Podcasts by 60-Second Earth
Leading science journalists provide a weekly one-minute report on the science of the environment and the future of energy. Scientific American offers three other podcasts: the daily "60-Second Science" and the weekly "60-Second Psych" as well as "Science Talk." To view all our archived podcasts please visit: www.scientificamerican.com/podcast
Further podcasts by Scientific American
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Environmental Issues Divide Presidential Contenders from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.895229
Where do the candidates stand on the environment and energy? David Biello reports
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Maul of the Wild: Sixth Extinction Wipes out Animals Worldwide from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.894057
Extinction juggernaut races across the globe
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Obama and (Climate) Change from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.885248
What is in store for environmental policy in the new Obama administration?
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I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas (Tree) from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.881261
When deciding on real or fake trees for the holiday season, think through the green pros and cons. David Biello reports
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Carbon Dioxide from Cars from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.877518
U.S. states are beginning to attack another major source of global warming pollution besides power plants: your car. David Biello reports
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Why Ecosystem Services Matter from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.874127
You may never have heard of ecosystem services, but you'd be hard-pressed to live without them. David Biello reports
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Carbon Offsets: Fact or Fiction? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.870765
Everyone from motorists to television producers are buying offsets to save the climate. But do they work? David Biello reports
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The Curious Case of Bees from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.867731
Honeybees: A European import vital to food production--or are they? David Biello reports
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Can Zoos Survive the Economic Crisis? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.866715
What happens to the animals when the economy collapses?
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Can Swine Flu Be Blamed on Industrial Farming? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.864263
Some have linked the new strain of H1N1 to an industrial hog farm in Mexico, David Biello reports
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Cash for Clunkers from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.863487
Is the government's new plan to pay people to trade in old, inefficient cars and trucks an environmental bane or boon? David Biello reports
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Germany's Solar Head Start from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.859824
Jeff Wolfe, the CEO of groSolar, a leading U.S. solar energy distribution and installation company, explains why Germany is developing solar energy at a faster pace than the U.S. Steve Mirsky reports
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The Wonderful World of Transgenic Animals from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.851209
From spider silk in goat's milk to tomato genes in salmon, genetically modified animals are proliferating--in the lab. David Biello reports
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Global Warming Beliefs from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.847580
How we perceive the future of our Earth may depend on an individual's view of nature and on their own human nature. Christie Nicholson reports
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Are Babies Bad for the Environment? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.846384
The best thing you can do for the planet might be having fewer children, a new study argues. David Biello reports
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World's Craziest Geoengineering Scheme from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.841187
From mimicking a volcanic eruption to mirrors in space, some geoengineering schemes are pretty far out there. David Biello reports.
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Earthquakes Exert Global Influence from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.837600
An earthquake in Indonesia can mean future tremors in California. David Biello reports
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Solar Decathlon Promotes Sunnier Future from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.835703
Students vie to be named top decathlete, but the real winners could be homeowners. David Biello reports
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Capturing Carbon Dioxide from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.801466
Is carbon capture and storage a climate boon or boondoggle?
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Can Energy Labels Be Trusted? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.798097
Just how good is the Energy Star label? David Biello reports
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Tracking Arctic Wolves in Months-Long Night from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.794372
Satellite collars are letting scientists track these mysterious denizens of the far north during the long winter night. David Biello reports
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Wolverine No Match for Climate Change from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.785912
The doughty predator is dwindling, thanks seemingly to less snow as a result of global warming. David Biello reports
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Seeking Transformational Energy Technologies from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.780103
Does the U.S. need an advanced research projects agency for energy? David Biello reports
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How Will Climate Change Impact Bread? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.776479
Warming temperatures have already impacted wheat yields--in the U.S. David Biello reports
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Cracking the Genetic Code of a Frog from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.772957
What does the genome of an amphibian tell us about ourselves? David Biello reports
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Sex Lives of Crickets Revealed from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.768719
Infrared cameras have enabled scientists to determine what makes for a successful cricket sex life. David Biello reports
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Gulf Coast Dead Zone Set to Grow from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.748829
Scientists predict a bigger than average dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico this year. David Biello reports (with narration by Christie Nicholson)
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Global Warming Is Undeniable from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.745335
Yet more scientific research highlights ongoing climate change--as the U.S. enjoys the hottest July on record. David Biello reports
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Can Charcoal Slow Climate Change and Improve Agriculture? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.744547
Adding biochar to soil might be a good way to cut pollution from agriculture while improving fertility. David Biello reports
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Carbon Dioxide from Cars, Part 2 from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.741145
Transportation is the fastest-growing source of emissions of carbon dioxide. The U.S. aims to change that with stickers. David Biello reports
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Wasted Food Equals Wasted Energy from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.737546
Wasting food isn't just bad in its own right, it also represents a profound waste of energy. David Biello reports
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Oil from the BP Disaster May Remain Thick on the Seafloor from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.693919
Soil samples taken from a 50-mile radius around the Macondo well reveal striped layers of thick goo, possibly containing oil. Christie Nicholson reports
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Yes, We Cancun on Climate Change? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.690472
After Copenhagen, the world reconvenes to try to combat climate change. David Biello reports
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Drink 'til You're Green from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.687239
What's worse than a hangover? The environmental impact of your drinking and mine. David Biello reports
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No Such Thing as a Free Parking Spot from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.686172
It's not just driving our cars that harms the environment, parking them also poses a problem. David Biello reports
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Teaching Bankers about Climate Change from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.682785
Why is HSBC teaching its employees about global warming? David Biello reports
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Predicting the Future of Oil from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.679645
And what does that mean for the U.S. economy and environment? David Biello reports
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Will Today's Trash Be Tomorrow's Island? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.676227
Ancient trash heaps became modern tree islands in the Everglades. David Biello reports
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Solar Power Boosts Home Sales? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.668244
A new study finds that photovoltaic systems provide a premium for houses. David Biello reports
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Whales Return to NYC Harbor from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.667437
A variety of species of whales have been rediscovered in the vicinity of New York City. Is it because they love musicals? David Biello investigates
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Are Biodegradeable Plastics Doing More Harm Than Good? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.664040
Depends on whether one worries about climate change or persistent plastics in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. David Biello reports
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The Buzz on Beer and Soda Fizz from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.660603
A look at the environmental burden of our favorite summer beverages. David Biello reports
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What If the Smart Grid Isn't So Smart? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.656473
New analyses show that equipping consumers with real-time information about electricity prices could crash the grid. David Biello reports
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Need Rain? Try Lasers from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.652415
New experiments show that firing lasers into the air might help induce or reduce rain. David Biello reports
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World's Largest River Restoration Project Begins from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.648870
The removal of two dams on the Elwha River will help restore once-abundant salmon runs. David Biello reports
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How Steve Jobs Tried to Make Apple Green from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.648054
The environmental and social impacts of all our gadgets are not insignificant. David Biello reports
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Buried in Coal Ash? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.644546
After yet another coal ash spill, is there anything that can be done to deal with the toxic waste? David Biello reports
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Simmering Planet Keeps Heating from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.495682
Despite decades of warnings, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, warming the world. Can such pollution peak this decade? David Biello asks
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Welcome to the Year of the Lightbulb from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.492363
Get ready to buy lightbulbs by lumens rather than watts. David Biello reports
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How to Make Electricity Using Plants and Sunshine from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.488224
A new system combines the power of plants and photovoltaics to make solar power cheap and durable. David Biello reports
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Living Plastic Eats Spilt Food from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.484686
Researchers impregnate layers of plastic with fungus to produce a living--and self-cleaning--material. David Biello reports
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135 Years of Records Reveals Deep Ocean Warming from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.480972
The ocean surface is warming. Using records going back more than a century to the British Challenger expedition, researchers calculate that the deep ocean is experiencing its own temperature rise. ...
