and trade bring unwanted biological species threatening other countries’ ecosystems
Michael Richardson
January 14, 2003

American Congress Can Affect Global Warming

The earth's climate should not become an accidental casualty of the American electoral process
James Gustave Speth
December 27, 2002

Global Climate Change: Taking the Battle to the Campus

Governments may dawdle, but universities and other institutions can take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Richard Levin
February 26, 2007

Who Should Foot the Bill on Climate Change?

Debate heats up over whether developing or developed nations should bear the costs
Scott Barrett
March 2, 2007