Earth

As the world’s farmers strive to produce more food, they rely on ever-increasing quantities of pesticides—which includes products to kill weeds, insects, and any other organisms that might threaten crops. Environmental groups warn that the extra food comes at a heavy cost, however, of severe harms to the health of farmers, consumers, and ecosystems everywhere.

BrightSource Energy shows that storage can make solar power more viable.

Global demand for food is expected to double by 2050, which will put more pressure on the world’s farmers to increase production. But these efforts could also increase carbon dioxide in the air and nitrogen in the soil and contribute to species extinction.

• Stemming climate change at no more than 2° Celsius — the scientifically recognized threshold for dangerous warming — seems at this point practically impossible.
• The Maldives Islands may disappear into the Indian Ocean by the end of this century.
• Industrialized nations won’t really curb their carbon-dioxide emissions; they’ll just outsource the pollution to developing countries.
• and more …

Growing populations will put ever-increasing demands on the croplands that provide food, fuel, fiber, soil protection, wildlife habitats, and other vital services.

Physicists seek ways to harvest “junk” energy in the environment.

By Richard Louv

A best-selling author argues that our relationship with our natural environment is in jeopardy, imperiling our future well-being. But the growing trend of social networking may in fact inspire new tools to help us restore nature to our lives.