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It's Not Dead, It's Resting from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.480205
There are a wide variety of life forms that can come back to life. David Biello reports
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How to Adapt to Climate Change from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.476643
As the globe warms, communities across the world are providing examples of how to adapt. David Biello reports
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How Climate Change May Impact Electricity Supplies from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.473350
Fossil-fuel burning power plants aren't only causing climate change, they're likely to suffer from such global warming. David Biello reports
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Are Western Forests Doomed to Burn Away? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.470043
Climate change may not only unleash fiercer wildfires but also ultimately replace Western forestland with grasslands. David Biello reports
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35 Years of Renewable Energy from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.469231
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has been working for 35 years to make solar power and other technologies a reality. David Biello reports
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UV Gives Fish Skin Cancer from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.465348
Fifteen percent of a sample of 136 trout caught near the Great Barrier Reef showed evidence of melanoma, with UV exposure the likely culprit. Christopher Intagliata reports
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How Much Life Is There on Earth? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.461778
New estimates decrease the likely number of microbes beneath the sea, but the truth is that we still don't really know. David Biello reports
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How Humans and Tigers Can Coexist from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.460945
One way to help save tigers would be to cede the night to them. David Biello reports
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How the Great Barrier Reef Is Disappearing Right before Our Eyes from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.457523
A new analysis reveals that coral cover on the world's largest biological construct has declined by more than 50 percent since 1985. David Biello reports
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Who Were the Greenest Presidents? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.454064
A survey of environmental groups finds that Teddy Roosevelt was the president with the highest environmental cred, followed by Richard Nixon. David Biello reports
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Sunlit Nanoparticles Turn Water to Steam from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.449601
Heated grains of coated sand turn water to steam without having to boil the whole pot. David Biello reports
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Trouble and Toil Has Not Slowed the Boil from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.448776
As climate change negotiations drag on, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, fulfilling scientists' predictions. David Biello reports
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Oil Harvesting Goes to Extremes from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.445188
The grounding of a drilling rig in Arctic waters illustrates the risks of pushing the boundaries of oil exploration and recovery. David Biello reports
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Earthworm Invaders Up Soil Greenhouse Gases from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.441659
The earthworm invasion of North America is increasing carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions from the soil. David Biello reports
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Will There Be Enough Water? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.438130
Water demands continue to inch up year after year even as climate change queers supply. Can civilization cope? David Biello reports
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Penguin Species Could Be Climate Winner from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.395397
Although climate change will cause massive disruption, it could benefit some species, such as the Adelie penguin. David Biello reports
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Remember the BP Oil Spill? Malformed Fish Do from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.391784
A new study shows that sediments fouled with oil from the blowout in the Gulf of Mexico caused problems for fish embryos. David Biello reports
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400-Year-Old Plant Resurrected from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.387289
Moss can wait out being entombed in glacial ice for centuries. David Biello reports
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Plastic Bags Litter Seafloor from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.386319
A new survey reveals that trash from our activities on land litters the bottom of the ocean, from shallow to deep. David Biello reports
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Climate Change Alters Soil Bacteria Distribution from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.383247
A warmer planet means that heat-seeking microbes will elbow out those that prefer life a bit more chilly, with unknown effects on the planet's ecology. Karen Hopkin reports
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Desert Shrubs Could Suck Up Carbon from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.379762
Planting the shrub jatropha in arid regions worldwide could sequester enough carbon to offset the annual CO2 pollution of China, the E.U. and the U.S. combined. David Biello reports
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Which Came First: Low CO2 or an Ice Age? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.376452
Look to the shells of marine algae to find the answer to historical global cooling. David Biello reports
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Trees Write Air Pollution Record In Wood from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.375711
The red cedar trees of West Virginia reveal just how effective U.S. clean air laws have been. David Biello reports
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Airplane Pollution Needs To Descend from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.372365
Airplanes may only contribute roughly 2 percent of the greenhouse gases warming the atmosphere. But they are one of the fastest growing sources. David Biello reports
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Can the World Reach Peak Waste? from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.369094
If the world's growing population embraces a throwaway culture, human civilization may drown in garbage. David Biello reports
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Dandruff Shampoo Could Mess Up Waterways from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.365817
Toxicity testing on shampoo that fights flakes reveals that it's bad for plants and animals once it's in wastewater. David Biello reports
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Blame Heat Waves on Loss of Arctic Sea Ice from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.365048
New research suggests a link between the precipitous meltdown of Arctic summer sea ice and broiling heat waves. David Biello reports
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China Holiday Travel Puts Spotlight on Transportation from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.359367
Lunar New Year means tens of millions of travelers in China, mostly by bus but increasingly by car, which is bad news for air quality. David Biello reports
Global Warming Freezes Penguin Chicks from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.358319
More rain related to a warming climate soaks Magellanic penguin chicks to the skin before their waterproof feathers grow in, killing them from hypothermia. Allie Wilkinson reports
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Air-Gun Oil Exploration Wrongs Right Whales from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.356024
The U.S. government has given industry permission to use of lethally loud seismic devices up and down the east coast. David Biello reports
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Citizen Environmental Monitoring Could Keep Officials Honest from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.352649
Smartphones, cheap satellite imaging and crowdfunded enterprises have made citizen oversight possible that was undreamed of by past transparency advocates and environmentalists. David Biello report...
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Earthquake Deflection Takes a Tiny Step from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.351880
Building on light-cloaking work, physicists took a small step toward the goal of shielding cities from earthquakes by deflecting incoming energy. David Biello reports
Bumper Corn Looks Dicey in Drought from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.349127
Corn plants bred to be planted very close together thrive in good weather but appear to be particularly vulnerable to the droughts predicted in the coming decades. Cynthia Graber reports
Better Car Labeling Could Pump Up Fuel Efficiency from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.345856
When gas mileage cost was explicitly revealed on new car window stickers, potential consumers were more likely to choose the most efficient vehicle. David Biello reports.
I Just Want to Say One Word to You: Plastiglomerate from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.345121
Thanks to us humans, there's a new type of rock in the geologic record. And it's part plastic. David Biello reports
Bahamas Creation Linked to African Dust from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.339518
Cyanobacteria fed by nutrients carried over the Atlantic in African dust may have initiated the process by which, over millions of years, calcium carbonate collected to build the Bahamas. David Bie...
