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 Is the De Facto Leader of Globalization

Xi Jinping is ready to lead policies on shaping globalization and fighting climate change
Nathan Gardels
January 13, 2017

Ignoring Climate Change Just Got More Expensive

The world is not doing enough to prepare
Eric Roston
December 28, 2016

Korea Unveils Road Map to Curb Carbon Emissions

South Korea plans to double investment in clean energy research before 2030
Shin Hyon-hee
December 6, 2016

How Important Is NASA's Earth Science Program That Trump Wants to Abolish?

Satellite data support infrastructure planning, agriculture and other industries
Brenda Ekwurzel
December 5, 2016

US Fossil Fuel Projects Around the World

The US Export-Import Bank spent more than $30 billion on fossil-fuel projects since 2008
Sonali Prasad, Jason Burke, Michael Slezak and Oliver Milman
December 2, 2016