Environment

Botanists say this plant is the fern equivalent of a human-lemur love child.

'Weird' Fern Shows The Power Of Interspecies Sex

9:48am February 24, 2015

by Geoff Brumfiel

Two species of fern that diverged 60 million years ago are as evolutionarily distant as, say, elephants and manatees. Nonetheless, the two species recently produced a hybrid, say astounded botanists.

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Eastern oysters in South Kingston, RI on July 25, 2013.

Acidifying Waters Are Endangering Your Oysters And Mussels

5:48pm February 23, 2015

by Christopher Joyce

Many coastal communities that harvest shellfish could soon be hurt by ocean acidification, a study finds. The Pacific Northwest and New England are hot spots, as are estuaries along the East Coast.

Freight Farms are shipping containers modified to grow stacks of hydroponic plants and vegetables — anywhere, 365 days a year.

Freight Farms: How Boston Gets Local Greens, Even When Buried In Snow

1:48pm February 23, 2015

by Here & Now Staff

Big metal shipping containers are often used to import food from around the globe. Now, two Boston entrepreneurs are modifying those containers to grow local produce hydroponically, 365 days a year.

U.N. Report Warns Of 'Irreversible' Damage To Earth's Climate

11:49am February 23, 2015

by Christopher Joyce

In Copenhagen on Sunday, scientists gathered to issue their latest assessment of the world's climate. Their report is considered the most comprehensive overview of the state of climate science.

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Parks Service Surveys The Environment's Accoustical Health

12:36pm February 22, 2015

The National Park Service has been measuring sounds in nature for a decade. But not all sounds are natural. NPR's Rachel Martin checks in with Kurt Fristrup, who's behind the bio-acoustical project.

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The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 spewed almost 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, causing worldwide temperatures to drop half a degree on average.

Scientific Pros Weigh The Cons Of Messing With Earth's Thermostat

3:20pm February 20, 2015

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Studying techniques for engineering our way out of climate change would be helpful — and not the same as actually trying them, says a panel convened by the National Research Council.

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A fisherman collects water on a beach littered with trash at an ecological reserve south of Manila in 2013.

8 Million Tons Of Plastic Clutter Our Seas

3:13pm February 20, 2015

by Christopher Joyce

A scientist estimating the weight of candy wrappers, bags, bottles, syringes and other plastic trash in the world's water sees a synthetic tsunami. Should China and India create more landfills?

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Can You Hear Nature's Sounds?

11:06am February 19, 2015

by Barbara J. King

Our lives are now so noisy that we're at risk of shutting out nature's beautiful sounds, a new study shows. Anthropologist Barbara J. King invites us to be still and listen to the world.

Environment

Duke Energy's SEC Filing Reveals Intent To Settle Criminal Probe

6:17am February 19, 2015

by Michael Burke

Duke Energy expects to pay $100 million to settle a federal criminal investigation. This settlement is a result of the coal ash spill in the Dan River, just over a year ago.

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Robert Davies (standing) and the quartet during a performance of "The Crossroads Project." Musicians include (left to right) Robert Waters, Rebecca McFaul, Anne Francis Bayless and Bradley Ottesen.

Climate Scientist Tries Arts To Stir Hearts Regarding Earth's Fate

12:45pm February 17, 2015

by Joe Palca

Physicist Robert Davies worked with a classical quartet and two visual artists to create a musical performance about climate change. The music and images, he says, help the information take hold.

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