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Historic Abundance of Blue Whales Returns in California from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.300768
The mighty blue whale is back after being nearly hunted to extinction. David Biello reports
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Wildlife Population Plummeted Since 1970 from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.297974
A World Wildlife Fund report estimates losses of 40 percent of all individual land and sea animals, and a 70 percent population crash of all river animals, since 1970. David Biello reports
Clock Ticking on Climate Change Prevention from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.294773
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 's new synthesis report adds urgency to the need to cut additional greenhouse gas pollution
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Dig This: China Cuts Coal Production from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.285738
The biggest single source of global warming pollution actually started to shrink in 2014. David Biello reports
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Siberian Winters See Temp Uptick from 2022-02-22T12:24:49.284955
The long-term winter warming of Russia’s far north has gotten a boost from industrialization. David Biello reports
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New Map Knows Noise from 2015-02-23T14:28
National Park Service researchers recorded ambient sound from all over the country to find out where there’s still stillness. David Biello reports
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Oil-Eating Microbes Have Worldwide Underground Connections from 2015-02-15T11:00
Life thrives even deep inside Earth and scientists are beginning to suspect extensive connections among those underground environments. David Biello reports
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Is Recycling Worth the Effort? from 2015-01-28T13:25
The value of recycling depends on the material in question and whether all hidden costs and benefits go into the analysis. David Biello reports
Tropical Forests Pay Price for Gold Rush from 2015-01-20T22:44
Desire for gold has made mining in tropical forests financially worthwhile, leading to ecosystem destruction. Cynthia Graber reports
Cheap Oil Means Raise the Gas T-Word from 2015-01-12T09:58
Low oil prices present an opportunity to come to grips with our crumbling infrastructure and the cost of climate change. David Biello reports
Meet the (Newest Known) Beetles! from 2014-12-30T18:57
Researchers announced the discovery of 98 beetle species previously unknown to science. David Biello reports
Oil Spill Sullies World Heritage Site from 2014-12-22T18:55
The Sundarbans, part of the world's largest mangrove forest and stretching across India and Bangladesh, have been tarnished by a 350,000-liter oil spill. David Biello reports
Plummeting Petroleum Price Gases Up Global Warming from 2014-12-15T12:00
Good news for gas and oil consumers can be bad news for the environment. David Biello reports
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Movies Can Boost Solar Power from 2014-11-28T09:00
The pattern that stores a film on a Blu-ray disc also can help improve photovoltaics. David Biello reports
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Sun's Magnetic Field Boosts Earth Lightning from 2014-11-24T08:00
When the Sun's magnetic field is pointed away from Earth, lightning strikes in the U.K. go up 50 percent. Christopher Intagliata reports
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Wildlife Crime? There's an App for That from 2014-11-18T18:50
A new tool may help officials crack down on the illegal wildlife trade. David Biello reports
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Protected Areas Get Short Shrift from 2014-11-10T21:34
Protected land and sea areas serve the wildlife within them as well as the humans who live near them. But countries are backtracking on their financial commitments to these vital regions. Steve Mir...
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Better E-Waste Handling Helps Environment and Health from 2014-10-28T10:58
Plastic-removal machines will enable Ghana's e-waste recoverers to get at valuable metal guts without burning off the exteriors. David Biello reports
Bottling the Sun's Power on Earth from 2014-10-19T11:00
A breakthrough in fusion could solve the world's energy problems, but remains improbable. David Biello reports
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Ebola Gorilla Vaccine Could Prevent Human Outbreaks from 2014-10-13T15:36
Infected gorillas and chimps butchered for meat may be behind Ebola outbreaks. David Biello reports
People Power Takes Aim at Climate Change from 2014-09-20T13:33
Participlants in the People's Climate March in New York City September 21st hope to persuade world leaders at the U.N. Climate Summit that follows. David Biello reports
Ozone Hole Closing Up, Thanks to Global Action from 2014-09-15T19:20
The world united to combat the ozone hole, can we do the same for climate change? David Biello reports
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How to Save the Woods from 2014-08-24T14:30
The first step in solving the world's forest problem is recognizing the world's forest problem. David Biello reports
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Spill Some Oil? Magnetize It for Cleanup from 2014-08-17T10:45
A physicist may have dreamed up a new way to clean up oil spills. David Biello reports
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Antique Markets Used to Launder Poached Ivory from 2014-08-11T10:35
Legal ivory markets that are supposed to only deal in stockpiles and antiques inevitably launder poached ivory. Close them all, says WCS vice president for species conservation. David Biello report...
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Some Coral Should Produce Shells in Acidifying Ocean from 2014-07-27T13:00
Of four common corals and algae tested, three still produced shells in conditions that mimic oceans if atmospheric CO2 concentrations reached 1,000 ppm. David Biello reports
Ants Could Help Warming Cry Uncle from 2014-07-21T09:36
At test sites, the exposure of rock by ants accelerated the absorption of atmospheric CO 2 by the rock by as much as 335 times compared with ant-free areas. David Biello reports
Urban Growth Defines This Century from 2014-07-14T17:36
How existing cities expand and new cities emerge will determine how humanity fares in the 21st century. David Biello reports
Environmental Crime Funds Terrorism from 2014-06-29T12:43
Environmental destruction—from smuggling elephant tusks to illegal dumping of toxic waste—generates as much as $213 billion annually for criminals and terrorists. David Biello reports <...
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Future Smog Looks More Persistent from 2014-06-23T10:05
Computer models show that increased levels of greenhouse gases, along with their trapped heat, will make the atmosphere more stagnant, leading to many more days of unhealthy air. David Biello repor...
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Poisoned Poor Killed in Millions by Pollution from 2014-06-15T09:10
The Global Alliance on Health and Pollution calls for a war against pollution to save the lives of more than eight million people annually. David Biello reports
Pope Francis Pleas for the Environment from 2014-05-25T12:30
In a May 21 speech Pope Francis warned that despoiling the environment would come back to haunt humanity. David Biello reports
Poetry Poster Sucks Up Smog from 2014-05-19T10:32
A building-sized poem shows how billboards could help cut pollution from cars. David Biello reports
Hurricanes Move Away from Equator with Expanding Tropics from 2014-05-14T19:30
Since the 1970s the locations where tropical cyclones (hurricanes and typhoons) reach their maximum intensities have shifted toward both poles at a rate of about 35 miles per decade. David Biello r...
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Biodiversity Survives Extinctions for Now from 2014-04-20T09:56
A meta-analysis of ecosystems finds that species losses in any given place do not yet translate to large changes in the number of different species in that place. David Biello reports
Fish Smell Badly in More Acidic Oceans from 2014-04-13T19:44
Some fish living in waters with currently naturally high levels of CO2 lose their sense of smell, and with it their ability to perceive predators—a possible portent to a global situation in t...
