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.

World Wildlife Federation: Fish Numbers on “Brink of Collapse”

Fish stocks have been reduced by half since 1970
Alister Doyle
September 17, 2015

“Loss and Damage”: Climate Change’s Latest Byword

Less developed nations seek compensation
Renee Juliene Karunungan
September 7, 2015

Obama on Climate Change: Act Now or Condemn World to a Nightmare

Rising seas, depleted water supplies, volatile weather add to refugees and conflict
Halimah Abdullah and M. Alex Johnson
September 2, 2015

World Without Water: The Dangerous Misuse of Our Most Valuable Resource

Corporations are keen to privatize water supplies, raise prices to reduce demand
Nicola Abé, Jens Glüsing, Felix Lill, Michaela Schiessl, Samiha Shafy and Helene Zuber
August 20, 2015

Clouds Over China’s Solar Power Industry

Low profits and stock market troubles threaten expansion
Kieran Cooke
August 19, 2015