Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Is Enacted In California
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed SB 270, the first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags in the U.S. It requires a 10-cent fee for the use of compostable or paper bags.
Environment
Aral Sea's Eastern Basin Has Dried Out, NASA Photos Show
"For the first time in modern history, the eastern basin of the South Aral Sea has completely dried," NASA says, citing satellite photos from 2000 and 2014.
Environment Ranks Low Among Voter Concerns
It's been a big year for environmental news in North Carolina. First there was a major coal ash spill into the Dan River in February that raised concerns about water quality.
GMO Wheat Investigation Closed, But Another One Opens
Investigators from the U.S. Department of Agriculture say they cannot figure out how genetically modified wheat got into an Oregon field. Now GM wheat has been found growing in Montana, too.
Florida's Manatees: Big, Beloved And Bitterly Contested
In one coastal community, some residents are trying to get manatees off the endangered species list. But manatee advocates say the sea cows, threatened by ecotourism, need more protection, not less.
Before You Take A Bite Of That Mushroom, Consider This
Guess what scientists found lurking inside a common-looking packet of supermarket porcini? Three entirely new species of fungi. That's what happens when you sequence the DNA of your dinner.
Your Guide To Dining From The Dump
Maximus Thaler really puts his money (or, at least, his morals) where his mouth is when it comes to food waste. He's a dumpster diver. And he's happy to share tips for foraging from trash bins safely.
All Eyes On Obama, World Leaders At Climate Change Summit
More than 120 leaders are expected to attend the one-day summit sponsored by the United Nations. They have been instructed to arrive Tuesday with "bold ideas" to slow the rise in global temperatures.
Obama Requests All Nations Participate In Climate Treaty
Heads of state from well over 100 countries came to New York City this week to find ways to slow climate change. The summit is a dry run for a meeting next year to draft a treaty on global warming.
Can Climate Legislation Pass In Washington's Political Environment?
Audie Cornish talks to U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz the morning after President Obama addressed the U.N. Climate Summit.