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Energy and the Environment

List of Energy and the Environment articles

A person with a small dog stands in front of a blue pond, with snow-topped mountains and a bright blue sky in the background. The person is on a gravel surface surrounded by white fences, with light brown shrubs all around the area.
A person with a small dog stands in front of a blue pond, with snow-topped mountains and a bright blue sky in the background. The person is on a gravel surface surrounded by white fences, with light brown shrubs all around the area.

The Hidden Tradeoffs of Climate Policy

Today’s green dogmas cannot give us an energy transition that is fast, just, and sustainable—all at the same time.

The wind blows a plastic bag past the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing on Jan. 23, 2008.
The wind blows a plastic bag past the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing on Jan. 23, 2008.

The Olympics Have a Dirty History—Literally

But a green sports movement is pushing for change, eager to see if Paris will be different.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen straight on as he attends an Orthodox Easter service. Putin wears a black suit and dark tie and a serious expression. Colorful drapes or curtains hang slightly out of focus behind him.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen straight on as he attends an Orthodox Easter service. Putin wears a black suit and dark tie and a serious expression. Colorful drapes or curtains hang slightly out of focus behind him.

Russian Oil Is Still Paying for Putin’s War

After initial success, Western energy sanctions are stalling out.

Protesters hold placards during a demonstration near the U.S. Embassy in Manila.
Protesters hold placards during a demonstration near the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Anti-Terrorism Laws Are Being Used Against Environmentalists

Governments from Manila to Atlanta are targeting climate activists.

A woman's face is obscured by a souvenir fan from Rome, Italy.
A woman's face is obscured by a souvenir fan from Rome, Italy.

Countering Europe’s Backlash to the Green Transition

A sustainable future is still possible—even amidst a radically altered political climate.

New electric cars for sale are seen parked at a distribution center of the Changan automobile company in southwestern China's Chongqing municipality on March 24, 2024.
New electric cars for sale are seen parked at a distribution center of the Changan automobile company in southwestern China's Chongqing municipality on March 24, 2024.

The Fight Over China’s Electric Cars Is Upside-Down

Why Europe’s car companies are against—and environmentalists are for—making Chinese EVs more expensive.

An aerial view shows long, narrow ponds filled with a thick brine, dug into the bed of a dry lake in the desert in Nevada. Piles of white minerals are mounded between the ponds.
An aerial view shows long, narrow ponds filled with a thick brine, dug into the bed of a dry lake in the desert in Nevada. Piles of white minerals are mounded between the ponds.

Washington Wants a White Gold Rush

The Biden administration looks to domestic lithium mining to boost U.S. energy security and counter China.

Three fishermen in a traditional vote ride the top of a wave as they had out to see. The lights of a gas terminal are seen on the horizon.
Three fishermen in a traditional vote ride the top of a wave as they had out to see. The lights of a gas terminal are seen on the horizon.

The Empty Promise of Africa’s Oil and Gas Boom

The continent is awash in fossil fuel discoveries. But relying on them for development will be disastrous.

Aerial view of a deforested area of the Amazonia rainforest in the surroundings of the BR-319 highway at the city of Humaita, Amazonas state, Brazil, on Sept. 15, 2022.
Aerial view of a deforested area of the Amazonia rainforest in the surroundings of the BR-319 highway at the city of Humaita, Amazonas state, Brazil, on Sept. 15, 2022.

Relieve Debt to Protect the Environment

Debt-for-nature swaps on a grand scale could slow climate change and promote economic growth in the Global South.

This undated photo shows a rat in the a
This undated photo shows a rat in the a

Are Rats Actually That Bad?

The rodent’s reputation, revamped.

Signage indicating directions at Nusantara, the future capital city of Indonesia, in East Kalimantan.
Signage indicating directions at Nusantara, the future capital city of Indonesia, in East Kalimantan.

Indonesia’s New Capital Is a Mess of Trees and Dirt

Environmental questions linger over the Nusantara project.

A general view of the Paleisheuwel solar plant, which was established by Italy-based Enel Green Power, in partnership with South African electricity public utility Eskom, in Paleisheuwel, South Afrcia on June 5. This solar plant can produce 82MW of electricity, which can power 48000 households.
A general view of the Paleisheuwel solar plant, which was established by Italy-based Enel Green Power, in partnership with South African electricity public utility Eskom, in Paleisheuwel, South Afrcia on June 5. This solar plant can produce 82MW of electricity, which can power 48000 households.

Why South Africa Won’t Be Going Green

Clean energy was not a priority for voters—and a weakened ANC will make climate-friendly policies even less likely.

A worker walks past scorched equipment in a turbine hall at a destroyed power plant in an undisclosed location in Ukraine.
A worker walks past scorched equipment in a turbine hall at a destroyed power plant in an undisclosed location in Ukraine.

Putin Cuts Ukraine’s Power

With constant assaults on the electricity grid, Moscow is adding an explosive twist to an old playbook.

Residents look on from their flooded house after heavy rainfall in Kaduwela on the outskirts of Colombo.
Residents look on from their flooded house after heavy rainfall in Kaduwela on the outskirts of Colombo.

Who Pays for Climate Action?

Small island states are pointing the way on finding innovative funding.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivers her speech during the Green Deal Summit 2023 on  September 26, 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivers her speech during the Green Deal Summit 2023 on September 26, 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic.

Europe’s Green Moment Is Over

After years of riding high, EU elections are about to send the continent’s green parties back to earth.

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