Energy

Ecuador's Oil Bust Draws Parallels To 1990s Financial Crisis

4:37pm November 25, 2015

by Kirk Siegler

Ecuador's economy is faltering thanks to a year of record low oil prices and fears of a "godzilla" El Niño forming in the Pacific Ocean. The situation is drawing bizarre parallels to the last major financial crisis to hit the small South American country in the late 1990s.

Plunging Oil Prices Force Producers To Lay Off Skilled Workers

4:15pm November 25, 2015

by Andrew Schneider

Gasoline prices have been plunging this fall, which is great for consumers. But it has been very hard on oil producers, who have been laying off legions of skilled workers. To hang on to their key employees, some companies are offering unpaid sabbaticals or trimming pay across the board to reduce labor costs without layoffs. But for many employers, times are so hard that they have no choice but to keep cutting employee ranks.

Economy

Low Energy Prices Force More Northeast Nuclear Power Plants To Shut Down

5:25am November 25, 2015

by David Sommerstein

The actions raise questions about nuclear's future in the U.S., including its role in reducing climate change. It's left the rural community that's home to one of the plants reeling.

Workers install a solar farm outside Sacramento, Calif. The state aims to attain half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

California, An Environmental Leader, Eyes A Key Role In Climate Talks

3:51pm November 24, 2015

by Lauren Sommer

World leaders are set to meet in Paris, trying to agree on how to combat climate change. Also attending will be California Gov. Jerry Brown, who is spearheading his own international climate movement.

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The Beijing Environment Exchange, one of seven emissions trading pilot programs in China, may be part of a nationwide carbon market by as early as 2017.

China Plans To Create A Nationwide Carbon Market By 2017

3:50pm November 24, 2015

by Anthony Kuhn

China is building what could be the world's largest carbon market. Pilot programs are helping to lower emissions. But this is mostly due to slowing growth and the shift away from manufacturing.

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Police In Colorado Crack Down On Diesel Truck Owners For 'Rolling Coal'

6:57pm November 23, 2015

by Stephanie Paige Ogburn

Diesel trucks used to be known for belching black, polluting exhaust. Manufacturers have worked to shed that image with cleaner engines. A small group of diesel owners goes in the opposite direction.

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U.N. Chief: Paris Convention Represents 'Turning Point' In Climate Policy

5:17pm November 23, 2015

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, about why she's optimistic about the climate convention in Paris.

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World News

OECD Nations Agree To Cut Funding For Overseas Coal Power Plants

7:20pm November 18, 2015

by Camila Domonoske

Less than two weeks before climate talks in Paris, the U.S., Japan and other wealthy countries have reached agreement on one carbon-cutting issue: limiting financing for coal-burning power plants.

Paris Climate Conference Represents 'Best Chance' For World To Act

7:26pm November 17, 2015

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Todd Stern, the U.S. special envoy for climate change, ahead of the Paris Climate Conference. Negotiators from nearly 200 countries will discuss how to slow climate change.

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As Americans Shop For Thanksgiving, They're Finding Cheaper Prices

2:19pm November 17, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

Grocers faced higher wholesale prices for frozen turkeys this year. But because of fierce competition, they still cut their retail prices. Consumers are finding bargains on other holiday foods, too.