Environment

At Climate Meeting, Tensions Rise Between Rich And Poor Nations

6:57pm November 20, 2013

At the United Nations climate talks in Warsaw, Poland, conflict between rich and poor nations is mounting. The developing world wants large sums of money to help them adapt to climate change. The U.S. and Europe say they're doing what they can to help but times are tough.

Queue Listen Now

Is Running Your Car On Rubbish The Future Of Fuels?

8:07pm November 15, 2013

by Elizabeth Shogren

The EPA proposed a new standard on Friday for how much biofuel must be mixed into the nation's gasoline. The portion of vehicle fuel that comes from plants has increased dramatically over recent years to about 10 percent. But most of it comes from corn. Congress hoped that, by now, a billion gallons would be coming from advanced biofuels, which have much smaller greenhouse gas footprints. That hasn't happened. But the nascent cellulosic fuel industry says don't count it out. Several plants are on the verge of opening and more will be on the way.

Queue Listen Now

Farm Bill Cuts Might Cut Conservation, Too

7:29pm November 14, 2013

by Frank Morris

Farm programs will likely cost the government less under any new farm bill, but the policy could be bad for the environment. Both House and Senate versions would end a big subsidy, called direct payments, that has paid money to land owners — whether they needed it or not — if they complied with certain conservation regulations. The two chambers' versions of the bill differ on how, or even if, to incent farmers to take care of their land. But both versions would stop funding to keep at least five million acres of land out of production.

Queue Listen Now

What's The Most Important Thing Food Labels Should Tell Us?

7:29pm November 14, 2013

by Dan Charles

Food labels have become battlegrounds. Government regulators, companies and food movement activists have been fighting over what belongs on the label. (GMOs? Trans fats? Claims that bran prevents heart disease?) We asked four big thinkers for their dream food label.

Queue Listen Now

Native Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout swim in the cool waters of the Flathead River near Glacier National Park, Montana.

As Climate Warms American West, Iconic Trout In Jeopardy

6:53am November 14, 2013

by Christopher Joyce

In the northern Rockies of Montana, wildlife is a part of daily conversation. Fishing alone generates $250 million a year, and the pursuit of trout brings in most of that money. But record droughts and declining snowpack mean streams are becoming less habitable for this revered fish.

Queue Listen Now

Key West Awash With Plans For Rising Sea Level

6:00pm November 12, 2013

by Greg Allen

New ordinances adopted in the South Florida city require that new homes feature freshwater cisterns and be built higher than the current flood plain level. Says Key West's planning director, "We are, in all senses of the word, vulnerable to sea level rise."

Queue Listen Now

This map from the NOAA Environmental Visualization Laboratory shows the amount of heat energy available to Typhoon Haiyan between Oct. 28 and Nov. 3. Darker purple indicates more available energy. Typhoons gain their strength by drawing heat out of the oc

Why Typhoon Haiyan Caused So Much Damage

7:13pm November 11, 2013

by Richard Harris

Scientists say Typhoon Haiyan is one of the strongest ever recorded, though limited measurements may prevent them from declaring it as the record holder. Still, the storm was devastating: "We had a triple whammy of surge, very high winds and strong rainfall," says one climate scientist.

Queue Listen Now

Environment

How An Aqueduct Turned Los Angeles Into A 'Garden Of Eden'

12:36pm November 04, 2013

by NPR Staff

The pipeline that brings water out of California's Owens Valley to metropolitan Los Angeles turns 100 this month. The water wars it has spawned over the century still simmer, and the issues of water use, scarcity and stewardship are inextricable — if often invisible — to life in the city.

Queue Listen Now

Environment

Local Organizations Set the Bar High for Sustainability

3:33pm November 01, 2013

by Keri Brown

Several local businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals were honored this week for their exemplary contributions to sustainability in Forsyth County.

Queue Listen Now

A test field of sorghum outside Manhattan, Kan., planted by Kansas State University.

Heat, Drought Draw Farmers Back To Sorghum, The 'Camel Of Crops'

9:07pm October 31, 2013

by Dan Charles

Consumers in search of novelty are turning to once-obscure grains like quinoa, spelt and sorghum. But sorghum's great virtue for farmers is the fact that it can thrive with so little water.

Queue Listen Now