Environment

Fearing that the gray wolf will be devastated by unchecked hunting, activists are suing the U.S. government for taking the species off the endangered list.

Urban areas big and small are initiating tree-planting programs to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, but a few glitches remain.

A consumer has filed a lawsuit against the maker of Nalgene water bottles over the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in the company’s hard plastic bottles.

A recent study found that the yield from genetically modified soya was 10 percent smaller than the yield from plants that were not genetically engineered.

Due to a mass disappearance of salmon in the Sacramento River, the fishing season has been cancelled. West Coast states are seeking federal aid.

The president unveiled a plan Wednesday to cap emissions by 2025; however, developing nations and observers question his motives.

The National Toxicology Program issued a report saying there is concern about the safety of bisphenol A, found in many plastics, including baby bottles.

U.S. and international public health experts warn that climate change may increase the spread of infectious diseases and pose other human health risks.

Many experts believe that the supply of oil, America’s primary source of energy, is leveling  off and may soon begin to drop permanently.   Americans must begin to conserve now to avert a drastic shortfall.  We suggest 10 practical ways to do so.

Legislation introduced in Congress would require a study to determine whether hybrid vehicles should make more noise to warn the blind and other pedestrians.

Concerned groups argue the hand-reared Flocke will develop an unhealthy dependency. Celebrity bear cub Knut has, some say, grown into a disturbed adult.

Fish in the Atlantic are moving in to artificial reefs made of subway cars, sunk there in one of many initiatives around the world to protect ocean life.

Residents of Charles County, Md., are upset about plans for a highway that would threaten freshwater life. Development endangers fish habitats in many states.

A man saved his wife from a crocodile attack by poking it in the eyes. Research shows there is an optimum tactic to use whenever wild animals attack.

JPMorgan and Merrill Lynch have invested in the $60 billion carbon offsets sector. Skeptics ask whether offsets really help reduce global carbon emissions.

Seattle joins a growing list of cities that either discourage or ban the use of city funds to buy bottled water. Is bottled water on its way out?

Japan has ridden out protests againts its whaling activities and now accuses Australia of hypocrisy on account of a plan to exterminate 400 kangaroos.

U.S. gas prices broke another record this week, hitting an average of $3.22 a gallon.  Some experts believe oil prices could go significantly higher.

The opening of the Northwest Passage could lead to international disputes over shipping routes. Global warming has prompted a variety of security concerns.

Norway and an NGO called the Global Diversity Crop Trust have opened a global seed bank, built to ensure the planet’s crop diversity.

Masdar City is to be the world's first zero-waste, zero-carbon development. But environmentalists cast doubt on the motives behind its construction.

Wood-burning stove use is on the rise because of increasing oil prices. The development could have serious environmental effects.

The Alaskan polar bear population is stable, but there is evidence that their hunting grounds are shrinking. Activists want the bears listed as “threatened.”

Global food prices are increasing and biofuel production may in part be to blame. New technology could hold the answer to food and energy needs.

Fifty-three sea lions found bludgeoned to death on the Galapagos Islands draw attention to the vulnerability of a valuable ecosystem. Conservationists urge tourists to behave responsibly.

As the Olympics draw near, athletes are worried about the impact the poor air quality in Beijing will have on their performance.

In an effort to curb pollution, the grocery store chain announces it will no longer use disposable plastic bags. Instead, it will offer customers paper and reusable bags.

Protesters who boarded a Japanese fishing vessel near Antarctica are still in detention. In a unusual move for a Japanese politician, Prime Minister Yasuo Fakuda defended whaling.

A study finds that switchgrass could be a better source of ethanol fuel than corn. But the value of ethanol as a sustainable source of alternative energy is still being questioned.