Environment http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1025&ft=1&f=1025 Breaking news on the environment, climate change, pollution, and endangered species. Also featuring Climate Connections, a special series on climate change co-produced by NPR and National Geographic. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Wed, 22 May 2013 16:57:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Environment http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1025&ft=1&f=1025 Could African Crops Be Improved With Private Biotech Data? A plant scientist at Mars Inc. has appealed to the world's biggest life sciences companies to help him — by sharing what they already know about 100 crops that could provide better nutrition in Africa. But can the kings of agricultural intellectual property get onboard with open source agricultural information for Africa? Wed, 22 May 2013 16:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185854852/could-african-crops-be-improved-with-private-biotech-data?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185854852/could-african-crops-be-improved-with-private-biotech-data?ft=1&f=1025 A plant scientist at Mars Inc. has appealed to the world's biggest life sciences companies to help him — by sharing what they already know about 100 crops that could provide better nutrition in Africa. But can the kings of agricultural intellectual property get onboard with open source agricultural information for Africa?

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]]> How Genomics Solved The Mystery Of Ireland's Great Famine Although scientists have known that a funguslike organism caused the potato blight that triggered the Great Famine in Ireland in the 1840s, they didn't know which strain was the culprit. But they do now, thanks to the genes in some 19th century potato samples. Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185821964/how-genomics-solved-the-mystery-of-irelands-great-famine?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185821964/how-genomics-solved-the-mystery-of-irelands-great-famine?ft=1&f=1025 Although scientists have known that a funguslike organism caused the potato blight that triggered the Great Famine in Ireland in the 1840s, they didn't know which strain was the culprit. But they do now, thanks to the genes in some 19th century potato samples.

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]]> African Cities Test The Limits Of Living With Livestock Hipsters may just be discovering the joys of backyard chickens, but in African megacities, people have been bringing their animals into the slums with them for decades. That's creating a new ecosystem of animals and huge numbers of people living closely together like never before. Tue, 21 May 2013 16:26:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185763979/african-cities-test-the-limits-of-living-with-livestock?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185763979/african-cities-test-the-limits-of-living-with-livestock?ft=1&f=1025 Hipsters may just be discovering the joys of backyard chickens, but in African megacities, people have been bringing their animals into the slums with them for decades. That's creating a new ecosystem of animals and huge numbers of people living closely together like never before.

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]]> Vertical 'Pinkhouses:' The Future Of Urban Farming? Architects have come up with spectacular concepts for vertical farms that would grow crops in city skyscrapers. But many horticulturists think the future of vertical farming isn't in skyscrapers, but rather in large, indoor warehouses lit up magenta by superefficient LEDs. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:16:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185758529/vertical-pinkhouses-the-future-of-urban-farming?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185758529/vertical-pinkhouses-the-future-of-urban-farming?ft=1&f=1025 Architects have come up with spectacular concepts for vertical farms that would grow crops in city skyscrapers. But many horticulturists think the future of vertical farming isn't in skyscrapers, but rather in large, indoor warehouses lit up magenta by superefficient LEDs.

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]]> Storm Chasers Seek Thrills, But Also Chance To Warn Others When disaster strikes, our natural instinct is to take cover and seek shelter. But in severe weather, especially the type that breeds tornadoes like we saw in Oklahoma and parts of the Midwest this week, there are those who ride toward the storm. Tue, 21 May 2013 17:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185849061/storm-chasers-seek-thrills-but-also-chance-to-warn-others?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185849061/storm-chasers-seek-thrills-but-also-chance-to-warn-others?ft=1&f=1025 When disaster strikes, our natural instinct is to take cover and seek shelter. But in severe weather, especially the type that breeds tornadoes like we saw in Oklahoma and parts of the Midwest this week, there are those who ride toward the storm.

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]]> Measuring The Power Of Deadly Tornadoes Tornado strength is currently measured on what is called the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which gives the tornado a rating from 0 to 5 based on estimated wind speeds and the severity of the damage. Mon, 20 May 2013 18:37:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185610261/measuring-the-power-of-deadly-tornadoes?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185610261/measuring-the-power-of-deadly-tornadoes?ft=1&f=1025 Tornado strength is currently measured on what is called the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which gives the tornado a rating from 0 to 5 based on estimated wind speeds and the severity of the damage.

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]]> Forecasters Had Chance To Warn Moore, Okla., Before Tornado Melissa Block talks to Jon Hamilton about the science of tornadoes. Mon, 20 May 2013 20:12:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185631833/forecasters-had-chance-to-warn-moore-okla-before-tornado?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185631833/forecasters-had-chance-to-warn-moore-okla-before-tornado?ft=1&f=1025 Melissa Block talks to Jon Hamilton about the science of tornadoes.

