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.

Climate Change Threatens Global Rice

Warmer nights and powerful storms reduce yields from so-called miracle rice
October 21, 2010

Hungary Toxic Sludge Spill an “Ecological Catastrophe” Says Government

Basic quality of life and environmental protections take back seat to industrial profits
Mark Tran
October 7, 2010

40 Percent Decline in the Ocean's Phytoplankton

Loss of tiny plants that provide half the world’s oxygen supply could pose dire consequences
Steve Connor
October 1, 2010

Another New World Order

Only long-term, civil consensus can tackle the four huge structural and global trends underway
Kevin Lynch
September 17, 2010

The Food Crisis

Population, climate change, limited land and water, all strain global supplies
Martin Walker
September 10, 2010