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Space-Based Solar Collectors Could Have a Sunny Future from 2014-03-24T20:09
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory has a working prototype for a space-based solar energy collector and distributor that would beat the cloudy-day problem. David Biello reports
Realistic Climate Models Exhibit Greenhouse Gas Sensitivity from 2014-03-16T17:25
A consideration of the role of sootlike particulates and ozone implies that the climate should will not be insensitive to increasing levels of greenhouse gases. David Biello reports
Lighting May Cut Seed-Rich Bat Guano Production from 2014-03-13T20:43
Bats ate less fruit in lit areas than in dark ones, which may lessen their seed-dispersal activities needed to bring back slashed rainforests. Cynthia Graber reports.
Climate Currently Pays for Increased Human Wealth from 2014-02-23T13:00
A new study attempts to quantify CO 2 emissions if economic growth continues. David Biello reports
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Cities Befriend Select Plants and Animals from 2014-02-18T20:30
As more people move to cities, careful planning could mean a happy home for both humans and a substantial amount of wildlife. David Biello reports
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If the Fuel Source Ain't Clean, Your Electric Car Ain't Green from 2014-01-26T18:30
A host of factors determine the role of electric and hybrid cars in reducing greenhouse gas pollution, such as whether coal is their ultimate fuel source. David Biello reports
Heat Is on These Countries for the Heat from 2014-01-21T11:00
A new analysis calculates each of the world's countries total amount of CO2 pollution, along with responsibility for the ensuing global warming
Cold Outside? Forecast Calls for an Uptick in Global Warming Disbelief from 2014-01-12T13:01:08
The temperature outside governs most people's response to climate change. David Biello reports
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The Biggest Stories on Earth from 2013-12-29T09:01:08
David Biello looks back at the big environmental stories of the year covered on 60-Second Earth
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Don't Treat Old Gadgets Like Garbage from 2013-12-22T00:00:08
E-waste is a large--and growing--problem that can be addressed by thoughtful disposal, David Biello reports
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How Many Partridges Are Really in that Pear Tree? from 2013-12-15T15:00:08
The annual Christmas Bird Count is revealing big changes in the avian world, thanks to us ground-dwellers. David Biello reports
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Human Health Depends on a Healthy Environment from 2013-11-25T11:01:08
A new study examines the links between environmental degradation and human illness. David Biello reports
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Burying Coal Ash for Good from 2013-11-17T09:00:08
Five years later, what lessons have been learned from the Christmas coal ash spill? David Biello investigates
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Ozone Hole History Offers Climate Lesson from 2013-11-10T13:01:08
The Montreal Protocol aimed to fix the ozone hole but it also delayed global warming. David Biello reports
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Fertilizers Are (Nearly) Forever from 2013-10-27T09:00:08
While most fertilizer nitrogen ends up in plants, plenty sits in the soil for decades. David Biello reports
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U.S. Government Shutdown Disrupts Earth Monitoring from 2013-10-20T09:00:08
From climate records to penguin counts, the shutdown of the U.S. government will have lasting science effects. David Biello reports
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Climate Change Fight Needs Game Attitude from 2013-10-13T09:00:08
Game theory suggests that punishment for pollution has to come at the local level. David Biello reports
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Can Solar Power Be Cheap? from 2013-09-29T09:00:08
New technologies will be needed for photovoltaics to become cheap. David Biello reports
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Fighting Climate Change Also Battles Disease from 2013-09-22T13:01:08
Cutting down on greenhouse gas pollution could deliver health benefits. David Biello reports
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Which Places Are Most Vulnerable to Climate Change? from 2013-09-15T13:01:08
Changes in the weather mean changes in ecosystems and a new report maps vulnerability. David Biello investigates
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Cellist Converts Climate Data To Song from 2013-08-25T18:40:08
University of Minnesota undergraduate Daniel Crawford studies geography and environmental science. He's also a cellist. He converted more than a century of global temperature data to create A Song ...
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How Many Ants Become World Travelers? from 2013-08-18T18:00:08
Just how many ant species are humans moving from place to place? David Biello reports
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Big Animal Extinction Impoverishes Soil from 2013-08-11T13:01:08
Megafauna extinctions prove a key factor in reduced soil fertility. David Biello reports
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How to Prevent Another Fukushima Explosion from 2013-07-28T09:00:08
A new material for protecting nuclear fuel could cut down on the risk of explosions. David Biello reports
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When a Heat Wave Is the Future, You Need Better Air-Conditioning from 2013-07-21T09:00:08
Demand for A-C is only going to grow, so we'll need better technologies. David Biello reports
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Where's the Best Place to Put a Wind Farm? from 2013-07-14T09:00:08
It's not just where it's windiest, according to new research. David Biello reports
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Is There a Formula for Better Cities? from 2013-06-30T09:00:08
Mathematical rules could allow for better city planning, David Biello reports
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To Store More Carbon, Make Grasshoppers Nervous from 2013-06-23T10:00:08
Living in a landscape of fear means more of the greenhouse gas driving climate change gets stored in plants. David Biello reports
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Climate Change Getting Worse by the Minute from 2013-06-16T10:00:08
The world is not on track to reduce, or even restrain global warming. David Biello reports
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Water Waste May Leave Us Thirsty from 2013-05-26T09:00:08
Humans are using and abusing freshwater resources at an accelerating rate. David Biello reports
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Who's Paying the Price for Global Warming? from 2013-05-19T00:00:08
U.S. taxpayers have so far borne the brunt of climate change costs. David Biello reports
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Moon Base Work Yields Clean Steel Process from 2013-05-13T10:00:08
A new method to make steel using electricity rather than flame could produce virtually no carbon emissions. David Biello reports
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Air Gun Blasts Shatter Undersea Tranquility from 2013-04-28T09:00:08
Proposals to open the U.S. east coast for oil and gas exploration mean an increasingly noisy neighborhood for marine life. David Biello reports
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Is Sustainability Even Possible? from 2013-04-21T10:00:08
More than 40 years after Earth Day, human civilization is still far from the ideal of sustainability. David Biello reports
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Cut Soot to Stave Off Sea Level Rise from 2013-04-14T13:01:08
Reducing certain kinds of air pollution could limit the rise of ocean waters and buy time to address CO2 emissions. David Biello reports
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Extinction May Not Be Forever from 2013-03-31T09:00:08
The tools of synthetic biology offer hope for the resurrection of extinct species. David Biello reports
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Can a Pope Change the World? from 2013-03-24T09:00:08
New Pope Francis I called for protecting the environment, but it remains to be seen how that might happen. David Biello reports
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Life Abides, Even in the Deep from 2013-03-17T14:01:08
An analysis of the deepest spot in the oceans finds signs of microbial life. David Biello reports
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Chavez's Death Could Affect Oil Prices, Production and Pollution from 2013-03-10T09:00:08
Hugo Chavez's death may have an impact on the global oil market--and thus on the global climate as well. David Biello reports
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How Skynet Could Help Save the Planet from 2013-02-24T07:01:08
Machine-to-machine communication offers an opportunity to make the modern world more energy efficient. David Biello reports
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Insurance for Global Catastrophes, Whether Asteroids or Climate Change from 2013-02-20T00:00:08
Spend a little more time observing meteors or combating climate change, spend a little less time worrying about global catastrophes. David Biello reports
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Roses Raise Environment Concerns from 2013-02-10T11:09:08
From water use to carbon emissions, raising and distributing roses has an environmental impact worse than many other crops. David Biello reports
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Communication Towers Pluck Birds from 2013-01-29T20:33:08
Almost seven million birds are killed each year when they fly into communication towers. David Biello reports
