News & Commentary

So You Want a Pet Squirrel Monkey . . .

February 3, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesJason Bittel

Squirrel monkeys must contend with habitat loss, decreasing genetic diversity, and the curse of being cute.

Of Monkeys, Men, and Protozoans

January 28, 2016 Latest NewsInternationalJason Bittel

A recent study finds a link between deforestation and risk of monkey-transmitted malaria.

Watered Down

January 26, 2016 Latest NewsFlintBrian Palmer

Flint made many mistakes, but its haphazard lead monitoring system was the worst of them.

As India Goes, So Goes Civilization

January 22, 2016 Latest NewsIndiaBrian Palmer

How India builds its energy grid could decide the fate of humanity. Maybe we should help the country out.

2015 Was the Hottest Year on…zzzz

January 20, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Heat records are no longer newsworthy. Uh-oh.

It’s the End of the Beginning of the End for U.S. Coal

January 15, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

The government has just suspended new coal leases on federal land. The coal industry may never recover.

State of the Climate

January 13, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesClara Chaisson

President Obama came out strong for climate action in his final SOTU last night. Here’s how the climate fared in his seven previous such speeches.

Save the Forests or the Trees?

January 7, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Forest conservation is crucial to climate change mitigation. But do we have any idea how to do it?

What to Watch for in 2016

January 6, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

The new year offers some interesting environmental subplots.

For the Love of Monkeys, Save Pandas

January 5, 2016 Latest NewsChinaJason Bittel

A new study shows that protecting pandas can help save snub-nosed monkeys from extinction.

Good (and Bad) Tidings

December 30, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesDavid Helvarg

Here was some of the big news coming in from the big blue sea in 2015.

The Most Eye-Opening Stories of 2015

December 28, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesClara Chaisson

Ten environmental visuals from this year that deserve another look.

The Christmas Crab Massacre

December 24, 2015 Latest NewsInternationalJason Bittel

Ants are killing Christmas Island’s iconic red crabs by the millions. Could tiny wasps save the day?

Home Invasion

December 21, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesAlisa Opar

Forget cockroaches—around 100 species of bugs are crawling around our houses (and faces).

Can Congress Stop the Climate Change Deal?

December 21, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Here are the Senate’s options for trying to muck up the international agreement made in Paris.

Slip-sliding Away

December 18, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaAlisa Opar

Heavy El Niño rains could trigger mudslides in California this winter. These scientists are trying to figure out the whens and wheres.

All’s Not Well

December 17, 2015 Latest NewsNorth DakotaSusan Cosier

North Dakota’s oil and gas boom is scaring away grassland birds.

Things Are Looking Up

December 17, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

The Department of Energy just announced what may be the most significant efficiency rule ever—and one that businesses can get behind.

We Have an Agreement

December 12, 2015 Latest NewsInternationalBrian Palmer

Negotiators in Paris have signed a historic and comprehensive deal to address climate change.

Step Aside, Gentlemen

December 10, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesPerrin Ireland, Brian Palmer

Women from around the world gather in Paris to solve climate change.