Evolution
New Life Made with Custom Safeguards
A bacterium famous for food poisoning has its genetics altered to produce fuel or pharmaceuticals—and to keep it from escaping the lab
Stories by David Biello
The Sciences
Coral Reefs Show Remarkable Ability to Recover from Near Death
Scientists have identified key factors that enable corals to recover from bleaching events brought on by global warming
Sustainability
Cheap Oil Means Raise the Gas T-Word
Low oil prices present an opportunity to come to grips with our crumbling infrastructure and the cost of climate change. David Biello reports
Sustainability
Where in the World Are the Fossil Fuels That Cannot Be Burned to Restrain Global Warming?
A new analysis reveals the nations—U.S. included—that must sacrifice exploiting much of their carbon-based energy resources if they are serious about combating climate change...
Sustainability
Meet the (Newest Known) Beetles!
Researchers announced the discovery of 98 beetle species previously unknown to science. David Biello reports
Sustainability
Oil Spill Sullies World Heritage Site
The Sundarbans, part of the world's largest mangrove forest and stretching across India and Bangladesh, have been tarnished by a 350,000-liter oil spill. David Biello reports
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The Year in Energy and Environment: It Wasn't All Apocalyptic
‘Tis the season for year end lists. The problem is: news keeps happening. One of the members of this list only happened just last week.
Fracking Banned in New York
Fracking, as it looks across the New York State border, in Pennsylvania. Fracking has been banned in New York State since 2008. Then-Governor David Paterson imposed a moratorium on the controversial technique— which fractures shale rock using high pressure, specially treated water to release gas trapped inside—citing the need for further study of health and [...]..
Sustainability
The Real Outcome of Global Warming Talks in Lima: A Future for Coal
“There will be coal burning.” Negotiators from around the world produced a four-page climate-change accord (pdf) after some sleep-deprived haggling over the weekend in Lima, Peru, but the agreement could be summed up in those five words...
Sustainability
Plummeting Petroleum Price Gases Up Global Warming
Good news for gas and oil consumers can be bad news for the environment. David Biello reports
Sustainability
Fact or Fiction?: Geoengineering Can Solve Global Warming
Neither blocking sunlight nor capturing carbon can stop climate change
Sustainability
How the World Can Fight Global Warming No Matter What Happens in Lima
Imagine if the world’s two largest polluters unilaterally decide to cut emissions of carbon dioxide, the ubiquitous gas responsible for the bulk of global warming.
Sustainability
Movies Can Boost Solar Power
The pattern that stores a film on a Blu-ray disc also can help improve photovoltaics. David Biello reports
Sustainability
Cities to the Rescue
As nations dither on meaningful steps to combat climate change, localities are stepping in with their own measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
Can China Cut Coal?
On a visit to China a few years back, I asked a local official about pollution controls after enjoying my first sour, gritty taste of the country’s air.
Sustainability
Acid Maps Reveal Climate Change's Impact on the Oceans
Much of the change in climate change is happening to the ocean. It’s not just the extra heat hiding within the waves. The seven seas also absorb a big share of the carbon dioxide released by burning the fossilized sunshine known as coal, natural gas and oil...
Sustainability
Wildlife Crime? There's an App for That
A new tool may help officials crack down on the illegal wildlife trade. David Biello reports
Sustainability
7 Solutions to Climate Change Happening Now
Even as the world continues to spew more carbon pollution, change has begun—and is accelerating
Sustainability
Everything You Need to Know about the U.S.–China Climate Change Agreement
A turning point has been reached in the world's bid to curb global warming
Sustainability
Ethanol Scheme to Clean Air in Billions of Kitchens Goes Up in Smoke
An effort to build a scheme involving crop rotation, ethanol and clean cookstoves in Mozambique was defeated by bad roads, old trucks, slow carbon credits, civil unrest and tradition
