News & Commentary

The Biggest Threats to Biodiversity? Guns. Nets. Bulldozers.

September 1, 2016 Latest NewsInternationalJason Bittel

As the IUCN meets this week in Hawaii, a new report highlights the biggest threats to the planet's most endangered species.

When Invasive Species Strike the Third World, People Can Starve

August 24, 2016 Latest NewsInternationalJason Bittel

Exotic troublemakers have long been regarded as a “first-world problem,” but a recent study says more and more invasive species might soon creep into developing nations.

Why Aren’t We More Freaked Out About Louisiana?

August 24, 2016 Latest NewsLouisianaJeff Turrentine

Climate change is conditioning us to accept natural disasters as “the new normal.”

The Food That Once Saved Condors May Now Be Poisoning Them

August 19, 2016 Latest NewsCaliforniaJason Bittel

A new study finds that condors that dine on the bodies of marine mammals consume worrying levels of toxic chemicals such as DDT.

Thousands of Birds Migrate to the Arctic—Unfortunately, So Does Mercury

August 11, 2016 Latest NewsJason Bittel

How pollution from thousands of miles away finds its way into animals at the top of the world.

Can Rio Survive the Olympics?

August 4, 2016 Latest NewsBrazilJeff Turrentine

Only if it treats the games like a marathon—and not a 100-yard-dash.

Can Breaking Down Ethnic Barriers in a Tuna Fishery Prevent Accidental Shark Deaths?

August 3, 2016 Latest NewsHawaiiJason Bittel

From the mouths of sharks: Humans, please diversify your social circles.

Britain's New PM Just Sacked Its Climate Agency—What Now?

July 21, 2016 Latest NewsInternationalJeff Turrentine

On her very first day in office, Prime Minister Theresa May abolished the U.K.’s climate change department. Will the Brits keep the climate promises they made in Paris?

Alexander Camelton Gets Lots of Zoo Love, but It Could Be Curtains for His Wild Kin

July 18, 2016 Latest NewsInternationalJason Bittel

Only about 1,000 wild Bactrian camels remain in the deserts of China and Mongolia.

Can Pokémon GO Get Gamers to Care About Real Wildlife, Too?

July 14, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesJason Bittel

Heading outside to catch ’em all? These scientists will help you identify the other creatures you might find—y’know, IRL.

Airplanes vs. Bullet Trains: The Race Is On in Texas

July 13, 2016 Latest NewsTexasJeff Turrentine

Fifty years ago, Southwest Airlines revolutionized regional air travel. Now another Texas-based business is launching a counterrevolution on the ground—and the carbon savings could be huge.

Coal Is Literally Killing Us

June 30, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

A Harvard study says clean energy could save billions of dollars—and thousands of lives—every year.

Deadly Snake Rodeos: How Are They Still a Thing?

June 27, 2016 Latest NewsLouisianaJason Bittel

A Louisiana town recently hosted an event to slaughter its local snakes—and these festive ”roundups” are more common than you think.

How About We Just Leave Dory Alone?

June 17, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesJason Bittel

Sales of clown fish skyrocketed after "Saving Nemo." Will the same happen for blue tangs after the release of "Finding Dory"?

What Happens If We Add 10 Million Electric Cars to Our Roads—But Can’t Plug Them In?

June 17, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

Everybody’s excited about the coming EV revolution. But without the right infrastructure, it’ll never go anywhere.

Hey Congress, Don’t Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Invasive Species

June 9, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesSusan Cosier

A sneaky provision in this year’s defense act loosens regulations on ballast water—and all its stowaways. If it passes, the Great Lakes could suffer serious consequences.

There Is Such a Thing as Bad Press—Especially If You’re a Wolf

June 8, 2016 Latest NewsInternationalJason Bittel

In Spain, where conflicts between predators and livestock are fraught with emotion, no news is often good news for Iberian wolf conservation.

Guess Which State Towers Over All the Others on Wind Energy?

May 26, 2016 Latest NewsIowa, MidwestJeff Turrentine

If you want to know what the future of renewables looks like, look no further than Iowa.

You Have More Fingers on One Hand Than There Are Addaxes Left in the Wild

May 25, 2016 Latest NewsAfricaJason Bittel

A recent survey says just THREE of these African antelope remain.

If You Care About Kids, You Care About Climate

May 18, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

If we really want to protect our children, we’ll need to focus on the actual threats to their health and well-being—like drought, flooding, disease, and war.