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Obama Pledges to Address Climate, Energy from 2013-01-21T18:02:08
In his second inaugural address, Pres. Barack Obama said the U.S. must respond to the threat of climate change and lead the development of sustainable energy
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Electric Cars Need a New Sound from 2013-01-13T22:45:08
Federal guidelines will dictate that electric vehicles start making more noise at low speeds. David Biello reports
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We Look Back Earthily at 2012 from 2012-12-30T08:00:08
Superstorms, electric cars, alternative fuels and Arctic sea ice all made environmental news in 2012. David Biello reports
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Maya Civilization Provides a Real Apocalyptic Lesson from 2012-12-23T09:00:08
Research shows that what laid low Mayan society was climate change, which brought prolonged drought. David Biello reports
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Leaked Report Confirms Human-Induced Climate Change from 2012-12-16T12:30:08
The world is on track for warming of at least 2 degrees Celsius, according to a leaked draft of the next IPCC report. David Biello reports
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What to Expect from Climate Negotiations from 2012-11-25T00:00:08
As the world gathers in Doha, is progress being made in reducing greenhouse gas pollution? David Biello reports
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Advanced Biofuels Hope to Change the Climate for Transportation from 2012-11-18T09:00:08
Fuel from algae is being sold in California, a first step toward a future of advanced biofuels. David Biello reports
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Global Warming Means Culture Change from 2012-11-11T13:01:08
Climate isn't the only thing global warming will change. David Biello reports
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What Does It Take to Make a "Frankenstorm"? from 2012-10-27T14:00:08
The U.S. east coast is enduring what's been dubbed a "Frankenstorm" for its combination of multiple different types of weather systems. David Biello reports
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Human Thirst Makes Earth Quake from 2012-10-21T13:01:08
Man-made earthquakes are a real and growing phenomenon. David Biello reports
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Can the City That Never Sleeps Forgo Nuclear Power? from 2012-10-14T03:00:08
The bright lights of the big city currently rely on fission, but a new study suggests efficiency and renewables could do the job instead. David Biello reports
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Candidates Mum on Climate Change from 2012-09-30T14:00:08
How can we break the ice and get a political conversation started about climate change, David Biello asks
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Prime Time Fox News and WSJ Editorial Climate Coverage Mostly Wrong from 2012-09-21T19:17:08
An analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientsts finds that 93 percent of climate info on Fox News prime time and 81 percent on The Wall Street Journal opinion pages is misleading. Steve Mirsky reports
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Bird Seed Poisons Wild Birds from 2012-09-16T12:00:08
To improve shelf life, Scotts Miracle-Gro used a pesticide toxic to birds in its bird seed. David Biello reports
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Energy Hits the U.S. Presidential Campaign Trail from 2012-08-26T10:00:08
Romney wants "energy independence," Obama prefers an "all of the above" approach. What's the difference? David Biello reports
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Fukushima Radiation Damages Butterflies, but Not People--Yet from 2012-08-19T09:00:08
Scientific analyses are beginning to unravel the biological consequences of the radioactive particles released during the Fukushima meltdowns. David Biello reports
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Drilling for Offshore Oil Comes to the Arctic from 2012-08-12T09:00:08
As Shell prepares to drill for oil in the Chukchi Sea, what are the risks? David Biello reports
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Greener Olympics Mean Cleaner Air from 2012-07-30T09:16:08
A new analysis shows how the summer Olympics helped clear the air in Beijing--and combat climate change. David Biello reports
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Marijuana Farms Poison Wildlife from 2012-07-22T09:00:08
Pathologists have found the first evidence of wildlife poisoned by a cash crop--and not in a traditional agricultural area. David Biello reports
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Could Geoengineering Stop Heat Waves? from 2012-07-15T09:00:08
Scientists explore whether artificial volcanoes might beat the heat. David Biello reports
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Warming Oceans Will Follow Laws of Physics from 2012-06-24T09:00:08
Warmer waters mean higher sea levels, but how high? David Biello reports
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For Sustainability, Go Beyond Gross Domestic Product from 2012-06-17T10:31:08
The widely used economic measure grossly distorts the environmental and social costs of some growth, David Biello reports
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Are We Pushing the Planet to the Brink of Irreversible Environmental Change? from 2012-06-10T01:41:08
The human transformation of the planet is now bigger than the end of the last ice age. What does that mean for the planet? David Biello asks
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Another Casualty of War?: The Environment from 2012-05-27T09:00:08
From lingering pollution to feeding soldiers on bushmeat, war can be tough on the environment. David Biello reports
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Why Tariffs on Chinese Photovoltaics Are Bad for the Planet from 2012-05-20T09:00:08
The U.S. has placed tariffs on Chinese solar panels in a bid to protect American solar companies. David Biello reports
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Wasted Food No More from 2012-05-13T09:00:08
Massachusetts may ban big institutions from discarding food in the trash in a bid to cut down on the methane from landfills. David Biello reports
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L.A. Needs to Stop Being Such a Cow Town from 2012-04-29T09:00:08
New research suggests that the waste from dairy farms may be a bigger source of smog in Los Angeles than the region's millions of cars. David Biello reports
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Happy Earth Day! Welcome to the Anthropocene from 2012-04-22T09:00:08
Scientists are suggesting that the present day is part of a new era in the planet's history. David Biello reports
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Take Me Out to the Renewably Powered Ballgame from 2012-04-15T09:00:08
Baseball teams across the country are investing in renewable power for their stadiums. David Biello reports
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How Industrial Noise Helps and Hurts Plants from 2012-03-25T10:00:08
By encouraging and discouraging certain animals, human noise has an effect on vegetation. David Biello reports
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Global Energy Hunger Leaves Little Room to Displace Dirty Fuels from 2012-03-18T14:01:08
One of the promises of renewable energy is its ability to displace polluting fossil fuels, but is it fulfilling that pledge? David Biello reports
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Fukushima: We Listen Back from 2012-03-11T14:00:08
Newly released audio takes us through the first week of the nuclear meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi on this first anniversary of the crisis. David Biello reports
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How Raindrops Calm the Wind from 2012-02-26T09:00:08
New research suggests the drag on falling precipitation helps slow atmospheric circulation. David Biello reports
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Is the Keystone Pipeline a Shortcut to Catastrophic Climate Change? from 2012-02-19T13:00:08
The Keystone XL pipeline wouldn't be a major environmental calamity, but oil addiction is. David Biello reports
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What Does a Coup in the Maldives Mean for Climate Change? from 2012-02-12T10:00:08
The fate of an island chain's president may mean more--or even less--progress to combat climate change. David Biello reports
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How Much Energy Do You Waste Charging Your Cell Phone? from 2012-01-29T09:00:08
Battery chargers are everywhere these days, wasting electricity. California aims to change that. David Biello reports
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Worried about Air Pollution? Don't Hide Indoors from 2012-01-22T09:00:08
Scientists are uncovering more and more evidence that the air in buildings can be bad for you. David Biello reports
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Gee Whiz, Why Not Recycle Urine for Drinking Water? from 2012-01-16T11:32:08
The U.S. can no longer afford to ignore sewage as a source of drinking water, scientists argue. David Biello reports
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Michael Mann Defends Climate Computer Models from 2012-01-10T10:27:08
Penn State climate modeler Michael Mann talks about what computer models can tell us--and what they don't need to. David Biello reports
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What Are the Chances of a White Christmas? from 2011-12-25T09:00:08
Climate change is also messing with cherished holiday dreams. David Biello reports
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Should the Media Pay for Nature Conservation? from 2011-12-18T09:00:08
