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.

Kenya Fishermen See Upside To Pirates: More Fish

Unintended consequences of piracy on the world’s fishery resources
Jason Straziuso
January 13, 2010

Cold War Offered Odd Benefit – It Limited Species Invasions

Humans will influence ecosystems by commission or omission
January 11, 2010

World's Top Polluter Emerges as Green-Technology Leader

China’s unique economic structure may lead to carbon capture success
Shai Oster
December 15, 2009

The Forecast is Gloomy

Countries would have to come up with concrete targets to make the Copenhagen summit a success
Nayan Chanda
December 7, 2009

Where the Wild Things Were

Protecting biodiversity and forestalling climate change go hand in hand
Steven Sanderson
December 2, 2009