National Geographic News: Environment

How Cities Compost Mountains of Food Waste

Brian Clark Howard — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:02:42 -0400

New York City amps up food recycling, while San Francisco shows the way.

Electrofuels: Charged Microbes May "Poop Out" a Gasoline Alternative

Richard A. Lovett — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:44:20 -0400

Run current through genetically engineered microorganisms, and they produce gasoline substitute. Can U.S.-funded electrofuels research finish the drive from lab to market?

Restoring Trees to Save the World's Rarest Parrot

David Braun — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:13:16 -0400

National Geographic explorer Steve Boyes talks about his work to pull the Cape parrot back from the brink of oblivion.

Whisky a Go Go: Can Scotland’s Distillery Waste Boost Biofuels?

Thomas K. Grose — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:29:29 -0400

Scotland's whisky industry churns out a sobering amount of waste, but it may eventually feed a heady biofuels market if Celtic Renewables' plans succeed.

The Ethical Flap Over Birdsong Apps

Mel White — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:20:36 -0400

Bird-watchers are using the songs on their smartphones to lure birds. But the result could be bad karma for the birds.

Antarctic's Ice Shelves Melting From the Bottom Up

Jane J. Lee — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:02:46 -0400

Ice shelves lose more mass through melting where the ice meets the sea than by shedding icebergs, a new study says.

American West Becoming Increasingly Dusty

Ker Than — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:30:48 -0400

Dust storms are increasing in number in the U.S. What does having more dust in the air actually mean?

The NSA Data: Where Does It Go?

Melody Kramer — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:25:12 -0400

Massive data centers can store the equivalent of 250 billion DVDs. What might that look like?

What's Behind the New Warning on Global Carbon Emissions?

Thomas K. Grose in London — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:02:40 -0400

The world is on track to dangerous global warming, but some solutions could be implemented quickly, says International Energy Agency.

Great Barrier Reef: Through the Lens of David Doubilet

Cathy Newman — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 10:04:35 -0400

Photographer David Doubilet recalls 30 years of experience documenting the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Great Barrier Reef: World Heritage in Danger?

Brian Handwerk — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 10:03:55 -0400

One of the world's great natural treasures could find itself on a "list of shame" if steps aren't taken to improve its condition.

Mr. Badger Should Be Worried: Britain Ponders a Cull

Cathy Newman — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:26:37 -0400

Some Brits blame badgers for spreading TB to cattle and think a cull will help. Badger lovers (and many scientists) disagree.

Record-Breaking Mako Shark Tips Off Conservation Debate

Brian Clark Howard — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 01:07:41 -0400

Anglers spark controversy after hauling in a 1,300-pound shortfin mako shark in California.

First "Small Modular" Nuclear Reactors Planned for Tennessee

Will Ferguson — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:32:52 -0400

A U.S. government-supported project in Tennessee seeks to launch a new kind of nuclear plant—a "small modular reactor." Can downsizing address both cost and safety concerns?

Five Surprising Facts About Energy Poverty

Marianne Lavelle — Wed, 29 May 2013 17:22:04 -0400

The countries that have made the most progress still have far to go to bring electricity and clean energy to their populations, a World Bank-led report details.

Freed From a Glacier's Hold, Ancient Moss Grows Again

Roff Smith — Tue, 28 May 2013 17:24:31 -0400

How does ancient moss begin to grow again? Once a glacier's ice retreated, all it took was air and sunlight.

Monterey Shale Shakes Up California's Energy Future

Josie Garthwaite — Wed, 29 May 2013 15:01:19 -0400

In the valley that once lured gold seekers, oil prospectors are converging on the Monterey shale—a sharp new twist in California's path to cleaner energy.

Improved Models Predict Active 2013 Hurricane Season

Willie Drye — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:12:11 -0400

NOAA expects up to 20 named tropical storms, which could yield as many as six major hurricanes, as it utilizes new technology to improve forecasting.

Carnivorous Plant Keeps House With Ants

Jane J. Lee — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:03:56 -0400

Diving ants keep nutritious fly larvae from escaping carnivorous pitcher plants.

Tesla Motors' Success Gives Electric Car Market a Charge

Josie Garthwaite — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:52:42 -0400

Amid a decimated field of E.V. startups, Tesla Motors is riding high. But can its feats help take electric cars mainstream?

5 Tornado Myths Busted

Brian Clark Howard — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:50:51 -0400

Following the Oklahoma tornado, a severe-weather expert shares facts and tips on staying safe in storms.

A Tornado Chaser Talks About His Science and Craft

Jane J. Lee — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:44:13 -0400

Researcher Tim Samaras talks about why he chases tornadoes, what they smell like, and what we still don't know about these severe storms.

Why Did Penguins Stop Flying? The Answer Is Evolutionary

Brian Handwerk — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:17:50 -0400

Scientists say they've learned why penguin wings, now used for swimming, no longer get the birds off the ground.

Op-Ed: Gamma Rays and the Grand Canyon

Kenneth Brower — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:09:28 -0400

Despite a ban on any new uranium mines near the Grand Canyon, the U.S. Forest Service has authorized a Canadian company to start digging.

Everest Ice Shrinking Fast, Scientists and Climbers Say

Brian Handwerk — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:34:59 -0400

The world's highest peak has been shedding snow and ice for the past 50 years, possibly due in part to global warming, new research shows.