Observatory's Areas
From Observatory
The Observatory explores many areas:
Explore our Environment collection:
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Not only does hydroelectric power fail to prevent catastrophic climate change, but it also renders countries more vulnerable to climate change while emitting significant amounts of methane, one of the worst greenhouse gases.
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energy, human rights, nature, Renewable energy, rivers |
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Fossil fuel stakeholders have been seeking new revenue in the petrochemical industry in general, and plastics in particular.
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environment, ocean, plastic, waste |
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We can no longer rely on simple solutions like recycling to solve our plastic waste problem.
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climate change, environment |
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It’s time to rethink our broken and unfair family planning systems.
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children, environment, family planning, politics, population, sustainability |
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Here are five surprising ways to reconsider your backyard so it can promote native plants while also protecting wildlife.
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animal rights, environment |
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Using the same land for the production of both agriculture and solar energy is a win-win for the climate and farmers.
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agriculture, energy, environment, renewable energy, solar |
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Smaller, more sustainable families would create massive long-term savings and catalyze sustainable development.
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children, environment, family planning, philosophy, politics, public health, sustainability |
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When it comes to maintaining energy flows, there is a closing window to avert both climate catastrophe and economic peril.
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climate change, economy, energy, environment, fossil fuel, gas, global warming, oil |
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It’s a harsh reality for the climate: What’s already been emitted must be sucked out of the air, too.
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climate change, environment, science, technology |
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Higher carbon dioxide levels and warmer temperatures are causing plants to increase their pollen production.
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botany, climate change, environment, health |
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Despite industry rhetoric, hydropower is high-cost and high-risk. There are better options for a renewable energy future.
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activism, climate change, dam, economy, environment, humanr, indigenous resistance, rivers |
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Under the cover of greenwashing, global insurers are fueling climate change.
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The eco-footprint of the wine industry is significant, and some wineries are taking steps to reduce their impact. For conscious consumers, it’s about knowing what to look for.
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environment, food, organic, sustainability, vegan, wine |
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Many nonprofits have accepted family planning policies that are harmful to women, children, and the environment.
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environment, family planning, nonprofit |
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Several EU nations have embraced biomass electricity, which speeds up carbon emissions, pollution and forest destruction.
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energy, environment, europe, renewable energy |
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Livestock waste can contain dangerous pathogens, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
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agriculture, animal rights, environment, food |
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A key to fighting climate change could be right under our feet.
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No version of “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS), part of the Clean Water Act, adequately protects the nation’s natural areas.
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environment |
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America’s highest court has limited the EPA’s authority to regulate power plant emissions.
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climate change, environment, law, politics, Supreme Court |
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Time-proven acequia irrigation systems already in use in New Mexico make it possible for people to thrive in arid regions.
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agriculture, ancient, drought, environment, farming, irrigation, science, southwest, Water |
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American veterans poisoned at Camp Lejeune can finally seek justice, thanks to a new law.
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environment, health, military, veteran |
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We can empower children to be a part of the solution.
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children, climate change, education |
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Experts warn that continued world population growth will make things worse.
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climate change, community, environment, human rights |
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By focusing the climate fight on what we emit, not what we consume, we are destined to fail.
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As a rapidly warming world strains at the shortcomings in industrial farming, key lessons can be taken from Indigenous practices.
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agriculture, climate change, environment, farming, Indigenous |
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To prevent the worst climate scenarios, carbon emissions must be slashed to net-zero by 2050.
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climate change, energy, environment, renewable energy |
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Eating locally reduces your ecological footprint, but studies show what you eat may be even more important.
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climate change, environment, food, locavorism, science |
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Water pressures like droughts are intensifying due to global warming and population growth. Treating wastewater is a powerful solution, finally gaining more public support.
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environment, science, water |
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Middle school student activists write to their elected representatives to urge climate action.
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activism, children, climate change, education, environment, schools |
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We have a new major environmental problem on our hands.
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environment, pharmaceuticals, pollution |
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As the world burns—and as kids sound the alarm—the original environmental scientist is worth revisiting.
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biography, climate, climate change, environment, history, nature |
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The average American believes the false narrative that natural gas is a “clean fuel.”
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climate change, energy, environment |
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Plastic is in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. How does it get there—and what does it mean for human health?
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environment, plastic |
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Most plastic is tossed after minutes of use, but its impact on wildlife and the environment can last for centuries.
