Environment

Judge Denies BP's Attempt To Avoid Up To $18 Billion In Fines

12:20pm November 14, 2014

by Bill Chappell

Last month, the company asked the judge to reconsider a ruling that could trigger fines under the Clean Water Act. And on Thursday, he said no. The company says it will appeal.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Obama, seen here during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, announced pledges to reduce greenhouse gases.

China And U.S., Titans Of Carbon Pollution, Move To Cut Gases

12:30pm November 13, 2014

by Bill Chappell

China and the U.S. account for more than a third of greenhouse gases — making it vital that any broad climate plans include the pair.

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Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., chair of the Senate energy committee, spoke Wednesday about getting congressional approval for the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline. With her is Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a member of the committee.

Congress Will Vote On Keystone XL Pipeline, With An Eye On Louisiana

11:19am November 13, 2014

by Bill Chappell

The two bills' sponsors — Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La. — are heading toward a runoff election next month.

Climate Change Deal Requires U.S., China To Overhaul Energy Use

7:54am November 13, 2014

by Christopher Joyce

Experts who've parsed the numbers offered by the two countries say it's not enough to keep climate from overheating seriously. It is seen as a benchmark by which governments can be held accountable.

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These farmers grow maize, onions and other vegetables in a city in Ghana. They use groundwater to irrigate their crops.

40 Percent Of The World's Cropland Is In Or Near Cities

6:54pm November 12, 2014

by Eliza Barclay

Just how much of the world's cropland can we really call urban? That's been a big mystery until now.

For U.S.-China Deal On Greenhouse Gases, The Devil Is In The Details

5:03pm November 12, 2014

by Christopher Joyce

Scientists say a new deal between the U.S. and China on greenhouse gases is a positive move toward new models for controlling emissions, but that it won't keep the Earth from dangerous levels of warming.

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Fishermen Ed Stewart (left) and Tannis Goodsen mend groundfishing nets on Merrill Wharf, in Portland, Maine, last November.

Regulators Ban Cod Fishing In Gulf Of Maine As Stocks Dwindle

2:13pm November 12, 2014

by Anne Mostue

The federal government is shutting down cod fishing in the Gulf of Maine for the next six months. But fishermen, who now face an uncertain future, dispute the government's cod counts.

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China, U.S. Pledge To Limit Greenhouse Gases

9:36am November 12, 2014

by Scott Horsley

President Obama and China's Xi Jinping have concluded their summit in Beijing. Their joint announcement on climate is designed to set an example for other countries in combating climate change.

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Chief warden Emmanuel de Merode calls Virunga "the greatest park on Earth" for its remarkable diversity, including rare mountain gorillas.

How Africa's Oldest National Park Can Benefit Both Gorillas And Locals

7:42pm November 07, 2014

by Tanya Basu

Virunga, a new documentary on the Congolese park, premieres Friday on Netflix. We spoke to the chief warden about endangered mountain gorillas, oil speculators and the power of tourism.

What Does A GOP Majority Mean For Environmental Policy?

6:33pm November 06, 2014

Melissa Block talks to New York Times reporter Coral Davenport about the impact of a GOP majority Congress on environmental policies.

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