Scientific American Special Editions


March 2009
 

Features


Top 10 Myths about Sustainability
Even advocates for more responsible, environmentally benign ways of life harbor misunderstandings of what "sustainability" is all about
By Michael D. Lemonick

How Business Can Influence Climate Policy
Businesses can influence government action on climate in many ways—as long as they start by building their own environmental credibility
By Auden Schendler

Obama's Climate Challenge: Winning the Carbon Game
How Obama and his team can pass climate legislation and reach an international accord by December 2009
By Chris Mooney

The Ogallala Aquifer: Saving a Vital U.S. Water Source
The massive underground water source feeds the middle third of the country but is disappearing fast. Can it be conserved?
By Jane Braxton Little

Giving the Power Grid Some Backbone
The U.S. needs a high-voltage transmission system to deliver plentiful energy from wind and sunshine to power-hungry cities. At least one plan has emerged
By Matthew L. Wald

Polar Meltdown Triggers International Arctic Landgrab
Nations scramble to claim their share of the petroleum riches trapped deep within the Arctic seabed as global warming loosens that ocean's icy grip on its bounty
By Jessa Gamble

The Next Generation of Biofuels
Companies are poised to go commercial with gasoline substitutes made from grass, algae and the ultimate source: engineered microorganisms
By Melinda Wenner

Online Exclusives

In-Depth Report
The Future of Alternative Energy
Geothermal, solar thermal, and even nuclear power could provide alternatives to today's carbon-based fuel sources

60-Second Solar
Introducing 60-Second Solar
A family installs panels on its roof

In-Depth Report
News from AAAS
What happened at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's 2009 meeting in Chicago--from climate change to the search for life on other planets

Can Geothermal Power Compete with Coal on Price?
An investment bank report says geothermal energy is now cheaper per kilowatt-hour than coal-derived power. But there are lots of caveats

 



Editor's Pick

  • Adapting to the Freshwater CrisisForward-thinking experts are getting a better handle on the growing global water shortage and coming up with innovative approaches to ensuring the security, safety and sustainability of this resource

Newsletter

Weekly Review Newsletter

Get weekly coverage delivered to your inbox


 Podcasts

  • 60-Second Earth     RSS  · iTunes The Jellyfish Menace
    click to enable

    Download

  • 60-Second Science     RSS  · iTunes Plants Share Light If Neighbor Is Related
    click to enable

    Download





ADVERTISEMENT
 
 


© 1996-2009 Scientific American Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
ADVERTISEMENT