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]]> Calif. Law To Require Ships To Cut Pollution California is about to become the first state to require shore power at its ports. A new law mandates at least half of a shipping line's fleet to shut down their diesel engines and plug into shore-side electric power when they unload their cargo. It's part of a larger effort to cut pollution at the state's busiest ports, but costs have been a sticking point. Mon, 20 May 2013 04:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185437447/calif-law-to-require-ships-to-cut-pollution?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185437447/calif-law-to-require-ships-to-cut-pollution?ft=1&f=1025 California is about to become the first state to require shore power at its ports. A new law mandates at least half of a shipping line's fleet to shut down their diesel engines and plug into shore-side electric power when they unload their cargo. It's part of a larger effort to cut pollution at the state's busiest ports, but costs have been a sticking point.

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]]> Impossible Choice Faces America's First 'Climate Refugees' The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the tiny town of Newtok, Alaska, could be completely underwater by 2017. Its 350 residents must relocate or stay to face the floods, but a move is easier said than done. Sat, 18 May 2013 16:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/185068648/impossible-choice-faces-americas-first-climate-refugees?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/185068648/impossible-choice-faces-americas-first-climate-refugees?ft=1&f=1025 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the tiny town of Newtok, Alaska, could be completely underwater by 2017. Its 350 residents must relocate or stay to face the floods, but a move is easier said than done.

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]]> Afghan Mineral Treasures Stay Buried, Hostages To Uncertainty Afghanistan is believed to be home to world-class mineral deposits, valued at up to $3 trillion and offering hope for the country's economic future. But in the current environment of uncertainty, investors are nervous and it could be many years before Afghanistan strikes pay dirt. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:13:53 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/18/184775139/Afghan-Mineral-Treasures-Stay-Buried-Hostage-To-Uncertainty?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/18/184775139/Afghan-Mineral-Treasures-Stay-Buried-Hostage-To-Uncertainty?ft=1&f=1025 Afghanistan is believed to be home to world-class mineral deposits, valued at up to $3 trillion and offering hope for the country's economic future. But in the current environment of uncertainty, investors are nervous and it could be many years before Afghanistan strikes pay dirt.

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]]> Not Your Grandpa's RV: This Roving Lab Tracks Air Pollution Atmospheric scientist Ira Leifer installed special air sensors on a camper, then drove from Florida to California, measuring methane levels all along the way. More than 6,000 readings later, he found some noticeable spikes, especially around petrochemical plants and urban areas like Los Angeles. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:13:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/184863769/not-your-grandpas-rv-this-roving-lab-tracks-air-pollution?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/184863769/not-your-grandpas-rv-this-roving-lab-tracks-air-pollution?ft=1&f=1025 Atmospheric scientist Ira Leifer installed special air sensors on a camper, then drove from Florida to California, measuring methane levels all along the way. More than 6,000 readings later, he found some noticeable spikes, especially around petrochemical plants and urban areas like Los Angeles.

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]]> Scientists Agree On Climate Change, Why Doesn't The Public? A new study confirms that the vast majority of scientists who research the climate accept that the planet is warming and human beings are largely responsible. Yet a large slice of the American public believes that scientists are deeply split about global warming. Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184845126&ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184845126&ft=1&f=1025 A new study confirms that the vast majority of scientists who research the climate accept that the planet is warming and human beings are largely responsible. Yet a large slice of the American public believes that scientists are deeply split about global warming.

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]]> How Can You Give A Community Better Health? Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. He hopes to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys." Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:46 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181691507/how-can-you-give-a-community-better-health?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181691507/how-can-you-give-a-community-better-health?ft=1&f=1025 Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. He hopes to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys."

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]]> When Is the Right Time To Give? Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn't go quite as expected — but that taught him a big lesson: Don't wait — give now.<strong> </strong> Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:46 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181685278/when-is-the-right-time-to-give?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181685278/when-is-the-right-time-to-give?ft=1&f=1025 Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn't go quite as expected — but that taught him a big lesson: Don't wait — give now.

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]]> Cape Cod Community To Vote On Status Of Wind Turbines In the Cape Cod community of Falmouth, voters will decide if two, town-owned wind turbines will be taken down. Dozens have complained of headaches, insomnia and other issues since the first turbine started spinning in 2010. Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184700636/cape-cod-community-to-vote-on-status-of-wind-turbines?ft=1&f=1025 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184700636/cape-cod-community-to-vote-on-status-of-wind-turbines?ft=1&f=1025 In the Cape Cod community of Falmouth, voters will decide if two, town-owned wind turbines will be taken down. Dozens have complained of headaches, insomnia and other issues since the first turbine started spinning in 2010.

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