Pipeline’s permit a political problem for Obama

(Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST)

The permit for the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline extension has become a high-profile political headache for the Obama administration.

Head of DOE program to quit amid Solyndra controversy

(Pool / GETTY IMAGES)

Jonathan Silver has come under fire from congressional Republicans since the solar manufacturer Solyndra declared bankruptcy Aug. 31.

E.U. can force U.S. airlines to buy carbon permits, court adviser says

(Andrew Harrer / BLOOMBERG)

The European Union has the legal right to force foreign airlines to pay for their carbon emissions, an adviser to Europe’s highest court said.

Pipeline foes seek records on lobbyists

Environmental groups are demanding more public documents regarding a controversial oil pipeline and lobbyists connected to the Obama administration.

Some sharks have highly evolved eyes

(STR / AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

Several deepwater sharks have evolved visual abilities that allow them to detect predators and prey.

Solar flares may be felt on Earth

Solar flares may be felt on Earth

The sun has been quiet for years, at the nadir of its activity cycle. But since February, our star has been spitting out flares and plasma like an angry dragon.

Lawns can be both green and green

Lawns can be both green and green

For an eco-friendly lawn, avoid over-reliance on herbicides, pesticides and fungicides.

Storm season on deadly path

Storm season on deadly path

President Obama will meet with victims of Sunday’s devastating tornado.

American crocs with African origins

American crocs with African origins

Analysis of DNA suggests that crocodiles crossed the Atlantic from Africa millions of years ago.

Japanese scientist says nuclear meltdown began within hours

Japanese scientist says nuclear meltdown began within hours

Nuclear fuel at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant began melting five hours after Japan’s March 11 quake.

A major revision for gas mileage labels

A major revision for gas mileage labels

The Department of Transportation and the EPA have undertaken the first major revision in gas mileage labels in 30 years.

Health, Science & Environment Videos

21 have now died from listeria poisoning

Video: 21 have now died from listeria poisoning

21 people have now died from listeria poisoning. (Oct. 8)
21 have now died from listeria poisoning

21 have now died from listeria poisoning

21 people have now died from listeria poisoning. (Oct. 8)
Cheetah cubs a conservation success

Cheetah cubs a conservation success

Cheetahs remain endangered, with just a few thousand left in the wild. So the birth of not one, but eight healthy cubs at a ranch in South Africa is great news for their preservation. (Oct. 5)
Daniel Shechtman wins Nobel Prize in chemistry

Daniel Shechtman wins Nobel Prize in chemistry

Israeli scientist Daniel Shechtman has won the 2011 Nobel Prize in chemistry. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences cited Shechtman "for the discovery of quasicrystals." (Oct. 5)
Ariz. dust storm causes pileups

Ariz. dust storm causes pileups

A blinding dust storm has caused three different pileups along a major interstate in Arizona, killing one man and injuring more than 15 other people. Officials say 22 vehicles were involved in the three crashes along Interstate 10. (Oct. 4)
Trio shares Nobel Prize in physics

Trio shares Nobel Prize in physics

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences says Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt and Adam Riess will share the 2011 Nobel Prize in physics. The trio was honored Tuesday for their work on the expansion of the universe. (Oct. 4)
Waxahachie chemical plant fire rages

Waxahachie chemical plant fire rages

A large fire consumes a chemical manufacturing plant in Waxahachie, Texas, letting off large plumes of black smoke. (Oct. 3)
Three share Nobel Prize in medicine

Three share Nobel Prize in medicine

The Nobel committee announced today that American Bruce Beutler and Luxembourg-born Jules Hoffmann will share the Nobel medicine prize with Canadian Ralph Steinman, a professor at Rockefeller University in New York. (Oct. 3)
SpaceX chief details reusable rocket

SpaceX chief details reusable rocket

Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX discussed plans for a reusable rocket that will land on legs. He says it can be quickly returned to space. (Sept. 29)
Evacuations, flooding in Asia

Evacuations, flooding in Asia

A tropical storm barreled toward Vietnam Friday, forcing 20,000 people to be evacuated, as Philippines deals with widespread flooding. (Sept. 30)
Frank and Louie, the two-faced cat

Frank and Louie, the two-faced cat

His name is Frank and Louie, and he's just entered the record books. He's now the longest-living cat with two faces, also known as a Janus cat. (Sept. 29)
Jewelry industry to limit toxic cadmium

Jewelry industry to limit toxic cadmium

How much cadmium goes into children's trinkets will be regulated by the jewelry industry, which says it will adhere to voluntary limits. The metal can cause cancer and other diseases. (Sept. 26)
Astronomer captures satellite falling to Earth

Astronomer captures satellite falling to Earth

Video captured by an amateur French astronomer purports to show the defunct NASA UARS satellite as it falls toward Earth (no audio).

Post Carbon

Study: Ice sheets melting, sea level rising faster than previously thought

The vast ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica are melting faster than previously thought, and that melting is accelerating, concludes a new report that verifies 18 years of melting via two independent techniques.

EPA: Proposed House budget cuts would harm public health

Jackson said the House Republicans' plan to cut more than $3 billion from the EPA would have a major impact. "Big polluters would flout legal restrictions on dumping contaminants into the air." But Republicans new EPA regulations overstep its authority under the Clean Air Act.

EPA administrator told Senate committee that Clean Air Act saves lives

Lisa Jackson warns lawmakers that proposed budget cuts would undermine efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay, other sensitive areas.

The Green Lantern

Green Lantern for 4/12/11

Can hemp help the environment?

Is hemp as good for the environment as a lot of people claim?

It’s hard to say whether grass-fed or corn-fed cows are better for the Earth

The Green Lantern: It’s hard to say whether grass-fed or corn-fed cows are better for the Earth.

Green Lantern 4/19/11

Big Chew a blight on society?

The Green Lantern: Is chewing gum bad for the environment?

Special Report

Exploring Antarctica

Exploring Antarctica

The frozen landscape, dry valleys and active volcanoes that make up Antarctica provide a living laboratory for scientific study and a wondrous journey for those traveling to the ends of the Earth.

Urban Jungle

Fall foliage map

Fall foliage map

Higher latitudes and altitudes get fiery first.

Featured Galleries

Climate change in 2010

A look back at the biggest climate change stories of 2010, including the Gulf oil spill and flooding in Pakistan.

Cancun climate talks

Nearly 200 nations were represented at the U.N.-sponsored climate talks in Cancun, Mexico in late 2010.

Saving tropical forests

Explore the natural beauty of some of the U.S., Canada and Mexico’s forests.