NPR Topics: Environment

Breaking news on the environment, climate change, pollution, and endangered species. Also featuring Climate Connections, a special series on climate change co-produced by NPR and National Geographic.

Battle Over Ivory, Tuna Expected At Wildlife Meeting 12 Mar 2010, 5:00 am

Wildlife experts convene next week in the city of Doha in Qatar to consider how to control the trade in rare animals and plants. Trade in elephant ivory continues to be a contentious issue. And this year sees a brand new effort to move offshore and protect some of the ocean’s most charismatic and sought-after species.

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Druid Peak Pack Down To Lone Wolf 9 Mar 2010, 8:00 pm

The Druid Peak Pack, the most closely watched and photographed wolf pack in the world, is down to its last wolf. For 14 years, the Druids were the dominant pack in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley. Biologist Doug Smith, leader of the Yellowstone Wolf Project, offers his insight.

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Red Carpet Awaits The Star In The ‘Eco-Dress’ 6 Mar 2010, 1:00 pm

At the Oscars this year, one star will grace the red carpet with an “eco-dress.”

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Can Technology Solve Nuclear’s Problems? 5 Mar 2010, 6:00 pm

President Obama has pledged support for nuclear power, but problems including how to dispose of the waste persist. Ira Flatow and guests look at the latest nuclear technology, from microreactors to waste storage, and compare the cost of nuclear to other energy sources.

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Changing Behaviors To Save Energy 5 Mar 2010, 6:00 pm

Energy Star labels and miles-per-gallon vehicle ratings aren’t enticing enough consumers toward energy-saving options, according to economist Hunt Allcott. Allcott explains how new research in behavioral economics might help lead consumers to more energy-efficient choices.

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Yucca Mountain As Metaphor in About A Mountain 5 Mar 2010, 6:00 pm

When writer John D’Agata moved his mother to the suburbs of Las Vegas, he began looking at the history of the government’s plan to store nuclear waste deep in Nevada’s Yucca Mountain. The resulting boo—-- About a Mountai—– is a reporter’s notebook that reads like poetry.

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6.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Taiwan 4 Mar 2010, 1:42 am

The quake Thursday morning caused power outages and buildings to sway hundreds of miles to the north. Local news reports said at least one person was injured.

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Creatures From A Distant Planet? 3 Mar 2010, 7:26 pm

Right here, right where we live, are creatures so extraordinarily spooky, in landscapes so deeply strange, they might as well be on the Planet Zantar.

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The New Republic: How Good Is Wal-Mart’s Green? 28 Feb 2010, 11:48 pm

It’s a fairly big deal that Wal-Mart announced plans to reduce 20 million tons of greenhouse-gas emissions from its suppliers by 2015. But Bradford Plumer wonders if this could really offset the company’s damage.

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New Research Sheds Light On Antarctic Ice Melting 28 Feb 2010, 8:00 pm

There may be no polar bears at the South Pole, but there sure is a lot of ice. In fact, more than 90 percent of the Earth’s glacial ice is in Antarctica. Now, new research shows the continent’s ice is melting in more places than previously known. Host Guy Raz speaks to scientist Jane Ferrigno of the U.S. Geological Survey about the Antarctic Peninsula’s ice retreat.

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