Climate

Climate

World leaders call for action on climate change

This week, the presidents of China and the United States pledged to take aggressive action on the release of greenhouse gases to head off dire worldwide climate effects.

Environment

Will water woes leave Americans thirsty?

In the United States, people often assume that clean water will always be available. But factors ranging from global warming to pollution have begun threatening drinking-water supplies.

Earth

Explainer: Understanding ice ages

Earth slowly wobbles, tilts and stretches (or contracts) as it orbits the sun. These changes may be fairly small and subtle. Still, their cumulative impacts can be huge — sometimes triggering the slow onset of an ice age or an abrupt thaw.

Animals

Sharks’ super sniffers at risk

Rising ocean acidity could rob sharks of their ability to sniff out dinner, marine biologists find.

Climate

Where will lightning strike?

When lightning strikes, the results can be deadly. But nature’s dazzling light show also can provide scientists with insights into when and where the next thunderbolt might strike.

Agriculture

Your food choices affect Earth’s climate

Producing food can put a lot of climate-warming pollutants into the atmosphere. But some foods, especially meats, contribute more than others.

Climate

This umbrella ‘listens’ to rain — for science

Scientists have developed an umbrella that ‘listens’ to falling raindrops. One day, a fleet of such simple rain gauges may help scientists better map weather patterns and changes in Earth’s water supplies.

Climate

Arctic sends weird weather south

Arctic warming is affecting weather farther south, where most of the world lives. The impacts are especially worrisome for agriculture.

Environment

‘Greener’ energy needed now, group warns

To avoid a looming environmental crisis brought on by global warming, people need to rely more on renewable energy sources. And fast. Without quick action, the world may face a harsh future, warns the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Animals

When a species can’t stand the heat

When temperatures rise, New Zealand’s tuatara produce more males. With global warming, that could leave the ancient reptile species with too few females to avoid going extinct.

Animals

Kangaroos have ‘green’ farts

The farts and belches of these animals contain less methane than do those from other big grass grazers. Microbes in their digestive tract appear to explain the ‘roos lower production of this greenhouse gas, a new study finds.

Microbes

Arctic thaw is spreading wildlife diseases

Polar animals are encountering new, killer parasites as melting ice unlocks their access to new hosts.