WATER

As the Colorado River Shrinks, Calls to Drain Lake Powell Grow

Lake Powell recently dropped to a historic low, slashing hydropower and the flow of water downstream. As drought deepens, groups are pushing to drain the lake entirely to reveal its long-submerged rock arches and spires and allow wildlife along the Colorado River to recover.

By Jim Robbins

ANALYSIS

What Is Driving the Global Resurgence of Mangrove Forests?

After decades of losses, mangrove trees are gaining ground on coastlines around the world, often in places they have never grown before. Paradoxically, scientists say, warming temperatures and the destruction of inland forests are helping to power the revival.

By Fred Pearce
Biodiversity

Arctic Wildlife Research Suffers as Geopolitical Competition Grows

As national security and the hunt for rare minerals come to dominate Arctic agendas, governments are slashing support for wildlife research. Scientists say the loss of monitoring is unprecedented and comes as climate change dramatically reshapes life in the Far North.

By Ed Struzik
OPINION

The U.S. Public Is Losing Its Say on Environmental Policy

Federal agencies have long been required to seek public comment when writing new regulations or approving large projects, from highways to data centers. The Trump administration is systematically undercutting that process, stifling public input while skirting federal laws.

By Jody Freeman

Women water seedlings at a nursery near Buee, Ethiopia.

Solutions

Fifty Billion Seedlings: Can Ethiopia Replant Its Ravaged Forests?

A legacy of deforestation has left Ethiopia struggling with more intense flooding and drought. The country is trying to restore its native forests through one of the world’s most ambitious and well-funded tree-planting campaigns, but such projects in other nations have often fallen short.

By Samuel Abate and Freddie Clayton

E360 Digest

Digest Archive →

El Niño to Ratchet Up Carbon Dioxide Levels

Carbon dioxide levels are set to surge this year amid a powerful El Niño, a report warns. More about El Niño to Ratchet Up Carbon Dioxide Levels →
Industry Knew for Decades That Microplastics Could Infiltrate Human Bodies

The chemical industry has known for decades that ingested microplastic particles can reach vital organs, an investigation has found. More about Industry Knew for Decades That Microplastics Could Infiltrate Human Bodies →
Two in Three Cars Sold in China Last Month Were Electric

Plug-in cars, including both plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles, accounted for two in three new passenger vehicles sold in China in September, according to industry data. More about Two in Three Cars Sold in China Last Month Were Electric →

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Rooftop solar arrays in Beirut, Lebanon.

OPINION

The Solar Boom in Developing Nations: Fast, Chaotic, and Unequal

Soaring energy costs are driving a solar rush in developing countries, but as households unplug from the grid, those who remain face higher electricity bills. If governments fail to manage the buildout, the growth of solar could destabilize power systems and deepen economic inequality.

By Jan Rosenow

Climate

Why Germany Is Building an Ark for U.S. Climate Data

As researchers around the world begin work on the next U.N. climate assessment, fears are growing that the Trump administration could meddle with critical U.S. climate data. In response, scientists are preparing to transfer vast troves of that data to repositories in Germany.

By Christian Schwägerl
INTERVIEW

From Indigenous Loss, a Potent Legal Argument on Climate

In an interview, human rights lawyer Julian Aguon explores how climate change is undermining the cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples. He is citing these injuries in legal actions, including in a major victory at the International Court of Justice last year.

By Beth Gardiner
Biodiversity

Sargassum Superbloom: Seaweed Scourge or Ecological Boon?

Stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, a massive bloom of sargassum seaweed is swamping beaches and killing coastal wildlife. But scientists have discovered the floating algae also shelters a vast array of ocean creatures, and some are now calling for its protection.

By Fred Pearce