Given the profits made from filming the natural world, can a scheme be worked out to pay for this ecosystem service? David Biello reports
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Durban Deal May Bring Climate Change Action into 21st Century from 2011-12-11T10:16:08
As time ran out on the latest international climate change negotiations, an agreement was reached that includes all significant countries in the effort to reduce greenhouse gases. David Biello reports
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Give Thanks for Methods to Cut Back on Wasted Food from 2011-11-27T12:00:08
The world wastes more food than all of sub-Saharan Africa produces. Can that be stopped? David Biello reports
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Oceans Teem with Tiny Plastic Particles from 2011-11-20T09:00:08
Washing machine wastewater carries tiny pieces of plastic to the oceans, where they wind up in sea life. David Biello reports
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Flying on a Wing and Oil from Plants from 2011-11-13T10:00:08
A new era in aviation dawned this week in the U.S. with the first flights powered by biofuels. David Biello reports
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Halloween Chocolate: More Trick Than Treat? from 2011-10-30T09:00:08
Chocolate has a dark side--child slave labor. David Biello reports
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Why Is the CIA Keeping Climate Change Secret? from 2011-10-23T09:00:08
The Central Intelligence Agency is working on climate change, but you'd never know it. David Biello reports
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Disc Spins Its Way to $1-Million Oil Spill Cleanup Prize from 2011-10-16T10:00:08
Is there a better way to clean up the next oil spill disaster? David Biello reports
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Fukushima Fallout in Japan from 2011-09-25T09:00:08
The melted down reactors are stabilizing, but the real work of repair has yet to begin. David Biello reports
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Can the World Handle Chinese Cars? from 2011-09-18T09:00:08
The first car mostly made in China has arrived for sale in the U.S. David Biello reports
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Need a Break? Try Nature from 2011-09-11T10:00:08
A growing body of research suggests nature walks may be more restorative than traditional stimulants like caffeine. David Biello reports
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How Much Life Does Earth Host? from 2011-08-28T09:00:08
The number of species currently alive is a best guess at best. David Biello reports
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Why Environmentalism Is Conservative from 2011-08-21T09:00:08
Have conservatives abandoned their roots as environmental leaders? David Biello investigates
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Bringing Birds Back to Regrowing Forests from 2011-08-14T09:00:08
Once fragmented forests are growing back together, do tropical birds follow? David Biello reports
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Eating the Lionfish from 2011-07-31T09:00:08
The answer to an invasive fish species in the Atlantic and Caribbean may just be overfishing. David Biello reports
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Feeding the Grid with Sunshine at College from 2011-07-24T12:00:08
Butte College in California hosts a massive solar array, which allows it to produce more electricity than it uses. David Biello reports
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Absence of Top Predators Brings Unanticipated Changes from 2011-07-17T11:00:08
Ecologists document the negative ripple effects of removing top predators from ecosystems. David Biello reports
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Electric Cars May Need Noisemakers from 2011-07-10T21:31:08
Whisper-quiet electric and hybrid cars may need an artificial sound boost to let pedestrians know they're there. David Biello reports
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Pacific Plankton Crosses to Atlantic, Thanks to Arctic Meltdown from 2011-06-26T09:00:08
Warmer temperatures in the North are allowing species to shift from ocean to ocean. David Biello reports
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Sunspot-Related Cooling Can't Offset Greenhouse Warming from 2011-06-19T04:00:08
Changes to the sunspot cycle will have an impact on our weather and climate--but not a very big one. David Biello reports
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Pavement Contributes to Poor Air Quality from 2011-06-12T19:28:08
Paved roads and sprawl are likely to blame for summertime smog buildup. David Biello reports
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Whither the Honey Bee? from 2011-05-29T09:01:08
For the fourth consecutive year, roughly one third of managed honey bees died last winter. David Biello reports
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What Does the Fukushima Meltdown Mean for U.S. Reactors? from 2011-05-22T09:00:08
It is now clear that at least one reactor at Fukushima experienced a full core meltdown, so what does that mean for similar nuclear power plants in the U.S.? David Biello reports
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America's Climate Choices Are Narrowing from 2011-05-15T09:00:08
With every year of inaction the risks posed by climate change grow, according to a new report requested by Congress. David Biello reports
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Can Re-Wilding Work? from 2011-04-24T09:00:08
Introducing animal analogues of their extinct cousins might help repair otherwise irreparable ecosystem damage. David Biello reports
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Can Taxes Be Green? from 2011-04-17T09:00:08
Could taxing environmental ills prove more of a solution to pollution than dilution? David Biello investigates
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How Doth Your Native Flora Grow? from 2011-04-10T09:00:08
The diversity of local plants goes down when a city springs up. David Biello reports
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The Origin of Life from 2011-03-27T10:00:08
A new analysis suggests lightning and volcanoes helped make life possible. David Biello reports
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Chernobyl Opens for Tourism from 2011-03-20T09:00:08
Next month marks Chernobyl's 25th anniversary, and the site is now accepting tourists. Christie Nicholson reports
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Oil Spills Mean Air Pollution, Too from 2011-03-13T09:00:08
BP's massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico didn't just foul the ocean, it also tainted the air. David Biello reports
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Global Rise of the Fire Ant? Blame U.S. Trade from 2011-02-27T10:00:08
A new study shows that the invasive species has spread not from its original home in South America but from its beachhead in the southeastern U.S., David Biello reports
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Permafrost Meltdown May Herald Climate Catastrophe from 2011-02-20T10:00:08
The thawing of a thin layer of frozen Arctic soils will exacerbate global warming. David Biello reports
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Does Drilling for Electricity Make Sense? from 2011-02-13T21:20:08
Harnessing Earth's heat to make electricity is an underrated renewable resource. David Biello reports
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Another Reason to Hate Shopping Sound Tracks from 2011-01-30T13:00:08
The background music in stores and shopping malls designed to spur sales also spur emissions of greenhouse gases. David Biello reports
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Is Coal Fly Ash Responsible for Mass Extinction? from 2011-01-23T13:01:08
Forget CO2, the toxic aftermath of coal burning might be responsible for the worst mass extinction event the world has ever known. David Biello reports
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Strike Off the Band, Says Penguin Study from 2011-01-16T10:00:08
Banding penguins to track them is bad for their health, a new study reports. David Biello investigates
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The Earth in 2010 from 2010-12-26T09:00:08
What were the biggest environmental stories in 2010? David Biello reports
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A Holiday for Consumption? from 2010-12-19T10:00:08
The (environmental) meaning of Christmas. David Biello reports
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Energy Choices Predict Future Climate from 2010-12-12T10:00:08
Physics Nobel laureate and U.S. energy secretary, Steven Chu, offers his thoughts on the paired challenge of climate change and clean energy in Cancun. David Biello reports
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Is Climate Change Too Scary? from 2010-11-28T09:00:08
Doom and gloom doesn't motivate action on environmental problems, but is there hope for behavior change? David Biello reports
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Will Economic Health Align with Environmental Health? from 2010-11-21T13:01:08
What impact did the Great Recession have on climate change? David Biello reports
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Scientists Decide on Top 5 Issues for Sustainability from 2010-11-14T16:00:08
The International Council for Science has narrowed down five top challenges the world needs to meet in order to sustain our planet. Christie Nicholson reports
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A Citizen Scientist Changes Our Understanding of Whales from 2010-10-31T00:00:08
A woman from Hancock, Maine, discovered that a tourist snapshot of a humpback whale on Flickr matched with photos documented in the Allied Whale research catalogue, providing proof that this whale ...
