Mississippi River Basin Gets A Grade Of D+
A group that measures river basin health cited the poor condition of infrastructure such as locks and dams, among other things, on what it says is the world's fourth-largest watershed.
Environment
What's At The Edge Of A Cloud?
Scientists soared through clouds with a new instrument that takes 3-D pictures of the edge. What they learned about the size and density of droplets surprised them and might lead to better forecasts.
India Says It Will Lower Rate Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
India released its pledges ahead of December's global climate change summit in Paris. "We want to walk [a] cleaner energy path," says the country's environment minister.
EPA Sets New, Tougher Standards Aimed At Reducing Smog
The Environmental Protection Agency has released its much-anticipated ozone standards. The agency is setting more stringent thresholds for the particles that contribute to smog.
Volkswagen Faces Uphill Battle In Repairing Tarnished Reputation
Volkswagen faces two enormous repair jobs: fixing its polluting diesel cars and its battered reputation. Both may be much harder to fix than anything other scandal-plagued car companies have faced.
Study May Ease Drinking Water Worries About Fracking
A new study of drinking water in areas where fracking is used to extract natural gas found that contamination is not common and it probably did not come from deep underground.
Could A Mushroom Save The Honeybee?
The bees that pollinate crops are on the brink of collapse. One big reason why: a virus-carrying mite. Now, researchers think a rare fungi could boost bees' immune system and attack the mite itself.
Scientists Try Radical Move To Save Bull Trout From A Warming Climate
Bull trout are dwindling in Montana as their home waters warm and invasive fish devour them. Scooping up threatened fish and moving them higher up the mountain could backfire. Is the risk worth it?
New Dietary Guidelines Will Not Include Sustainability Goal
A government-appointed panel wanted the federal government's 2015 nutrition advice to consider a food's environmental impact. But the Cabinet secretaries with final authority say it won't happen.
Oregon Officials Replace Human Lookouts With Cameras To Spot Wildfires
Maintaining a fire tower lookout can be costly for wildfire agencies, but in the West, many towers are still staffed by seasonal employees. Now the Oregon Department of Forestry is phasing out human lookouts in exchange for highly sensitive cameras. These cameras have the potential to change the way fire departments detect fire nationwide.