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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.

Cyclists And Drivers Vie For Space On The Road High gas prices and heightened environmental awareness have led more bicyclists to take to already-congested streets. Road rage has escalated quickly — drivers complain that cyclists ignore traffic laws and cyclists contend that drivers deliberately try to run them down. Looming Energy Crisis In Mexico Stirs Debate As production of crude oil falls in Mexico, debate continues on the issue of privatization of the oil monopoly. Without radical reform, Mexico could run out of oil in less than a decade. Moo North: Cows Sense Earth's Magnetism A team of researchers sorting through satellite images of cows in 300 pastures makes a surprising discovery: Cows tend to face either magnetic north or south when grazing or resting. Sounds From The Wild: The Laughing Kookaburra It's a common sound in the Australian bush, starting up just around daylight: the laughing call of the kookaburra. These birds get together in small groups, have a chat and then go into a full laughter song, letting other kookaburras know where their territory is. Eco-Camp Offers Lessons On Alternative Fuels At Maryland's Camp Calleva, most campers engage in typical activities like rafting, kayaking or rock climbing. But a few spend a week in a program called Building Green, learning about environmentally friendly design and alternative energy. This year's project: alternative fuels. Nano Heating Developers have created flexible sheets of 'nanoantennas' that could aid in getting energy from solar energy or from other heat sources. The sheets could harvest up to 80 percent of the infrared light that falls upon them and the researchers say the material could cost just pennies a yard. Oil Expansion Plans In L.A. Rile Residents Oil fields aren't new in Los Angeles. But with the price of crude beyond $100 a barrel, it is cost-effective to start drilling there again, in both old and new wells. And that has made some residents very unhappy. Last year, Los Angeles County had 3,400 wells in operation. Seattle's Bag-User Fee Spurs Backlash The Seattle City Council has voted to start requiring grocery stores to charge a 20 cent "user fee" for every plastic bag. But many people call the council's actions heavy-handed and the food industry is trying to repeal the measure. Some Economies Suffer As Beijing Cleans Up Air In an effort to curb air pollution for the Olympics, more than 250 factories in Beijing and nearby towns like Tangshan have been shuttered temporarily. Some factory workers are on vacation for the first time in 20 years. How Will Air Impact Track Stars? Kenneth Rahn, University of Rhode Island atmospheric chemist, discusses what sort of air quality track and field athletes are facing in Beijing this week. Has it gotten better or worse? Digging For Gas In New York Rural communities in New York and Pennsylvania have seen intense leasing activity as energy companies have turned to natural gas buried deep underground. Extraction has potential to jump-start the flagging local economy, but it has also raised environmental concerns. Calif. Requires Hybrid Cars To Make Some Noise Electric hybrid cars are quiet, and all-electric cars are even quieter. While all that's nice for passengers, it can be dangerous for pedestrians. California's legislature has passed a bill to ensure that the vehicles make enough noise that they'll be heard by sight-impaired people crossing the street. Extreme Heat A Threat To World's Poor Within the century, afternoon highs may reach temperatures that today are found only in the world's hottest deserts, says a new study. Those least able to deal with the increase in extreme heat waves — the world's poor — will be hit the hardest. Yellowstone Preview: The Dynamics Of Fire Robert Smith checks in with Weekend Edition Sunday regular host Liane Hansen, who is on assignment in Yellowstone National Park. In a preview of her September series, Hansen talks about the evolving dynamics of fire protection in the park, and reveals what "a good Elk day" is. Powered By Grease, Drivers Race to Greece In the Grease to Greece road rally kicked off in London Saturday. Teams are heading for Athens in vehicles powered by used cooking oil. The object isn't necessarily who can get to Athens first, rather it's who can get there the greenest. Andy Pag speaks with Robert Smith.