Farmers are abandoning their land. Is that good for nature?
Traditional farmers around the world are walking away from millions of acres of land where they once grew crops or grazed animals. It's provoking mixed reactions.
environment
Biden sets 10-year deadline for U.S. cities to replace lead pipes nationwide
President Biden on Tuesday set a 10-year deadline for cities across the nation to replace their lead pipes, finalizing an approach aimed at ensuring that drinking water is safe for all Americans.
Why the next president's judicial appointments will impact climate action
The Supreme Court's recent term illustrates the judiciary's outsized role in government's ability to address climate change. The coming election could shape the judicial landscape for decades to come.
How to live without plastics for a month, according to the founder of a global movement
Plastic Free July is upon us! Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, founder of Plastic Free July, encourages people to take the challenge with friends, start small and keep a “plastic-free kit” on hand.
On this unassuming trail near LA, bird watchers see something spectacular
At Bear Divide, just outside Los Angeles, you can see a rare spectacle of nature. This is one of the only places in the western United States where you can see bird migration during daylight hours.
Their batteries hurt the environment, but EVs still beat gas cars. Here's why
NPR listeners wrote to ask whether the environmental harm from building EVs "cancels out" the cars' climate benefits. Experts say the answer is clear.
Who created the idea of litter – and why? Play this month's Throughline history quiz.
Where did the idea come from that individuals, rather than corporations, should keep the world litter-free? What history is hidden in the trash? Find out here.
'This is garbage': Step aside, influencers — we're now in the era of de-influencing
A new movement has emerged in recent years: de-influencing. What started as a backlash to advertising could now have a surprising and real-world impact on the environment.
U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry is giving up the job title — but not the fight
Outgoing climate envoy John Kerry talks about leaving the job, how another Donald Trump presidency could impact the fight against climate change, and how he remains hopeful.
A small fish is at the center of a big fight in the Chesapeake Bay
Recreational fishermen and conservation groups worry overfishing for menhaden threatens the Chesapeake Bay. Industry says current data doesn't support shutting down the more than century-old fishery.