 | 2008 MAY
May 14, 2008
Polar Bears Listed as 'Threatened' Due to Loss of Arctic Ice
In a highly-anticipated decision, the Interior Department on Wednesday declared the polar bear "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act because of shrinking Arctic ice due to global warming. Two analysts consider the impact of the decisions.
     
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| May 12, 2008
Green Industry Hub Rises From Rust Belt Ruins
Paul Solman reports on innovators who are making the Pittsburgh region an eco-showcase of the benefits of going green and bringing new hope to the economically depressed Rust Belt region.
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| May 12, 2008
Examining Myanmar's Military Regime
The military government in Myanmar, the country also known as Burma, has been under close scrutiny in recent days as it has resisted allowing international aid workers in the country to assist after a deadly cyclone. Two experts take your questions on Myanmar's military government.
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| APRIL
April 25, 2008
Pittsburgh Renews Itself With 'Green' Technologies
Pittsburgh, once described as the nation's "dirtiest city," is working hard to reverse that image with new energy efficient initiatives. Paul Solman looks at how the Steel City has become reinvigorated by implementing new "green" energy technologies.
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| April 11, 2008
Scientists Create Plan to Save Madagascar Species
The island nation of Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries, but it is rich in one resource -- biodiversity. Perched in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar broke from the continent more than 80 million years ago.
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| April 1, 2008
Slide Show: Eye on Arctic Pollution
Researchers are taking a close look at the makeup and movement of pollutants at the Arctic. Learn more about some of their field studies in this slide show.
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| April 1, 2008
Scientists Plot Pollutants' Path at the Arctic
The Arctic is a receptacle of the planet's air pollutants -- from forest fires to human-produced carbon dioxide emissions -- and a coordinated international effort is geared toward learning more about pollutants' effects at the top of the globe.
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| April 1, 2008
Experts Discuss Water Reuse
A new treatment plant in Orange County, Calif., is one of about 15 in the country to recycle wastewater back into the groundwater drinking water supply -- a plan called indirect potable reuse. Two experts answered your questions on water recycling.
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| MARCH
March 28, 2008
After Major Cyclone, Bangladesh Worries About Climate Change
Months after Cyclone Sidr killed 3,200 people along the Bangladesh coast, the devastated country turns its attention to climate change. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on recovery efforts and worries about the long-term future of the country.
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| March 26, 2008
Ice Shelf Disintegrating Off Antarctica Peninsula
A huge slab of ice has fallen off the western Antarctic peninsula, threatening the ice shelf behind it. Scientists say the collapse shows how quickly polar changes can occur amid certain climate conditions. A climatologist explains.
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| March 24, 2008
Water Recycling Efforts Spark Policy Debate in California
In water-strapped southern California local authorities are exploring new approaches to water usage, launching new programs that send highly treated wastewater back into the groundwater supply to serve as drinking water.
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| March 24, 2008
Inside a Water Reuse Plant
Orange County, Calif.'s new water treatment plant, called the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWS), is one of about 15 in the country that recycles wastewater into potable water. The water goes through three intensive treatment phases before it is delivered back into the groundwater supply.
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| March 24, 2008
Potable Water Reuse Plant Locations
Find the locations of current and planned indirect potable water reuse projects.
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| March 10, 2008
Probe Finds Traces of Common Pharmaceuticals in U.S. Drinking Water
An investigation by the Associated Press found trace amounts of many types of pharmaceuticals -- including painkillers, antibiotics and anti-seizure medications -- in the drinking water of 24 American cities. A reporter who worked on the story describes the findings.
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| March 7, 2008
Strange Malady Wreaks Havoc on Bat Population
New Englanders may face an uptick in mosquito swarms, insect bites and moths this summer as a strange malady has threatened the insects' top predator: bats.
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| March 6, 2008
Carbon Offset Plan Allows Businesses to Trade Environmental 'Credit'
As scientists debate how to address climate change, one proposal for businesses creates a carbon credit system that allows emission producing companies to buy credits from companies that use energy efficient technologies as a way to offset overall environmental impact.
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| March 6, 2008
Experts Discuss Carbon Offsets
The carbon offset market is growing, spurred by businesses and consumers who want to lessen their carbon footprint by investing in ventures like hydroelectric power or forest regeneration. Two experts on carbon credits took your questions.
