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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

World

In India, Bucking The 'Revolution' By Going Organic

When the modern, chemical-reliant system of farming — the so-called Green Revolution of the 1960s and '70s — swept across India's Punjab region, farmers abandoned traditional methods for synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and high-yield seeds. Now, an increasing number of Indian farmers are switching to organic methods.

In India, Bucking The 'Revolution' By Going Organic

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Water Wars Out West: Keep What You Catch!

Colorado recently made it legal for some homeowners to capture and collect the raindrops and snowflakes that fall on their roofs. That had been considered stealing because the water would flow into a stream or aquifer, where it belonged to someone else.

Water Wars Out West: Keep What You Catch!

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'Hurricane Highway' Islands: Rebuild Or Retreat?

The Atlantic hurricane season begins Monday, and people in some coastal areas are still rebuilding homes damaged last year. It's become routine to rebuild at almost any cost, in even the most vulnerable areas. But that hasn't always been the case.

'Hurricane Highway' Islands: Rebuild Or Retreat?

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Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets

Stimulus Money Put To Work At Superfund Sites

More than $600 million will be spent to aid the cleanup of Superfund sites across the country. The Environmental Protection Agency hopes the cash injections in the projects not only will accelerate recovery of the land, but also will create jobs.

Stimulus Money Put To Work At Superfund Sites

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Exploring Shale: The Quest For Natural Gas

Face-Off Over 'Fracking': Water Battle Brews On Hill

Environmentalists and the natural gas industry are getting ready for a battle in Congress over "fracking," which involves injecting water and chemicals underground to pry out gas. Environmentalists want the federal government to regulate the practice because, in some cases, fracking may be harming nearby water wells.

Face-Off Over 'Fracking': Water Battle Brews On Hill

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Without Meters, Fresno Water Beyond Measure

California is tight on water, but you can't control what you can't measure — and Fresno has no meters. Perhaps that's why residents of the city use nearly three times as much water as the national average — more even than Las Vegas.

Without Meters, Fresno Water Beyond Measure

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A California Town Squeezes Water From A Drought

When Bolinas, Calif., nearly ran out of water, the town came up with a plan — cut household usage to 150 gallons per day, half the average U.S. home use. The whole town pitched in, including the kids. Late rains saved the water supply, but it was only a reprieve.

A California Town Squeezes Water From A Drought

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Interviews

Will Food Shortages Reshape The World Again?

Food shortages have doomed civilizations for millennia. Lester Brown, founder and president of the Earth Policy Institute, argues that environmental degradation could lead to devastating food shortages today, despite advanced farm technology and genetically engineered crops.

Will Food Shortages Reshape The World Again?

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Native Plants Bring Wildlife To The Garden

Many ornamental plants common to American yards are exotic species that local bugs haven't evolved to munch on. In his book Bringing Nature Home, entomologist Doug Tallamy encourages gardeners to invite bugs, birds and other wildlife back by planting native species.

Native Plants Bring Wildlife To The Garden

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Research News

Concrete And Global Warming: A Mixed Bag

Concrete may be responsible for as much as five percent of the global carbon footprint, taking into account the energy required to make it and the CO2 emitted by the kilning process. But a new study by engineer Liv Haselbach finds that concrete may also be an important CO2 sink.

Concrete And Global Warming: A Mixed Bag

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Climate Change Bill Heads For House Vote

The Waxman-Markey bill sets ambitious targets for curbing greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade system. But some critics say the proposal could actually encourage pollution.

Climate Change Bill Heads For House Vote

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House Panel Approves Climate Change Bill

Congress took a big step toward passing a climate change bill Thursday night. A House committee approved a sweeping measure that would reduce greenhouse gas pollution 17 percent by the year 2020. It would also promote the production of a lot more electricity from renewable power — like wind and solar.

House Panel Approves Climate Change Bill

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National

Backyard Coops Make Chicks Chic

Chickens aren't just for farms anymore. Urban hens are now hip. Across the country, city dwellers — attracted by the idea of fresh eggs, a new hobby or even unique pets — are keeping flocks.

Backyard Coops Make Chicks Chic

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Hurricane Forecast Predicts Slightly Milder Season

Government forecasters say this year's Atlantic hurricane season will probably be quieter than last year's. The 2008 season included eight hurricanes, five of which were major storms. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects no more than three major storms.

Hurricane Forecast Predicts Slightly Milder Season

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