Wednesday, 23 May, 2012

Water shortages loom as world population and economy soar. American Southwest, Egypt, Iraq, China. People are getting thirsty pretty much around the world. How does this matter?

Fungus that caused Irish potato famine is back, threatening potato crops around the world. How did the blight change world history, and what is being done to prevent another blight?

Tropical botanists strive to save rain forest plants and ecosystems. What is the role of plants in traditional society? Can plant-derived chemicals become a valuable commodity — and help preserve natural places?

World population has reached 6 billion. What does this mean for the environment, resources, humanity? Six billion people on Earth — is that a good thing?

How wildlife is changing our cities and suburbs: Cats kill birds. Deer destroy plants. Raccoons deal death.

Diseases in the oceans are making people sick: Sewage, cholera, toxic algae, pollution on the reef. We’re afraid to say it’s enough to make a swimming pool sound good!

Teaching animals to survive in the wild: Keiko the whole, the whooping crane, and the golden lion tamarin.

Shrinking resources on Earth: Want to try living without fish or chocolate?

For the first time since 1989, ivory will be on the market — legally. This will protect elephants?