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| FEBRUARY
February 27, 2008
Justices Consider Exxon's Valdez Damages Challenge
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in Exxon's appeal of a civil suit that awarded $2.5 billion in punitive damages to victims of the 1989 Exxon Valdez shipwreck and oil spill in Alaska. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle recaps the case.
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| JANUARY
January 30, 2008
Iraq Looks to Revive Agriculture Sector
Iraq's winter rains have yet to arrive and the country's Northern provinces are suffering from a drought, adding to the burden of farmers already dealing with poor soil, a lack of power and equipment, and other difficulties.
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| January 11, 2008
Switchgrass Yields Energy-efficient, Clean Fuel, Study Finds
Switchgrass, a prairie grass grown on marginal farmland and processed into ethanol, can produce five times more energy than it takes to grow the crop, according to a new study.
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| January 9, 2008
Agency Delays Decision on Polar Bear Listing
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service postponed a recommendation originally due Wednesday on listing the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to changes in its habitat from global warming.
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| January 1, 2008
Environmental Activist Questions the Goals of Globalization
In the fourth installment in a series of conversations about the impact of globalization, NewsHour economics correspondent Paul Solman interviews Vandana Shiva, an activist at the forefront of the fight against globalization for nearly three decades.
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| 2007 DECEMBER
December 24, 2007
Greenland Residents Detect Sea Changes
Residents of Greenland's west coast say they are feeling the effects of rising sea temperatures in the fishing and tourism industries. NewsHour correspondent Spencer Michels reports on the research into whether the changes are climate change-related.
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| December 20, 2007
EPA Decision to Block State Emissions Plans Raises Policy Debate
The Environmental Protection Agency denied new emissions proposals from California and 16 other states Wednesday that would set guidelines for automakers. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and a former EPA official debate who should regulate emissions.
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| December 20, 2007
EPA Decides Against Calif. Emissions Standards
President Bush on Thursday defended the decision of EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson to block California from implementing its tailpipe emissions law.
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| December 19, 2007
Recommendation Nears for Listing Polar Bear as 'Threatened'
One year ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took up a proposal to list the polar bear as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act -- a decision that enjoys public support but also stands to impact a range of players.
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| December 18, 2007
Biologists Struggle to Save the Spotted Owl
Lee Hochberg reports on the battle between biologists and loggers over the northern Spotted Owl. The animal has been on the Endangered Species List for the past 17 years, but is not recovering as expected.
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| December 18, 2007
Energy Bill Puts Focus on Fuel Reform
The House passed an energy bill Tuesday that sets more demanding fuel efficiency standards for automobiles and calls for increased production of renewable sources of fuel. The bill was passed by the Senate last week. Energy and climate experts assess the tenets and impact of the bill.
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| December 17, 2007
Bali Climate Conference Ends With Compromise
The U.N. climate change conference ended in Bali Saturday with a last-minute deal that sets the terms of a "roadmap" for a new climate change treaty. The talks were described as emotional, with discontent directed toward U.S. objections to specific emissions caps. A U.S. negotiator and a climate analyst assess the talks.
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| December 14, 2007
Senate Passes Energy Bill Without Oil Tax Hikes
The Senate passed a pared-down energy bill Thursday night that raises fuel economy standards for the first time in more than three decades and mandates a six-fold boost in ethanol use by 2022.
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| December 10, 2007
U.S., China Reject Emission Caps at Bali Summit
Both the United States and China -- the world's biggest polluters -- have rejected the idea of including specific emissions limits in the final document that will come out of the talks at the United Nations climate change conference in Bali.
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| December 6, 2007
Despite Veto Threat, House Passes Energy Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives ignored the White House's threat of a veto and approved an energy bill Thursday that would raise vehicle fuel economy standards for the first time since 1975 and mandate more renewable energy generation.
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| NOVEMBER
November 30, 2007
Bali Talks to Set Stage for Further Climate Negotiations
Nearly 20,000 policymakers, activists and journalists will gather on the island of Bali, Indonesia Monday to open talks aimed at crafting a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, the United Nations treaty on climate change.
