National Geographic News: Environment

Global Nuclear Retreat? Armenia, Others Aim to Keep Plants Alive

Josie Garthwaite — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:43:51 -0400

Armenia extends the life of its Soviet-style nuclear plant, despite seismic concerns. It's one of a slew of decisions nations face on old reactors.

Dinosaurs' Gaseous Emissions Warmed Earth?

Charles Choi — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:53:42 -0400

Giant plant-eaters known as sauropods may have heated the planet by releasing huge amounts of methane, a new study says.

British Columbia Rethinks Its Pioneering Carbon Tax

Stacey Schultz — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:42:44 -0400

With none of its neighbors following British Columbia's lead in taxing to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the Canadian province reviews the economic impact.

Yellowstone Super-Eruptions More Numerous Than Thought?

Richard A. Lovett — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:27:21 -0400

The volcano that makes up much of Yellowstone may have seen more so-called super-eruptions than previously thought.

Supercomputing Power Could Pave the Way to Energy-Efficient Engines

Marianne Lavelle — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:02:08 -0400

Scientists believe that Titan, a massive upgrade in supercomputing power that the U.S. government is set to deploy this year, will help crack the code on energy-efficient engines.

Everest Helicopter Rescue Saves National Geographic Photographer

Ted Chamberlain — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:07:01 -0400

Despite "not flyable" conditions, an acutely ailing Nat Geo photographer was airlifted to safety Saturday in Nepal.

Fish Glow Green After Genetic Engineering

Brian Handwerk — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:01:45 -0400

A genetically engineered fish that glows green from the inside out is helping illuminate what pollutants do inside the body.

Everest Guide Dies After 15-Story Fall Into Ice Chasm

Ker Than — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:05:33 -0400

In the first climbing fatality of the Everest mountaineering season, a Sherpa fell 150 feet into a chasm Saturday.

Everest Guide Dies After 15-Story Fall Into Ice Chasm

Ker Than — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:19:01 -0400

In the first climbing fatality of the Everest mountaineering season, a Sherpa fell 150 feet into a chasm Saturday.

Earth Day Facts: When It Is, How It Began, What to Do

John Roach — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:56:52 -0400

From not-so-humble beginnings in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global tradition. Find out when it is, how it started, how it's evolved, and what you can do.

Emperor Penguins Counted From Space—A First

Christine Dell'Amore — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:06:57 -0400

New satellite images show the population of emperor penguins in Antarctica has doubled since 1992, scientists report.

Delhi Offers Cleaner Auto Rickshaws, but Residents Choose Cars

Rebecca Byerly in New Delhi, India — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:45:33 -0400

In India's clogged cities, some view auto rickshaws—motorized three-wheelers—as a solution to pollution and congestion. But these "tuk tuks" struggle to compete with the allure of car ownership.

"Strawberry" Leopard Discovered—A First

Christine Dell'Amore — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:21:08 -0400

The rare South Africa leopard probably has erythrism, a condition that causes a pinkish coat, experts say.

Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 4-Million-Year-Old Cave

Dave Mosher — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:49:06 -0400

Deep in a pristine New Mexico cave, scientists have discovered nearly a hundred types of bacteria that can fight modern antibiotics.

No Tsunami? Why Earthquake Spared Indonesia Today

Ker Than — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:42:51 -0400

Despite a massive undersea quake Wednesday and panic in Indonesia, a regional tsunami watch saw little waves. Find out why.

Growing Food Demand Strains Energy, Water Supplies

Jeff Smith — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:32:24 -0400

In western India and around the world, agricultural growth is being stoked by unsustainable irrigation practices that sap aquifers and require huge amounts of energy.

Cameron Exclusive: After Record Dive, Why Go Back to Mariana Trench?

Ker Than — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:49:27 -0400

James Cameron is eager for scientists to continue exploring Earth's deepest point. "Train me up, and set me down," project geologist says.

Titanic Would Encounter More Icebergs Today?

Christine Dell'Amore — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:37:27 -0400

If Titanic had sailed a hundred years later, it may have encountered many more icebergs, possibly due to global warming, scientists say.

With Gas Prices High, U.S. Refinery Closures Hit Workers and Drivers

Marianne Lavelle — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:24:57 -0400

The economic pain of U.S. East Coast refinery closures may spread beyond job losses. Already high gas prices could climb still higher as summer approaches.

"Lost" Long-Fingered Frog Found in Africa

Christine Dell'Amore — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:27:59 -0400

In a handy stroke of luck, scientists have rediscovered a "lost" African species: the Bururi long-fingered frog.

While Rare-Earth Trade Dispute Heats Up, Scientists Seek Alternatives

Catherine T. Yang — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:33:54 -0400

While nations clash with China to ease its monopoly over the rare-earth minerals critical to energy technology, scientists hunt for other options.

James Cameron on Earth's Deepest Spot: Desolate, Lunar-Like

Victoria Jaggard — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:51:52 -0400

James Cameron describes Challenger Deep as a desolate, "lunar" environment, saying the dive felt as if he'd gone to another planet.

Cameron's Historic Dive Cut Short by Leak; Few Signs of Life Seen

Ker Than — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:53:22 -0400

Despite technical challenges, James Cameron made history Monday in the Mariana Trench, which he said "looked like the moon."

James Cameron Completes Record-Breaking Mariana Trench Dive

Ker Than — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:56:04 -0400

Filmmaker-explorer James Cameron just became the first human to reach Earth's deepest abyss alone—and the only one to explore it in depth.

James Cameron Now at Ocean's Deepest Point

Ker Than — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:58:04 -0400

Stuffed into a "vertical torpedo," the explorer-filmmaker has become the first human to reach the Mariana Trench's Challenger Deep alone.