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.

Leaking Siberian Ice Raises a Tricky Climate Issue

Climate change and thawing permafrost are in accelerating spiral that releases methane
Arthur Max
November 24, 2010

Russia Hosts Summit to Save Tiger

Deforestation, loss of habitat and poaching hurry tiger’s extinction
November 23, 2010

Beijing's Threat to India's Water Security

China controls major sources of water for India
Amit Ranjan
November 15, 2010

UN Report Warns of Threat to Human Progress From Climate Change

Failure to fight climate change risks future generations
Larry Elliott, Mark Tran
November 5, 2010

Google Invests in Cycle-Powered Monorail

Innovative public transit monorail relies on pedal power for fuel
Holger Dambeck
October 26, 2010