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Environment 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.

Environment

Carefully Deconstructing Dams in Washington State.

Scientists are trying to figure out how best to remove two large, century-old dams on the Elwha River in Washington state. Removing a dam, especially a big one, is not simple. It can release huge amounts of sediment and actually worsen the river's ecology. These are the largest dams ever slated for removal in the United States.

Carefully Deconstructing Dams in Washington State.

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Global Warming

Atlantic Ocean's 'Heat Engine' Chills Down

New research suggests something's happening to the so-called "conveyer belt" in the Atlantic Ocean -- the huge circulation system that takes warm waters from the south Atlantic and dumps them off the coast of Europe, keeping northern Europe relatively warm. Some believe global warming may be affecting this heat engine, but others are skeptical, given how complex the ocean can be. The debate is part of a larger effort by scientists to detect climate changes with sketchy data.

Atlantic Ocean's 'Heat Engine' Chills Down

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Scientists Explore Cause of Dolphin Deaths

Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are trying to figure out what's been causing deaths of bottlenose dolphins over the last two decades. Elizabeth Shogren joins the scientists on an expedition near Charleston, S.C.

Scientists Explore Cause of Dolphin Deaths

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Erosion Jeopardizes Homes, Artifacts in Alaska

Villages along the northwestern Alaskan coast are facing widespread erosion and flooding that not only threatens homes, but also artifacts and archeaological treasures clustered near the beach. From Alaska Public Radio Network, Gabriel Spitzer reports on efforts to save ancient dwelling places and artifacts.

Erosion Jeopardizes Homes, Artifacts in Alaska

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Katrina & Beyond

Busiest Hurricane Season Ends with New Storm

Wednesday marks the end of the busiest Atlantic hurricane season on record. Weather forecasters added one more storm to the list Tuesday: Tropical Storm Epsilon, which is moving over the central Atlantic. It is the 26th named storm of the season.

Busiest Hurricane Season Ends with New Storm

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News

Midwest Walloped by Big Winter Storm

Alex Chadwick speaks with Jason DeRose, reporting from Chicago about the winter storm that's struck the American Midwest. The huge storm system has paralyzed some regions with ice and snow, and is headed east.

Midwest Walloped by Big Winter Storm

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Technology

Katrina, Rita Prompt Push for Better Forecasting

After hurricanes Katrina and Rita, scientists and weather forecasters are looking at ways to better predict such natural catastrophes. Ed Gordon talks with William Smith, a professor in the Center for Atmospheric Sciences at Hampton University's School of Science, about a device that might better predict the path and speed of a hurricane.

Katrina, Rita Prompt Push for Better Forecasting

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Decline Seen in Sacramento River's Fish Population

California's Sacramento River Delta's expansive system of pumps and irrigation canals is responsible for helping the San Joaquin Valley be one of the most fruitful agricultural regions in the world. But increased farming has diverted more and more water out of the Delta, and that may be threatening fish.

Decline Seen in Sacramento River's Fish Population

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Water Supply Restored to Chinese City After Spill

Water has been restored to Harbin in northeast China, five days after a chemical plant accident polluted a river that runs past the city toward Russia. The toxic slick is expected to reach the Russian city of Khabarovsk in about two weeks.

Water Supply Restored to Chinese City After Spill

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Water Restored to Chinese City After Toxic Spill

The city of Harbin, China, has its water supply back after a major chemical spill. But the presence of benzene in Songhua River creates potential dangers. Sheilah Kast speaks with Rolf Halden, a professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Water Restored to Chinese City After Toxic Spill

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Spill May Have Long-Lasting Impact

There are many toxic chemicals in a 50-mile slick now moving down China's Songhua River, but benzene is the most abundant and may be the most dangerous. Problems from the spill are likely to persist for some time. John Nielsen reports.

Spill May Have Long-Lasting Impact

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