Environment

Are environmentalists hypocrites?

Concern for the environment often rises alongside material wealth. Yet that wealth in turn drives environmental destruction. Is there a way out?

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First Look Construction of massive water tunnels wins approval in California

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California approved a plan to help fund two tunnels connecting the Sacramento River to drought-sensitive communities around the state, but the plan is criticized by environmentalists.

First Look Youths take up activism to counter climate change

Youth-led climate organizations are springing up around the globe and pushing for measures to counter climate change. Drawing from personal experience, they are rallying to hold their governments accountable for failing to properly address problems.
First Look Facebook's latest low mark: selling illegal and threatened animal parts

Facebook become one of the 20 technology companies that joined the Global Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online. But weeks after joining scores of internationally banned wildlife products were found for sale in public and private Facebook groups.
Difference Maker After hurricane Maria, he's helping the ocean – and its fishers – recover

Hurricane Maria upended Puerto Rico, along with its fishing industry. Raimundo Espinoza Chirinos's project cleans up the storm's hidden damage on the ocean floor by tapping into local fishermen's skills.
First Look More people choosing to walk, instead of drive, in congested Nairobi

A growing number of the city’s workers are opting to walk to work to avoid the daily traffic scramble and to cut air pollution caused by vehicle emissions. But walkers still face a tough road ahead, including a lack of safe pedestrian pathways.
Climate change goes to court

The judicial system is taking on a new role in the arc of America's climate narrative, as activists increasingly bring climate grievances to court.

US counties get mixed grades in ‘State of the Air’ pollution report

The American Lung Association’s annual report on pollution levels in the United States warns that 2 in 5 Americans live in counties with too much ozone or particulate pollution.
First Look Engineers reconstruct the Mighty Mississippi to predict effects of erosion

Engineers hope the 10,000-square-foot foam replica of the Lower Mississippi can help them study and prevent coastal erosion. The Delta region is on the front lines of land loss due to erosion.
First Look Insect farms emerge as an alternate source of protein

A small but growing insect-farming industry is attracting attention from global food brands looking for alternate and sustainable sources of protein for both animal feed and human consumption.
Russian consumerism may be poisoning this town. But nascent civil society is pushing back.

Locals in Volokolamsk say the massive garbage dump outside of their town is poisoning their children. The dump is a byproduct of Russia's transformation from communist to capitalist society – but the locals' lawsuit to move it shows that civil society is growing too.
First Look Around the globe, museums seek to solve climate change

Curators are planning a new wave of museums devoted to climate change. They are pushing city planners and experts to use museums to foster empathy in citizens on climate issues, which will also be used as platforms for scientists to have their voices heard.
First Look Brazil plants chocolate forests to save the Amazon

Brazil's cattle ranchers are planting cocoa on their used-up pasture, with financial support from international environmental groups. Cocoa plantations can imitate natural forests by helping to restore native plant and wildlife species and absorb carbon dioxide.
How Fukushima turned a nuclear advocate into an antinuclear champion

Naoto Kan, Japan's former prime minister, was devoted to the idea of nuclear power. But after his country's nuclear disaster in 2011, he turned into an improbable activist against atomic energy. Can he persuade the pro-nuke French?