Tree loss slows, but covers area twice size of Portugal in 2014: study 2/9/2015

Tree cover lost globally eased for a third straight year in 2014, an environmental research group said, although the three-year average rose to an all-time high, with trees covering an area twice the size of Portugal lost last year. ...more

Native protesters seize oil wells in Peru to urge government action 2/9/2015

Indigenous protesters in Peru seized oil wells in an Amazonian oil block on Tuesday and said they also planned to halt output in a neighboring concession to press the government to address pollution and compensation demands. ...more

Australia, New Zealand defend climate plans, say face high costs 2/9/2015

Australia and New Zealand said on Tuesday they faced unusually high costs to cut greenhouse gas emissions because of their respective dependence on coal and livestock, after criticism that they are doing too little to tackle climate change. ...more

Climate: CO2 will forever alter key ocean microbes 2/9/2015

Like a chemistry experiment gone awry, global warming will irrevocably mutate a micro-organism that plays a crucial role in the ocean food chain, reports a study published Tuesday. ...more

Las Vegas' new ad campaign pushes 'sexy' watering habits (VIDEO) 2/9/2015

Another part of the drought-ridden West is attempting to make water conservation sexy, this time with funny ads in Las Vegas. ...more

Hydroponics in Qatar 1/9/2015

Qatar plans to grow up to 70 percent of its own vegetables by 2023. Currently under 16 percent of their veggies are locally grown. “Cutting edge technology” will underpin greater harvest, Doha’s biggest agricultural group announced last Tuesday. ...more

Obama says world must reach climate deal in Paris 'while we still can' 1/9/2015

President Barack Obama said on Monday that world leaders must agree to cut carbon emissions at a U.N. summit in December because the climate is changing faster than efforts to curb global warming. ...more

Dutch government to appeal against emissions ruling: report 1/9/2015

The Dutch government will appeal against a district court ruling ordering it to cut greenhouse gases emissions faster than currently planned, Dutch daily Trouw reported on Tuesday. ...more

Up to 90% of seabirds have plastic in their guts, study finds 1/9/2015

As many as nine out of 10 of the world’s seabirds are likely to have pieces of plastic in their guts, a new study estimates. ...more

Smoking rate among US adults drops to 15 percent 1/9/2015

The number of cigarette smokers in the United States has dropped to about 15 percent of the population, its lowest point in decades, health authorities said Tuesday. ...more