Christian Science Monitor | Environment

Ice caps not shrinking as much as once thought, new data show

Mountain glaciers and ice caps around the globe collectively lost 148 billion tons of ice a year, according to new satellite measurements. The rate is 30 percent lower than scientists thought.

Wind power: Clean energy, dirty business?

In the developing world, where land-intensive wind turbines are being rapidly constructed, wind power has often turned clean energy into dirty business.

The 'wind rush': Green energy blows trouble into Mexico

Green energy's big success is a rude awakening in the isthmus of Mexico.

Carbon dioxide super-scrubber? Potential good news in global warming fight.

Scientists have announced a potential breakthrough in developing a new material that removes carbon dioxide from the air. CO2 scrubbing could be a useful tool against global warming.

Yellowstone grizzly bears: New cause célèbre for effects of global warming?

For the first time, a US appellate court has ruled that the federal government must continue to protect an animal – in this case, Yellowstone grizzly bears – in part because of consequences of global warming.

Global warming: winners and losers in the Arctic's 'new normal'

The Arctic Report Card study suggests that changes at the top of the world have led to unusual weather patterns, a greener Greenland, and lots of plankton. At least the whales are pleased.

The climate news is bad, but prospects for climate talks may be worse

UN-sponsored climate talks opened Monday in South Africa amid grim news on global warming and deeply divisive questions over how, or whether, to expand or extend the Kyoto Protocol.

Climate change warning: brace for hotter heat waves, stronger storms

A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects that such events are likely to occur if greenhouse-gas emissions continue unabated.

Earthquakes in Oklahoma? Is 'fracking' to blame, or something else?

Recent earthquakes in Oklahoma – the largest a magnitude 5.6 – are part of a 'swarm' of temblors to rattle the state since 2009, say geophysicists. Research suggests that the quakes are too big to chalk up to fracking to extract oil and gas.

Huge chunk of Antarctic ice sheet set to break free

A 300-square-mile portion of the Pine Island Glacier is expected to break off in the next few months, creating a massive Antarctic iceberg. The glacier is contributing the sea-level rise.

Saving US grasslands: a bid to turn back the clock on desertification

As grasslands diminish on prairies and savannas around the world, an innovative ranching technique that reverses the environmental damage of desertification makes its way to the US.

Climate study, funded in part by conservative group, confirms global warming

The latest global warming results confirm those from earlier, independent studies by scientists at NASA and elsewhere that came under fire from skeptics in an episode known as 'climategate.'

Global warming a threat to polar bears? Judge orders review of US rule.

A judge rules that the US has met its obligations for protecting polar bears, but ordered a review of a special rule that excludes greenhouse gases from the list of threats to the bears.

Worry climbs as puzzling bacteria leaves Florida palms withering

Florida horticulturists worry palm trees throughout the Sunshine State and Southeast could vanish as a new bacterial condition ravages the state’s most iconic scenery.

Daryl Hannah arrested for protesting proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline

Daryl Hannah: The star of "Splash" and the "Kill Bill" movies was arrested outside the White House in an oil pipeline protest. Daryl Hannah is a longtime environmentalist who has previously been arrested for green causes.

Labor Day weekend: aftermath of hurricane Irene may force people to change plans

Labor Day weekend: Damage from hurricane Irene has closed popular recreation areas such as parts of the White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire.

Virginia quake sets social networks abuzz with mockery

Virginia quake: Minimal damage and, for many, imperceptible shaking were the sources of many a Facebook and Twitter joke.

Fishing ban brings species back to Mexico park. But can it rebuild a fishery?

A study finds that a fishing ban at a Mexican marine park – with critical help from local residents – has successfully restored the fish population. Whether it's enough to restore the industry is not clear.

Asian carp: DNA evidence finds something fishy near Lake Michigan

The failure of a recent expedition to find any invasive Asian carp near Lake Michigan – though DNA traces say they are there – has shipping interests claiming victory and others calling foul.

Will Asian carp turn up in fishing expedition near Lake Michigan?

Federal officials start the four-day expedition Monday. Its aim is to determine whether the Asian carp has infiltrated water locks that are designed to keep the species out of Lake Michigan.