Environment

Are Doughnuts Destroying Forests?

Are Doughnuts Destroying Forests?

A conversation with a forestry expert reveals doughnuts as unlikely contributors to global deforestation.

 
Scientist Superheroes: The US Government's Crisis Science Team

Scientist Superheroes: The US Government's Crisis Science Team

If your town were suddenly struck by an earthquake or hurricane, you could count on the arrival of police, firefighters, and medical technicians to aid in the emergency response. As of this past January, the US government has added a new team of responders to this list—scientists.

 
Next Meal: Engineering Food

Next Meal: Engineering Food

Are the benefits of genetically engineered foods worth the risks? This half-hour QUEST Northern California special explores the pros and cons of genetically engineered crops, and what the future holds for research and regulations.

 
Exploring Caves in California:  An Otherworldly Experience

Exploring Caves in California: An Otherworldly Experience

While most people are out enjoying the warmer weather spring offers, there are some who cannot wait to make their way underground. With the rainy season behind us, California Caverns are opening up for those who aren't afraid of the dark.

 
Top Cats: How Pumas and Other Apex Predators' Populations Affect The Big Biodiversity Picture

Top Cats: How Pumas and Other Apex Predators' Populations Affect The Big Biodiversity Picture

Apex predators exert far-reaching effects on ecosystems that surface just decades after their disappearance. Santa Cruz researchers hope to understand how human activities and development affect how pumas use the landscape to help mitigate conflicts and plan for the species' long-term survival.

 
Air Pollution Lurks Inside Your Home

Air Pollution Lurks Inside Your Home

Californians spend over 45 billion dollars each year on health impacts due to indoor air pollution. Scientists at Berkeley Lab have identified the indoor air pollutants with the greatest health consequences, and they are now looking for ways to improve indoor air quality.

 
Another Try For California's Second National Conservation Area

Another Try For California's Second National Conservation Area

Just north of the Bay Area is a vast and varied expanse of land and water that could be in line for new federal protections. The proposed Berryessa-Snow Mountain National Conservation Area would link wilderness zones and other lands in five counties. But it’s been a tough sell in some parts.

 
Do Now #74: Earth Day

Do Now #74: Earth Day

Calling all students on this Earth Day: Do you make it a regular practice to care for the environment? If so, what do you do? If not, why?

 
Two Local Kids Are Semi-Finalists in a National Wildlife Art Contest

Two Local Kids Are Semi-Finalists in a National Wildlife Art Contest

A pair of local young artists have won a big environmental prize.

 
Fire Safety without Harm

Fire Safety without Harm

Last week, scientists and regulators from more than 20 countries gathered in San Francisco to discuss the latest research on flame retardants. The conference lasted four days, but the theme of the meeting was clear from just a few talks: Do we need toxic chemicals to achieve fire safety?

 
Beavers Return to San Jose

Beavers Return to San Jose

A family of beavers has taken up residence in the Guadalupe River, across from the HP Pavilion.

 
Navy Training Raises New Concerns for Whales off California Coast

Navy Training Raises New Concerns for Whales off California Coast

As the whale migration season reaches its peak, new concerns arise over naval training exercises off the California coast.

 
Peregrine Falcon Chicks Hatch On Easter Sunday in San Jose

Peregrine Falcon Chicks Hatch On Easter Sunday in San Jose

Peregrine falcon nest cameras in San Francisco and San Jose have been giving citizens the unique chance to watch these animals up-close since 2005.

 
Nurture/Nature: Art and our Environment

Nurture/Nature: Art and our Environment

Nature appreciation and art can combine with powerful results.

 
At Last:  Devil's Slide Tunnels Open

At Last: Devil's Slide Tunnels Open

Two new tunnels that will replace a cliffhanger drive, known as "Devil's Slide," finally open.

 
Get a Sneak Peek of San Francisco's New Exploratorium

Get a Sneak Peek of San Francisco's New Exploratorium

The Exploratorium, San Francisco's famous hands-on science museum, is moving to a new location on the Embarcadero. We got to follow along as employees packed up exhibits in the old location at the Palace of Fine Arts near the Golden Gate Bridge, and began to settle into their new spot at Pier 15.

 
San Francisco's Exploratorium is Moving, Growing — and Evolving

San Francisco's Exploratorium is Moving, Growing — and Evolving

The Exploratorium, a San Francisco icon, will soon reopen as a stunning, new, energy efficient building on the city's Embarcadero.

 
San Jose's Green Vision Helps Spur Silicon Valley Economic Growth

San Jose's Green Vision Helps Spur Silicon Valley Economic Growth

San Jose is trying to lead the country in clean tech innovation. So how is the city doing?

 
Controversial California Water Plan Takes Shape

Controversial California Water Plan Takes Shape

The latest draft fails to mollify opponents to a $23 billion-dollar plan for California’s trickiest water problem: the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

 
Arsenic and Old Wells

Arsenic and Old Wells

Six years after the EPA's new arsenic rule for drinking water went into effect, poor communities in the San Joaquin Valley—who can’t afford the costs of complying with the stricter standard—face the highest risk of exposure to unsafe arsenic levels.

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