Search results for

The Environmental Protection Agency is tightening the standard for how much soot in the air is safe to breathe. Fine particles come from the combustion of fossil fuels by cars and industrial facilities. They're linked to all kinds of health problems, including heart attacks and lung ailments like asthma. States will be required to clean up their air to the level specified by the new standard.

Coast Guard teams have been dispatched to help determine the extent of the damage from the spill, which is situated roughly two miles off the Louisiana coast. Officials say the source remains unclear.

New research published in the journal Nature suggests that mass deforestation and fire have dramatically undercut the Amazon's ability to absorb heat-trapping carbon emissions.

Republican leaders promise to make oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge a key part of the national energy policy debate next year. Conservationists promise to fight the proposal -- and some wish they could call on Mardy Murie for help. NPR's Howard Berkes profiles one of the nation's greatest champions of wild areas, now 100 years old. View a photo galley and video of highlights from Murie's life.

Gabriel Boric, 35, defeated a far-right lawmaker in a divisive election. Poised to become Chile's youngest modern president, he's vowed to expand social services and boost environmental protections.

Seven people in the Ivory Coast have died and thousands have become sick because of toxic chemical waste dumped around the capital city of Abidjan. The victims began vomiting and suffering breathing difficulties and migraines after breathing fumes from the waste. Host Debbie Elliott talks to the BBC's James Copnall, who is in Abidjan.

The Starbucks coffee company views China as the fastest growing market for its products outside of the United States. The company already has more than 140 stores in China. As part of this week's series on U.S. relations with China, Steve Inskeep speaks with Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz.

A new report concludes that current laws and regulations aren't adequate to guard against potential environmental and health hazards from the tiny new products produced by nanotechnology.

A listening session on the upcoming Farm Bill was held recently in Binghamton.

With the Supreme Court having ruled against affirmative action policies in higher education, some legal experts worry about the future of workplace diversity, equity and inclusion programs.