
The war in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on the environment, with water supplies contaminated, raw sewage pouring into the Mediterranean, once-fertile soils ruined, and the land stripped of trees. Experts say the extent of the damage needs to be tallied to help plan for a recovery.
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RIVERS
How Tearing Down Small Dams Is Helping Restore Northeast Rivers
More than 30,000 small dams currently block river tributaries from Maine to Maryland. New initiatives to remove them are aimed at restoring natural flows, improving habitat for aquatic life, and reopening thousands of river miles to migratory fish, from shad to American eels.
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Food & Agriculture
Turning Farmland Back to Peatland: Can It Slow CO2 Emissions?
Farmers have long drained peatlands for agriculture, but the dried-out soils release vast quantities of CO2. To halt this process, new initiatives in Germany are not only rewetting peatlands but also creating markets for the native grasses, reeds, and sedges they support.
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Climate
In Vermont, a Push to Prevent Flooding or Get Out of the Way
An increase in extreme precipitation events has hit the tiny, mountainous state of Vermont especially hard. As disaster declarations mount, state officials and community groups are collaborating to restore floodplains, reduce runoff from slopes, and buy out vulnerable homes.
WILDLIFE
Deadly Encounter: Mountain Lion Attacks Spark Controversy
A mountain lion attack that killed a young California man last year has reignited a debate over how the big cats should be managed. Some are calling for renewed hunting of the animals, while others are advocating nonlethal methods of instilling a fear of humans in the big cats.
E360 Digest
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Exposure to Air Pollution Can Make It Harder to Focus, Study Finds
A person’s ability to focus on everyday tasks is affected by short-term exposure to air pollution, a study has found. More about Exposure to Air Pollution Can Make It Harder to Focus, Study Finds →
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To Breed Heat-Proof Cows, Nigerian Farmers Source Brazilian Bull Genes
As the planet warms, Nigerian farmers are looking to breed cattle that can take the heat, importing semen from a Brazilian breed suited to balmy tropical weather. More about To Breed Heat-Proof Cows, Nigerian Farmers Source Brazilian Bull Genes →
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India Doubled its Tiger Population in a Little More Than a Decade
The number of tigers in India roughly doubled in a little more than a decade, a conservation success that is due in part to communities learning to live alongside the animals, new research finds. More about India Doubled its Tiger Population in a Little More Than a Decade →
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INTERVIEW
Whiplash: How Big Swings in Precipitation Fueled the L.A. Fires
Climate scientist Daniel Swain says that two very wet years followed by a very dry one helped to turn the Los Angeles wildfires into raging infernos. This phenomenon of “hydroclimate whiplash,” he says, is expected to occur in more and more places as the world warms.
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Oceans
As Oceans Warm, Predators Are Falling Out of Sync with Their Prey
In the sea as on land, climate change is driving shifts in the abundance and distribution of species. Scientists are just beginning to focus on why some fish predators and prey — like striped bass and menhaden on the U.S. East Coast — are changing their behavior as waters warm.
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Biodiversity
Despite Biotech Efforts to Revive Species, Extinction Is Still Forever
In the last decade, laboratory initiatives to recreate long-extinct species have stirred controversy. Now, scientists increasingly agree "de-extinction" is not possible, but breeding living animals with genes similar to those lost species can be a useful conservation tool.
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Energy
U.S. Support and New Investments Buoy Hopes for Marine Energy
Producing energy from waves and tides has a stop-and-start history. But with a new U.S. testing site opening in 2026, recent federal investment, and accelerating efforts to reach net zero emissions, developers aiming to harness the vast power of the sea are feeling optimistic.