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A Ban on Biodiversity? from 2010-10-24T09:00:08
Despite being the voice of the world's flora and fauna, will the delegates at the 10th meeting of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity actually bring real change? David Biello reports
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The Little Energy Program That Could? from 2010-10-17T10:00:08
The innovative research and development program known as ARPA-e is in imminent danger of losing funding--and putting the U.S. even further behind in its bid for a clean-energy economy. David Biello...
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The Sound of the Automobile's Future? from 2010-10-10T10:00:08
Automobiles go back to the future and become electric, but are they too quiet? David Biello reports
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Tapping the Power in Hot Rocks from 2010-09-26T11:00:08
So-called geothermal power has been around for more than a century. What will it take to heat up this energy source? David Biello reports
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Life Is Tough, Especially for Microbes from 2010-09-19T11:00:08
A newly discovered extremophile can subsist on a modicum of energy. David Biello reports
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Corals Face Catastrophic Bleaching from 2010-09-12T09:00:08
This year could be a very bad year for coral reefs, thanks to warm waters as a result of El Nino and climate change. David Biello reports
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The Price of Traffic in China from 2010-08-29T19:00:08
It's not just the inconveniences of traffic jams that may last for months outside of Beijing, it's also the global climate. David Biello reports
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How Will Climate Change Impact Bread?, Part 2 from 2010-08-23T14:30:08
Warming temperatures will exacerbate crop-destructive events, ranging from fires to floods. David Biello reports
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Keeping Oil Underground in Ecuador from 2010-08-15T09:00:08
The United Nations partners with Ecuador in a bid to pay for the privilege of keeping oil underground and a tropical forest undisturbed. David Biello reports
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China Surpasses U.S. in Energy Use? from 2010-07-25T09:00:08
China is now the world's number-one user of energy--unless you ask the Chinese. David Biello reports
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Sea Level Rise Swamps Islands from 2010-07-18T10:00:08
The seas are already overlapping islands and coasts from Panama to India. David Biello reports
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Floating Wind Turbines Promise Clean Power from 2010-07-11T09:00:08
Ocean-based wind turbines don't need to be firmly anchored to the seafloor, according to a new study. David Biello reports, with narration by Christie Nicholson
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Are Modern Cities for People or Cars? from 2010-06-27T09:00:08
The cities of the future might be greener, cleaner and more vibrant if people are put before automobiles. David Biello reports
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Will the Oil Spill Kill Sperm Whales? from 2010-06-20T09:00:08
A group of endangered sperm whales live in the vicinity of the oil spill--and now one of them has turned up dead. David Biello reports
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The Full Price of Oil from 2010-06-13T09:00:08
The ongoing oil spill is just one cost of our ongoing addiction to fossil fuel. David Biello reports
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How to Re-Create an Ecosystem from 2010-05-30T09:00:08
What lives in a given ecosystem depends on history. David Biello reports
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Save the Whales--by Hunting Them? from 2010-05-23T09:00:08
A new proposal would limit whaling, by permitting small amounts of it. David Biello reports
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Lizards Feel the Heat from Climate Change from 2010-05-16T15:00:08
Extinction already stalks lizards, thanks to global warming. David Biello reports
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How Bad Is the Oil Spill? from 2010-05-12T16:00:08
As bad as it is, BP's Gulf oil spill dwindles compared with gushers of the past. David Biello reports
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Navy Commits to Alt Fuels from 2010-04-25T18:35:08
The Earth Day test flight of a partially biofuel-powered F/A-18 Green Hornet was another example of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus's commitment to decreasing the military's consumption of foreign fossil ...
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What's the Most Recycled Product in the U.S.? from 2010-04-18T09:00:08
It's not paper, plastic or even aluminum. David Biello reports
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Keeping Coal Mines from Exploding from 2010-04-11T09:00:08
Preventing explosions in coal mines isn't rocket science. David Biello reports
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Bye-Bye Bluefin Tuna from 2010-03-28T13:00:08
By failing to curb trade in the endangered ocean giant, the international community may have doomed it to extinction. David Biello reports
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Does Solar Power Need a Revolution? from 2010-03-21T09:00:08
Some argue that major technical breakthroughs are needed to make electricity from sunshine cheap. Are they right? David Biello reports
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Who Is to Blame for Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions? from 2010-03-14T09:00:08
Global trade, outsourcing and climate change prove how interconnected economic and environmental problems are. David Biello reports
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Fracking to Free Natural Gas? from 2010-02-28T09:00:08
A new technique to shatter shale and get the gas within offers promise--and peril. David Biello reports
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The Complex Physics of Clouds from 2010-02-21T00:00:08
How well do scientists understand clouds?
