Environment

Chicago's North Broadway Street has been undergoing water main upgrades in the past few weeks, with more work scheduled this year. The upgrades are part of the city's 10-year plan to replace 900 miles of water pipes.

Chicago's Upgrades To Aging Water Lines May Disturb Lead Pipes

9:22am April 14, 2016

by Cheryl Corley

The city's 10-year plan to replace 900 miles of old pipes has been met with praise and criticism — and a lawsuit from residents who say the pipe work has raised lead levels in their drinking water.

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How Do We Get Our Drinking Water In The U.S.?

4:59am April 14, 2016

by Zhai Yun Tan

Clean, safe drinking water is essential to life. To get that water, however, requires a sludge of chemicals, countless testings — and different treatment processes depending on where you live.

Mexico City's already congested subway has become even more crowded since the government has limited the number of cars on the street to combat smog.

In Mexico City, The Return Of Terrible Smog

9:02pm April 13, 2016

by Carrie Kahn

Mexico City has its worst smog in more than a decade. The government has ordered cars off the street one day a week, but city planners say that isn't a long-term solution.

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At the Iowa State University Beef Nutrition Farm, the cattle eat carefully formulated rations. Researchers there are trying to test new types of animal feed.

Taking Cues From Human Nutrition To Reduce Antibiotic Use In Livestock

7:38pm April 13, 2016

by Amy Mayer

Researchers are trying to figure out whether probiotics — the stuff we like to eat in yogurt to keep our guts healthy — could also help pigs, cows and chickens thrive.

AccuWeather Launches '90-Day Forecast' To Help You Plan Ahead

5:48pm April 13, 2016

AccuWeather launched its "90-Day Forecast" this week, which the company describes as a "valuable tool for planning further in advance," including activities like vacations, weddings, baseball games, outdoor concerts and more. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with AccuWeather Founder and President Joel Myers.

Jeff Hebert, who is leading New Orleans' efforts to adapt to rising sea levels, stands at the site of the future Mirabeau Water Garden, a federally funded project designed to absorb water in residential Gentilly.

Adapting To A More Extreme Climate, Coastal Cities Get Creative

4:12pm April 13, 2016

In preparation for sea level rise, vulnerable cities are building infrastructure to protect themselves. But as a look at New Orleans and Philadelphia shows, the strategies are unique to each city.

Flint residents, who have grown accustomed to using bottled water and avoiding the faucet, are now getting new instructions: Use more tap water.

Flint Water Recovery Lagging As Residents Don't Let Tainted Water Run

8:00pm April 12, 2016

by Laura Wagner

It may be an expensive answer but experts say if Flint, Mich., residents used more tap water, it would help flush lead-contaminated water from the system.

A bee gathers pollen from a park in Kensington, Md. With bee health in mind, home and garden products giant Ortho has announced it will phase out neonics, a class of pesticides, from its outdoor products.

Home And Garden Giant Ditches Class Of Pesticides That May Harm Bees

3:21pm April 12, 2016

by Allison Aubrey

Ortho is part of the Miracle-Gro family. The company says it decided to phase out neonics from its home and garden products after reviewing possible threats posed to bees and other pollinators.

U.S. Chief Climate Negotiator: 'Paris Wasn't The End, Paris Is The Start'

5:42pm April 11, 2016

Since the beginning of the Obama administration, Todd Stern has been the U.S. government's chief climate negotiator. He led the team in Paris that managed to get some 200 countries to agree to the most sweeping deal ever to limit global carbon emissions. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Stern about what's happened since Paris and his decision to step down from the job after seven years.

As we purchase more clothes, more waste is accumulated. Some companies and grassroots organizations are looking to change that with new initiatives.

What Happens When Fashion Becomes Fast, Disposable And Cheap?

1:14pm April 10, 2016

by Zhai Yun Tan

Fashion styles are churned out more frequently than ever, giving us more opportunities to buy. But this "fast fashion" trend increases trash — and some groups are trying to slow down the cycle.