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animal rights, animals, birds, climate, environment, marine, ocean, plastic |
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If it wasn’t shade-grown, your coffee most likely destroyed forest cover and wildlife habitat.
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agriculture, animal rights, biodiversity, coffee, environment, food |
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The industrialized food system is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, but it is not a major topic at climate talks.
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agriculture, animal rights, climate change, emissions, environment, food |
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Americans discard 100 billion plastic bags annually, the equivalent of 12 million barrels of oil.
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environment, plastic |
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Palm oil is found in 50 percent of all consumer goods. And it’s killing the environment.
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africa, agriculture, animal rights, climate change, consumer, environment, farming, food, forest, human rights, social justice |
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The climate crisis is a form of oppression by a wealthy few.
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environment, family planning, overpopulation |
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Biodiversity is plummeting, but restoring rivers could quickly reverse this disastrous trend.
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activism, africa/tanzania, animal rights, asia/china, asia/india, brazil, climate change, environment, indigenous resistance, social justice, south america, women's rights |
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The destruction of nature might one day become a criminal offense adjudicated by the International Criminal Court.
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activism, environment, law |
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Managing solar radiation through technology is possible, but there are ethical and political concerns.
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climate change, environment, politics, science, technology |
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Modern sustainability evolved from forest management of the 18th century, and its ancient roots go back even further. Could it help with today’s climate crisis and lumber shortage?
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Asia, Canada, Central America, Climate Change, Economy, Egypt, Environment, Europe, Germany, History, India, Iraq, Italy, Mexico, Middle East, North America, Opinion, Science, Social Benefits, Syria, United States of America |
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A genetically engineered chestnut tree may be the first to spread into forests, setting dangerous global precedents.
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agriculture, chestnut, environment, genetic engineering, genetic modification, science, tree |
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Progress is being undone by growth, especially as the climate crisis deepens.
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climate change, environment, overpopulation, population |
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It is clear that plastic is choking the planetary environment. What is less clear is the impact of plastic on human bodies.
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environment, health, plastic |
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If the internet were a country, it would be the sixth biggest user of electricity.
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environment, technology |
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Americans eat more meat per capita than any other country, even though meat consumption is linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
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Electromagnetic radiation from Wi-Fi and cell towers may pose a “credible risk” to birds, mammals, insects, and even plants.
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5G, animal rights, cell phones, electromagnetic, emf, environment, health, technology, wildlife, wireless |
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Renewable energy isn’t replacing fossil fuel energy—it’s adding to it.
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climate change, energy, environment |
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By turning wastewater into drinking water, our existing water supplies could go further.
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environment, water |
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Wall Street’s dirtiest secret is how fossil fuel expansion depends on Big Bank finance.
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banking, climate change, energy, environment, finance, fossil fuel, peace economy |
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Chemicals commonly found in consumer products have been proven to harm human health, yet they still remain legal stateside.
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activism, economy, environment, food, healthcare, law, opinion, science |
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Veganic agriculture is the food revolution for the modern world.
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agriculture, environment, farming, food, sustainability |
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A changing climate and population growth are fueling water-based conflicts across the African continent.
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africa, climate, climate change, conflict, drought, environment, food, global warming, public health, water, wildlife |
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Wet markets are perfect breeding grounds for pathogens that can jump from animals to humans.
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agriculture, animal rights, environment, food, health care |
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Endangered animals may get more attention from the public, but without plants, humans won’t survive.
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biodiversity, botany, climate change, Endangered, extinction, Hawaii |
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Major U.S. brands are ignoring the enormous environmental destruction caused by their meat suppliers.
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COVID-19, SARS, and Ebola were transmitted to humans from wild animals living in tropical forests. Destroying their habitats is killing us.
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animal rights, environment, health |
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A city in the middle of the desert with less rainfall than any other in the nation was bound to have a water problem.
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environment, water |
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Less than 10 percent of the plastic used in the United States is recycled.
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environment, plastic, recycling |
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Women are more supportive of pro-environmental policies, but they’re generally not in a position to make such decisions.
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economy, environment, science, women |
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Cataclysmic wildfires have been increasing in intensity and frequency due to human-caused climate change.
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animal rights, animals, climate change, environment, science |
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A product of entrenched, historic racism, “sacrifice zones”—designed to site pollution hot spots within communities of color—are a frontline in a largely silent, often deadly, and steadily growing health crisis across the United States.
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