Artificial intelligence is being called a game changer for enabling scientists and conservationists to process vast troves of data collected remotely. But some warn its use could keep biologists from getting out in the field with the animals and ecosystems they are studying.
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Energy
China’s Mega Dam Project Poses Big Risks for Asia’s Grand Canyon
China’s plans to build a massive hydro project in Tibet have sparked fears about the environmental impacts on the world’s longest and deepest canyon. It has also alarmed neighboring India, which fears that China could hold back or even weaponize river water it depends on.
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Solutions
How Natural Solutions Can Help Islands Survive Sea Level Rise
Atoll islands with healthy ecosystems are less likely to disappear as oceans rise, research shows. Now, scientists are using nature-based solutions — like restoring coral reefs and native forests — to improve the odds that more vulnerable islands will withstand higher seas.
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INTERVIEW
Will U.S. Push on Seabed Mining End Global Consensus on Oceans?
President Trump’s recent order to expedite permits to begin deep-sea mining bypasses international agreements that protect oceans. By moving unilaterally, says the Ocean Conservancy’s Jeff Watters, the U.S. could endanger fragile marine ecosystems and set a troubling precedent.
Biodiversity
In Mexico’s ‘Avocado Belt,’ Villagers Stand Up to Protect Their Lands
A boom in avocado production in Mexico has led to illegal deforestation and an influx of drug cartels dominating the lucrative trade. But Indigenous communities have fought back against the gangs and turned to traditional practices to grow avocados and save their forests.
E360 Digest
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As Bird Flu Spreads, Vaccine Shows Promise for Protecting Cattle
Since bird flu was first discovered in U.S. cattle last year, the virus has spread to more than 1,000 herds across the country. A new vaccine for cattle has performed well in early tests, raising hopes that it could protect livestock and help prevent an outbreak in humans. More about As Bird Flu Spreads, Vaccine Shows Promise for Protecting Cattle →
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Taiwan to Ramp Up Gas Imports After Shuttering Last Nuclear Plant
Having shut down its last remaining nuclear plant Saturday, Taiwan is working to secure new imports of natural gas. More about Taiwan to Ramp Up Gas Imports After Shuttering Last Nuclear Plant →
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Scientists Look to Changing Tree Color to Predict Volcanic Eruptions
NASA scientists believe it may be possible to predict when a volcano will erupt by using satellites to track changes in the color of surrounding trees. More about Scientists Look to Changing Tree Color to Predict Volcanic Eruptions →
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Policy
U.S. Aid Cuts Are Hitting Global Conservation Projects Hard
The Trump Administration’s dismantling of USAID has done more than cut off life-saving humanitarian assistance. It has also eliminated funding for environmental protection and conservation work in dozens of countries, with many programs now being forced to shut down.
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Food & Agriculture
How Herbicide Drift from Farms Is Harming Trees in Midwest
Researchers are starting to pay closer attention to the widespread damage wrought by agricultural herbicides. Drifting sprays may not kill trees, shrubs, and other nontarget plants outright, but experts believe they are making them vulnerable to insects, fungi, and disease.
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Solutions
A.I. Is Quietly Powering a Revolution in Weather Prediction
Weather forecasts powered by artificial intelligence are usually more accurate — and require less computational energy and fewer human hours — than conventional predictions. But questions remain about A.I. systems’ reliability and their ability to forecast extreme weather events.
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ANALYSIS
Recycling Nuclear Waste: A Win-Win or a Dangerous Gamble?
As interest in nuclear power rises, startups are pursuing plans to recycle spent fuel and reuse its untapped energy to power reactors. Advocates tout new recycling methods as a breakthrough, but many experts warn it will extract plutonium that could be used for nuclear weapons.
