Science, Tech & Environment

In fossilized footprints, evidence of humans, a giant sloth, and ‘the killer blow’

April 26, 2018

Fossilized footprints in the salt flats of White Sands National Monument, in the southwestern U.S. state of New Mexico, reveal humans walking in the exact footsteps of a giant sloth and then confronting it, possibly hurling spears.

In India, 'Day Zero' is every day as water taps run dry

Thomson Reuters Foundation

April 25, 2018

Nearly 163 million people among India's population of 1.3 billion — or more than one in 10 — lack access to clean water close to their home, according to a 2018 WaterAid report. That is the most of any country in the world.

Environment

Around the world, the environment is finally getting its day in court

Ensia

April 24, 2018

Concerned about cases falling through the cracks, more and more countries are establishing specialized legal systems to address environmental disputes.

Environment

Take a tour of the City of London’s tiny, protected green spaces

PRI's The World

April 23, 2018

Open spaces in greater London’s historic core have been protected since Victorian times.

Global Politics

Tyler Environmental Prize winner James J. McCarthy has hope for the future

Living on Earth

April 22, 2018

Distinguished oceanographer and leading climate scientist James J. McCarthy of Harvard University is a co-recipient of this year’s Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement.

Economics

Scott Pruitt's plan would double allowable auto emissions by 2025

Living on Earth

April 22, 2018

Updated

04/23/2018 - 10:00am

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt wants to roll back fuel efficiency standards developed under President Obama. The decision would increase carbon emissions and pollution nationwide and also sets the stage for a possible legal battle with California, which wants to keep its more stringent standards.

Global Politics

Biodiversity loss has an enormous impact on humans, according to a UN report

Living on Earth

April 21, 2018

A three-year study finds that land degradation and rapidly declining biological diversity has profound implications for humanity, putting billions of people at risk of living without adequate food, water and energy.

Health

Coal plant emissions damage infant DNA, a new study shows

Living on Earth

April 21, 2018

Pollution from coal plants has been linked to adverse health effects, including increased risk of cardiovascular problems and shortened lifespans. Now a new study suggests a reason why: coal plant emissions can effect telomeres — protective tips at the end of each string of DNA that are linked to aging.

Conflict

North Korea says will stop nuclear tests and scrap its test site

Reuters

April 21, 2018

North Korea said on Saturday it would immediately suspend nuclear and missile tests, scrap its nuclear test site and instead pursue economic growth and peace, ahead of planned summits with South Korea and the United States.

Culture

The rivalry between two Mexican towns could be responsible for the loss of a language

PRI's The World

April 20, 2018

The last people in Mexico who speak a language called Huave live on a remote stretch of the Pacific coast. But an ongoing conflict over clean energy has pitted the Huave against each other. Now some of the last Huave speakers no longer talk to each other.