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.

How Walmart Is Changing China

The company urges suppliers to go green for the bottom line
Orville Schell
November 23, 2011

Green Costs Go Global

Ahead of the Durban meet, firms are focusing on the environmental impact of the global supply chain
Nayan Chanda
November 22, 2011

UN Report Ties Climate Change to Extreme Weather

The forecast includes record-setting catastrophes
Marlowe Hood
November 4, 2011

How Space Technology Aids a Flood Response

Mixing data and maps provides new defense against flooding
November 4, 2011

Where Did Global Warming Go?

America has turned skeptic on the issue
Elisabeth Rosenthal
October 31, 2011