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| November 22, 2007
Local Foods Have Impact Beyond Kitchen Table
Amid increased promotion of organic foods and pushes to support local growers, an agricultural analyst and a New York City chef discuss the broader economic impact of buying local, in-season foods.
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| November 21, 2007
Calif. Oil Spill Cleanup Underway but Long-term Impacts Still Unclear
Cleanup is making headway in the aftermath of an oil spill in the San Francisco Bay but questions remain as to the nature of the ship collision that caused the spill, and the long term environmental impacts. Spencer Michels looks at the causes and effects of the spill.
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| November 20, 2007
A Planet in Drought: Our Dwindling Water Supplies
As classified by the National Weather Service, an "exceptional" drought now covers 26 percent of the South, with some experts saying Atlanta could run out of water by the New Year. Our guests addressed what is happening in Georgia and in other parts of the country as well as what other states are doing to solve the problem.
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| November 19, 2007
U.N. Panel Warns on Climate Change in Report
The U.N. panel on climate change has issued a new report outlining troubling scenarios if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. The report will be the basis for U.N. climate talks in December. Michael Oppenheimer, a member of the panel, details the report.
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| November 14, 2007
In '08 Election, Environment, Resources Top Concerns for Western Voters
Rapid growth in some western states has caused strain on natural resources. Local experts explain how the issues of water, power and land use are playing a role in the 2008 presidential election.
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| November 14, 2007
Rapid Urban Growth Strains Nevada's Natural Resources
Rapid growth in Las Vegas has caused tension between urban and rural areas about the strain on Nevada's natural resources. The battle over water and energy use has raised debate about the need for conservation and alternative sources of energy.
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| November 12, 2007
Criminal Investigation Opened into San Francisco Bay Oil Spill
Federal investigators on Monday were considering whether to file charges against crew members of a ship that struck the Bay Bridge on Wednesday, spilling 58,000 gallons of fuel oil into the San Francisco Bay.
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| November 6, 2007
Candidates Strive to Address Voters' Climate Concerns
Environmental issues such as climate change and energy use have been frequent topics on the 2008 presidential campaign trail with both GOP and Democratic hopefuls offering policy plans. Two analysts examine the candidates' differing proposals to address climate issues.
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| November 5, 2007
Environmental Issues Fuel California's Water Wars
Southern California is coping with water shortages due to a judge's ruling limiting the amount of freshwater that can be pumped from the northern part of the state. Environmental advocates, concerned about the effect on wildlife, lead the battle over water.
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| OCTOBER
October 31, 2007
Wildfire Wars: The Story of the California Fires
Nearly 1,800 homes and some 490,000 acres have been destroyed by wildfires in Southern California over the past week. At least 10 people have lost their lives in the powerful blazes. NewsHour correspondent Jeffrey Kaye answered your questions on what it was like to experience the disaster first-hand.
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| October 25, 2007
Oil and Gas Giant BP to Pay Fines Totaling $373M
London-based BP has agreed to pay a total of $373 million in fines for violating regulations tied to a fatal refinery explosion in 2005, operating leaking oil pipelines and engaging in a price-fixing scheme, the government announced Thursday.
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| October 24, 2007
Winds Ease, Allowing Californians to Tackle Damaging Fires
The strong winds fueling a string of powerful wildfires in Southern California began to taper off Wednesday, but officials in San Diego said the damage there has already likely topped the $1 billion mark. A San Diego County official provides an update.
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| October 23, 2007
Competition Puts Energy-Efficient, Solar-Powered Homes on Display
The U.S Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon brought teams from 20 universities to the National Mall to showcase their designs for a modern, solar-powered home. Interest in the event has grown amid new concerns over energy costs and climate change.
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| October 23, 2007
Over 500,000 Evacuated as Winds Feed California Fires
Wildfires in Southern California became almost impossible for firefighters to control Tuesday, and officials said 1,300 homes and businesses have burned down. A San Diego official describes how residents are coping.
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| October 23, 2007
Slide Show: Solar Decathlon Homes
Twenty college and university teams competed in the Department of Energy's third Solar Decathlon. Each team's challenge was to design and build a fully functioning energy-efficient solar-powered house on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
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| October 22, 2007
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ENVIRONMENT
