world news

We could learn a lot from the humble flower

Flowers bounce back quickly from just about any kind of injury. Perhaps we can learn from them.



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world news

Pakistan sees a surge in honey production

Pakistan is turning around its struggling honey industry with the addition of hundreds of trees.



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world news

New Zealand calls for thousands of new 'green' jobs in bold comeback plan

New Zealand's Green Party unveils a billion-dollar plan for an environmentally friendly economy in the aftermath of COVID-19.



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world news

As cities grow, so does the need for urban trees

A U.S. Forest Service study stresses the economic importance of urban canopies, which already provide a big health value.



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world news

This scientific breakthrough could jumpstart the revival of the Great American Barrier Reef

The Florida Aquarium has discovered how ridged coral reproduce, which had previously been a mystery.



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Tour operators are using their down time to plant new corals in the Great Barrier Reef

Australian diving tour companies are working with scientists to restore the coral reefs.



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A suburb in Costa Rica gives citizenship to plants, trees, and bees

Green spaces are incorporated into urban planning in Curridabat, a suburb to San Jose, Costa Rica.



  • Wilderness & Resources

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'Rebel botanists' use sidewalk chalk to help people connect with nature

Botanists identify wild plants with sidewalk chalk to help draw attention to nature and discourage pesticide use.



  • Wilderness & Resources

world news

The rise and free fall of gas prices

Why gas is so cheap -- and why it won't stay that way.



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world news

How do El Niño and La Niña work?

La Niña's return and looming climate change put the tropical Pacific back in the spotlight.



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world news

How much renewable energy do we use?

As Uncle Sam scrambles to revitalize the economy, many are wondering: Is renewable doable?



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Are salmonella outbreaks getting worse?

Some say evolving bugs and lax oversight are making salmonella even more dangerous.



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world news

Which countries produce the most CO2?

The U.S. and China are forming an uneasy alliance as the world warms and a U.N. climate conference looms.



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world news

The ups and downs of nuclear power

With renewed momentum but no plans to store its waste, American nuclear energy sits in limbo.



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world news

Which cars are best and worst for fuel efficiency?

Hybrid sales are down, but federal efficiency rules could fuel a comeback.



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world news

Which U.S. cities are most energy-efficient?

Cities are already more energy-efficient than rural areas, but they'll still need to improve as their populations swell.



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world news

Which household items contain mercury?

Despite being phased out of many products, mercury still lurks in our homes.



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world news

How to save water

There's a lot you can do to save water. Here's a brief rundown from your friends at the Mother Nature Network that includes methods for saving water with your s



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world news

What happened to the Everglades?

The subtropical swamp fights for survival in an environmental quagmire.



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world news

Is corn ethanol worth the trouble?

It can be better for the climate than gasoline, but this colorless liquid isn't always as green as it seems.



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world news

What causes lightning?

As summer thunderstorms loom across the U.S., MNN sheds some light on lightning -- one of the deadliest and least-understood weather events on Earth.



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world news

A shadow of a drought

Long-running water shortages have plagued the U.S. from California to Carolina in recent years.



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world news

Are small particulates a big deal?

U.S. particulate pollution isn't the deadly threat it once was, but the dangerously tiny specks still often plague big cities as well as rural wilderness.



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Where does coal come from?

Coal is a cornerstone of modern life, but its foundations pre-date the dinosaurs.



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world news

How does El Niño affect hurricanes?

The Atlantic hurricane season woke up early in 2009, fired off a weak tropical depression that didn't threaten land, and then hit snooze for two months.



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world news

Urban or rural: Which is more energy-efficient?

Most Americans live in urban areas, forming huge hot spots of energy consumption. But while rural residents use less energy overall, cities are often slicker ab



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world news

How much mercury is in the fish we eat?

Fish are one of the healthiest foods on Earth, but many are brimming with toxic mercury.



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world news

Overfishing: Are there really plenty of fish in the sea?

Overfishing sent many U.S. fisheries into free fall last century. Can a new focus on sustainability save fish and fishermen from going extinct?



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world news

BPA: Is plastic poisoning our food?

It's almost inescapable, and while the FDA says BPA is safe at normal levels, a growing body of research has begun to suggest otherwise.



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world news

Glacial profiling: Are glaciers on thin ice?

Glaciers around the world are melting faster than usual, threatening to eliminate some of our largest and oldest freshwater sources. Should we be worried?



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world news

How dependent are we on foreign oil?

As the U.S. considers new offshore drilling operations, a major motivator is reducing its reliance on foreign oil. Here's a look at where U.S. oil imports come



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world news

Will oil and hurricanes raise gas prices?

As oil pours into the Gulf of Mexico and a potentially wild hurricane season looms, many Americans are worried that gas prices might go into overdrive.



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world news

What causes hurricanes?

Hurricanes are more than just thunderstorms on steroids, here's how hurricanes form, and what you can do to be ready for one.



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world news

Endangered species: Where are they now?

The U.S. endangered species list isn't all gloom and doom: Just ask a bald eagle. Nonetheless, 93 species have joined the list for every one it's saved.



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world news

Are mosquitoes becoming more dangerous?

From West Nile virus to dengue fever, mosquitoes seem to be getting better at sneaking diseases into the U.S. lately. It's just a hint of what's to come.



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world news

Is organic food worth the cost?

U.S. organic farming has grown wildly in the last two decades, but with food demand rising and many cash-strapped shoppers pinching pennies, are greener acres s



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world news

What's killing all the coral?

A process known as "coral bleaching" has triggered near-record rates of death and dormancy in coral reefs. At least 19 percent of Earth's coral reefs are dead.



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world news

Big frack attack: Is hydraulic fracturing safe?

What is fracking and is fracking safe? The controversial natural gas drilling technique has some wondering if a U.S. natural gas boom is worth the risks.



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world news

The rising threat of radon

A silent killer lurks undetected in millions of U.S. homes, and winter is its peak season. Find out how to stop it.



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world news

Interactive: Explore the surface of Mars

Explore 12 of the most intriguing places on Mars with this interactive guide from MNN.



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world news

Flaking out: How snow forms

As snow bombards the U.S. this winter, MNN takes a look at how Mother Nature produces something so delicate and so dangerous.



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world news

Road salt's Catch-22: It works, but at a price

Salt saves lives on icy roads, but it can have the opposite effect in nearby ecosystems. Here's a look at the pros and cons of it and other de-icers.



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world news

What causes tornadoes?

The U.S. has more tornadoes than anywhere else on Earth, but their sudden twists and turns still make them mysterious and mesmerizing.



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world news

Earthquakes: Finding fault with nature

As Japan recovers from a massive earthquake, here's a look at why such tremors happen and where the next one might strike.



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world news

Are wildfires getting worse?

The U.S. has had several wild years of wildfires, and scientists say climate change is likely fanning the flames.



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world news

How floods happen, and how to be safe

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Here's a closer look at how they occur and how to stay safe.



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world news

How does the flu work?

It's just a tiny, mindless bundle of genes, but the flu has the power to hijack our bodies, turn us against each other and even cripple human civilization.



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world news

How polluted is U.S. drinking water?

Water quality in the U.S. is better than it used to be, but plenty of old and new dangers still lurk beneath the surface.



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world news

Are fireworks bad for the environment?

Fireworks can unleash a shower of toxins into soil and water, and scientists are only beginning to figure out what that means for human health.



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world news

Which U.S. volcanoes are most dangerous?

With more than 160 active volcanoes, the United States is at greater risk from eruptions than many people realize.



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