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  • Wednesday, 12 January 2011
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Environment

A cleanup worker watches a controlled burn near the Deepwater Horizon oil spill site.

Report Cites Human Error in 2010 Gulf Oil Spill

Report likely to bolster efforts by Obama administration to more tightly control offshore oil exploration and production

Afghanistan's minister of Agriculture, Asif Rahimi, leads an effort to modernize farming in his country.

Traditional Afghan Farming Gets Modern Twist

Cooperative program at Indiana's Purdue University teaches Afghan students modern agricultural skills

Dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago and scientists say the Earth's next mass extinction is happening right now.

Invasive Species Could Trigger Next Massive Extinction

Clues to a modern apocalypse found in ancient fossils

Firefighters work to extinguish forest fires in Bengkalish district of Riau province, Indonesia (file photo – 22 Oct 2010)

Indonesia Delays Start of Forest Development Moratorium

Moratorium part of $1 billion deal with Norway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation

An Indian tea worker plucks tea leaves at the Amchong tea estate in Digaru district of India's northeastern Assam state (file photo – 27 May 2010)

Climate Change Impacts India's Tea-Growing Region

Scientists say rising temperatures may be affecting plantations and production

Glow-in-the-dark watch containing radium

Watch's Deadly Glow Recalls Worker Tragedy, Triumph

'Radium Girls' cases sparked US effort to make the workplace safe

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt do Christmas shopping at a mall in Windhoek, Namibia, 23 Dec 2010

Actors Jolie, Pitt Donate $2 Million to Namibian Wildlife Sanctuary

Donation to Naankuse Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary was made through Jolie-Pitt foundation in the name actors' daughter, Shiloh

A woman fills her plastic shopping bag as she queues at the cashier of a supermarket, in Rome, Dec. 28, 2010

Italy to Ban Plastic Shopping Bags January 1

Law requires shops and markets to switch to biodegradable bags

Leaf-cutter ants have powerful blades on either side of their head.

Worker Ants Could Inspire High-Tech Tools

Leaf Cutter ants have razor sharp blades that don't fracture

Polar bear

Environmentalists Say Polar Bears Off Alaska at Risk

Experts say if nothing changes, polar bears could disappear during current century

Widespread drought could push food prices higher in 2011.

Higher Food Prices Loom in 2011

As 2010 ends, reserve supplies are tight

A worker waters the site of a rare earth metals mine at Nancheng county, Jiangxi province, China 29 Dec 2010

US Voices Concern Over China's Rare Earth Cutbacks

Officials say they are ‘very concerned’ about China’s decision, move already driving up share prices for crucial metal companies

A detail from Alexis Rockman's first panoramic painting, 'Evolution,' (1992) shows a small sampling of the animals he depicts.

Artist is Drawn to Nature's Oddities

Alexis Rockman's paintings depict nature, both real and imagined

The sun rises behind electricity pylons in Beijing, China.

2010 Proved Tough Year for Environment

Massive flooding, widespread forest fires, glacier melt, coral death