Environment

Experts: Flight MH370 Debris Could Have Reached Western Indian Ocean

4:00pm July 30, 2015

by Scott Neuman

A scientist who studies ocean circulation patterns tells NPR that it's "highly likely" that floating wreckage from the airliner could have reached the island of Reunion near Madagascar.

A town in California's Central Valley plans to transform farmland into an eco-friendly residential community. An artist's rendering shows plans for Kings River Village in Reedley, Calif.

California's Drought Spurs Unexpected Effect: Eco-Friendly Development

7:56pm July 29, 2015

by Ezra David Romero

In the state's agricultural Central Valley, planning is under way to transform peach and plum fields into Kings River Village, a solar-powered community that will send wastewater back into an aquifer.

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Lake herring roe at the Dockside Fish Market in Grand Marais, Minn. Some workers at the market call it "Lake Superior Gold."

Europe's Taste For Caviar Is Putting Pressure On A Great Lakes Fish

7:56pm July 29, 2015

by Peter Payette

Scientists say lake herring, a key fish in Lake Superior's food web, is suffering because of mild winters and Europe's appetite for roe. Some say the species may be at risk of "collapse."

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Crews Scramble To Contain 3,000-Acre Fire In Glacier National Park

6:31pm July 28, 2015

by Corin Cates-Carney

The more than 3,000-acre fire in Glacier National Park in Montana is forcing evacuations and road closures. The fire comes at peak tourist season for park area businesses.

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Gary Broomell and his daughter, Debbie, pose behind a sign on their ranch in San Diego County. Their family has been growing citrus for generations, but lately, it's been hard staying in the black growing oranges, so they started a vineyard a few years ag

Squeezed By Drought, California Farmers Switch To Less Thirsty Crops

7:41am July 28, 2015

by Lesley McClurg

Water scarcity is leading farmers away from planting staples and towards planting higher-value, lower-water specialty crops. Think wine grapes and pomegranates instead of citrus and avocados.

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The most visible parts of the Fish Creek Fire — shown here on June 21 — flamed out more than a week ago. But the fire continues underground, burning hidden layers of organic material that never decomposed.

Beneath Alaskan Wildfires, A Hidden Threat: Long-Frozen Carbon's Thaw

7:38pm July 27, 2015

by Nathan Rott

As millions of acres of forests burn across the state this summer, there's growing concern about what impact that might have on permafrost — and how melting permafrost might affect climate change.

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Almond orchards across California are dealing with trees showing signs of stress from the drought, such as smaller nuts and salt-burned leaves.

Salt Is Slowly Crippling California's Almond Industry

4:48pm July 27, 2015

by Ezra David Romero

California's ongoing drought has forced many almond growers to use groundwater on the thirsty crop. The problem: That water is high in salt, and it's killing almond trees.

As Lightning Strikes Spike, Myth-Busting Often Means Safety

9:42pm July 25, 2015

by Jeff Brady

Deaths from lightning strikes are up sharply this year, according to the National Weather Service. Here are some myths about lightning, or avoiding it, and tips on how to actually stay safe.

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Retracing Ralph Waldo Emerson's Steps In A Now 'Unchanged Eden'

8:22pm July 24, 2015

by Brian Mann

A century and a half ago, the poet and philosopher headed to New York's Adirondack Mountains with some notable pals. Today, we follow his journey with a new crew, the help of a painting and a book.

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Amid Stark Realities, How Do Climate Scientists 'Stay Positive?'

7:27pm July 22, 2015

NPR's Melissa Block speaks with John H. Richardson about his recent Esquire piece, "When the End of Human Civilization Is Your Day Job."

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