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.

Can Cities Change Earth's Evolution?

Humans study choices, consequences, to control urbanization and how it controls us
Adam Frank
March 9, 2015

Climate Change Driving Brutal Winter?

Arctic melting could contribute to the jet stream’s wild and wavy behavior
Kirk Moore
February 25, 2015

Mission Impossible

Engineers scramble for solutions on Fukushima cleanup
February 13, 2015

Earth's Dashboard Is Flashing Red – Are Enough People Listening?

Half of the US public refuses to accept that people burning fossil fuels drive climate change
Dennis Dimick
February 4, 2015

Tiger and Wild Cat Trade From Myanmar to China Growing

Tiger population to 5% from century ago; tourists seek cat parts in China-Myanmar border town Mong La
Navin Singh Khadka
January 28, 2015