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What Does Winter Weather Reveal about Global Warming? from 2010-02-11T16:30:08
No single weather event proves or disproves the fundamental science of climate change, but extreme weather is what scientists expect from global warming. David Biello reports
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Have Wallet Cards Helped Fish? from 2010-01-28T17:00:08
Or simply hurt trees and consumer's brains? David Biello reports
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How Fast Are Himalayan Glaciers Melting? from 2010-01-21T07:00:08
The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change goofs in predicting total meltdown by 2035. But the roof of the world is still losing its icy coat. David Biello reports
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In the 12 Months of 2009 from 2009-12-31T11:56:08
David Biello offers a semimusical look back at the year just had by the Earth and its people
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Copenhagen's Carbon Debt from 2009-12-18T11:04:08
How many greenhouse gas emissions does negotiating a climate change treaty take? David Biello reports
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Copenhagen: Look to the Sea? from 2009-12-10T10:00:08
The oceans may be largely overlooked at the climate conference in Copenhagen, but they will bear the brunt of climate change. David Biello reports
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What Explains Past Climate Change? from 2009-11-26T14:02:08
Was the climate really hotter during medieval times? David Biello reports
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The Jellyfish Menace from 2009-11-19T20:00:08
Are humans making the oceans fit only for jellyfish? David Biello reports
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Are Algae Mass Murderers? from 2009-11-13T11:30:08
A new theory suggests that algae might be to blame for the Earth's greatest mass extinctions. David Biello reports
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Can the World's Most Polluted Places Ever Be Cleaned? from 2009-10-29T11:00:08
From phasing out leaded gasoline to minimizing mercury poisoning, the answer appears to be yes. Christie Nicholson reports, with research, reporting and writing by David Biello
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How City Noise Is Reshaping Birdsong from 2009-10-22T17:00:08
Urban bird dwellers change their song over time to help the them be heard over the big city noises. David Biello reports
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Sunny Germans Triumph in U.S. Solar Decathlon from 2009-10-16T15:00:08
The European country--not known for its abundant sunshine--has become the world leader in solar know-how. David Biello reports
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Linked Challenges: Climate Change and Energy Use from 2009-09-24T21:22:08
Are national governments prepared to offer more than hot air on climate change in Copenhagen this December? David Biello reports
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How to Stop the Ongoing Loss of Species from 2009-09-18T09:04:08
Can the world tackle poverty and the biodiversity crisis at the same time? It'd better, David Biello reports
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Climate Forecasts for All from 2009-09-14T00:00:08
International agencies are coming together to provide climate forecasting to countries without it, particularly because they may be hardest hit. David Biello reports
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Laughing Gas No Laughing Matter in Atmosphere from 2009-08-27T18:00:08
Nitrous oxide is damaging the ozone layer and the climate. David Biello reports.
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Plastic Not Fantastic... in the Ocean from 2009-08-21T12:00:08
New research shows that some plastics may be leaching toxic chemicals into seawater. David Biello reports
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Does Banning Plastic Bags Work? from 2009-08-13T17:00:08
One year later, plastic bag use is down--but by no means gone--in China. David Biello reports.
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Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Shrinks from 2009-07-27T12:00:08
The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium reports that the dead zone in the Gulf is much smaller this year than expected. Christie Nicholson reports
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The Future of Farming from 2009-07-21T00:00:08
Intensive farming not only degrades our soils, but it also contributes to climate change. David Biello reports
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El Nino Has Arrived from 2009-07-10T10:00:08
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration officially announced that we will experience the El Nino phenomenon this year through to 2010. Christie Nicholson reports
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Can America's Trains Go High-Speed? from 2009-06-25T14:00:08
The government is pushing for it, but are high speed trains even possible in the U.S.? David Biello reports
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Getting to the Core of Twisters from 2009-06-23T13:00:08
In VORTEX2, the largest scientific study of tornadoes, scientists are trying to understand just what causes a twister to form. It's more complicated than you might think. Christie Nicholson reports
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The Dirt on Biofuels from 2009-06-18T00:00:08
Are biofuels going to play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions? David Biello reports.
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Is Organic Really Better? from 2009-05-28T14:00:08
Is organic better for you and the environment? David Biello reports
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Solar Forecasts and Climate Change from 2009-05-22T15:00:08
What is the link between solar activity and global warming? David Biello reports
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Tuning Up Car Engines from 2009-05-14T18:00:08
There is a host of existing technologies that could radically improve the internal combustion engines that power our cars. David Biello reports
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Can Trees Save Us from Climate Change? from 2009-04-24T11:00:08
Trees and other plants suck up carbon dioxide, so we might think planting forests will halt global warming. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. David Biello reports
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Can Genetically Modified Crops Feed the World? from 2009-04-16T11:00:08
Genetic modification has been touted as a solution to hunger, but does it really boost yields? David Biello reports
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Turning Coal to Liquid Fuel from 2009-03-26T19:00:08
The U.S.--and the world--has an abundant supply of coal. So does it make sense to turn it into a replacement for oil? David Biello reports
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Land under Water from 2009-03-19T18:00:08
Sea level rise looks likely to come faster--and be worse--than even scientists anticipated. David Biello reports
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Electric Cars and Peak Lithium from 2009-03-12T16:00:08
What are the environmental challenges of electric cars? David Biello reports
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The Great Garbage Patch from 2009-02-26T11:00:08
Much of our plastic ends up floating in the North Pacific
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A "Green" New Deal from 2009-02-19T16:00:08
Is environmental improvement the key to economic recovery?
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Waste Not, Want Not: Energy via the Smart Grid from 2009-02-12T00:00:08
Simply using instead of losing energy, the U.S.--and the world--could power its way out of crisis. David Biello reports
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Forget Nuclear Fission, How about Fusion? from 2009-01-29T13:00:08
Imitating the sun remains an elusive goal for energy researchers. David Biello reports
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Coldest Continent Warming, Too from 2009-01-23T11:00:08
Despite cooling in some regions, overall Antarctic temperatures are increasing. David Biello reports
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To Dump (in the Lake) or Not to Dump from 2009-01-15T17:00:08
That is the question facing the U.S. Supreme Court in a case on the waste from mining. David Biello reports
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The Future of Lighting Is Already on Your Christmas Tree from 2008-12-24T12:00:08
Light-emitting diodes are beginning to replace the old-fashioned light bulb as well as newer compact fluorescent models. David Biello reports.
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Santa in Danger: Polar Meltdown from 2008-12-11T13:00:08
The ice is melting across the Arctic—and Antarctica is starting to thaw, too. David Biello reports
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Planes, Trains and Automobiles from 2008-11-25T17:00:08
What's the best way to get home for the holidays?
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Wine Made from Tiger Bones from 2008-11-20T13:00:08
Traditional Chinese medicine could eliminate the big striped cats. David Biello reports
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Is a Global Recession Good for the Environment? from 2008-11-13T15:00:08
Seems like when the economy's bad, the environment improves, but history shows otherwise
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Chocolate: Treat or Trick? from 2008-10-30T13:30:08
There is an environmental price for our love of chocolate on Halloween, but it may not be what you think
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Is BPA Bad for You? from 2008-10-23T00:00:08
Bisphenol A, a common compound found in many plastics, has been listed as a toxic substance in Canada but is still deemed safe in the U.S.
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How Toxic Is Your iPod? from 2008-10-15T03:30:08
What is the environmental impact of the Apple products you throw away?
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