Stories by Tiffany Stecker

A new report argues that leaks of methane from the natural gas system may undermine air pollution benefits of switching from burning coal to burning natural gas

2011 saw the biggest such toxic algal bloom on record but it is likely to be surpassed in coming years, thanks to climate change among other factors

In a bid to cut back on devastating forest fires, foresters will thin dense stands of ponderosa pines

Converting savanna to sugar cane plantations could alter the local climate

Biologists are studying whether genes could be switched on and off in plants depending on climatic conditions

Teasing out the links—or lack thereof—between extreme weather events from droughts to storms has proved difficult for scientists

At a U.S. Senate hearing, scientists warned that New Orleans, Florida and other places will be radically transformed if global warming is allowed to continue unabated

With plans that incorporate efforts made by the Commerce, Agriculture, Energy, Transportation and Defense departments, among others, the administration's effort acknowledges that climate impacts are happening now and require action

While natural gas provides an option to cut carbon emissions from power generation, the leaks and flaring of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—in its production could undermine the benefits

Encouraging tree growth has helped bring new life to a village in Ethiopia

The algae industry suggests that the National Academy of Sciences's concerns about water are a "nonstarter"

Too much wheat is imported and not enough grown throughout Africa, according to agricultural experts

Curbing illegal logging via international coordination of law enforcement could be a cost-effective measure to slowing the development of climate change

For the second year, the pest has ravaged less of forests in the western U.S., thanks to dwindling numbers of the trees it feeds on

A sustainable, energy-producing toilet for developing countries has meant a flood of phone calls--and an investment from Bill Gates

Coastal ecosystems store carbon, conserve biodiversity and help protect local economies such as fishing for a nominal cost

Types of genetically modified corn could offer modest protection for drought tolerance and might help individual farmers recoup yield losses in drought conditions

Changes in nature are happening much faster than had been observed in scientists' labs

Regulating emissions of methane from fracking to free natural gas will have important co-benefits in slowing climate change

The Indiana university is building the nation's largest geothermal system

A new finding comes amid a debate about the carbon footprint of the oil sands generally. Emissions released from burning them still would be small compared with those from burning coal and natural gas

Flavors and aromas are shifting in balance because of the earlier maturity of the grapes

Climate change is already a tangible reality for farmers in the tropics

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms what gardeners have noticed for years: climate zones are shifting north