Science
Zimbabwe's farmers turn to drought-resistant grains as maize falters in drier regions
Zimbabwe has had to import maize, a staple food, for the past several years. Experts blame droughts and erratic rainfall resulting from climate change. The government is now urging farmers to grow more small grains like sorghum and millet, which are more drought-resistant.
War in Ukraine sparks fertilizer crisis that may impact the future of global food production
Critical permafrost research in Russia disrupted by war in Ukraine
Biologists describe a new owl species on Príncipe Island — and hope they can save it before it disappears
NASA’s iconic image of Earth still inspires 50 years later. Fmr astronaut Mae Jemison reflects on it.
Negotiators meet in Uruguay to map out global plastics treaty
With a 2024 completion deadline that was voted on in March, the future treaty aims to reduce plastics pollution on a global scale. Organizers plan to mitigate the costs and effects of plastic production as a whole and engage workers’ concerns within the industry.
In Spain, beekeepers continue to battle killer hornets
Europeans have been battling the Velutina hornet for about 15 years. Spanish beekeepers have sent out a mayday for help, but so far they’ve been left to defend their hives on their own.
Fast fashion is causing an environmental disaster in Chile's Atacama Desert
Some 59,000 tons of unwanted clothing arrive in Chile each year from places like Europe, Asia and the United States. But because it is illegal to dump them in landfills, they often end up in places like the Atacama Desert in the north of the country, where they harm the environment.
Chile tries to protect its 'flowering desert' from climate change, tourists
Parts of the Atacama Desert have turned into a blooming carpet of flowers — an incredible sight that only happens a couple of times every decade. To protect the phenomenon, Chile's president has announced the creation of a new national park.
Kyrgyzstan’s walnut forests dwindle with increased cattle farming, climate change
Climate change and increased cattle farming have created intense pressure on Kyrgyzstan’s walnut forest — the largest one on Earth. A new app helps herders to better monitor and manage their pastures in an effort to protect the walnut forests.
Mysterious drop in loon population prompts cross-border collaborations in North America
Loons are having fewer and smaller chicks, which are less likely to survive. Most surprisingly, young, non-breeding adults are also dramatically in decline — but no one knows why. Volunteers from Canada and the United States are on a quest for answers.
Electric vehicles are gaining popularity across China as govt creates incentives
China started investing in new electric vehicles years ago. This year, about 25% of new cars sold there are electric. They're gaining in popularity, especially among the younger generation.
NASA spacecraft successfully crashes into asteroid during space defense test
A NASA spacecraft has successfully made impact with an asteroid in an unprecedented practice run to thwart potential incoming threats to Earth.
People shouldn’t put their guard down when it comes to COVID, Fauci says
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease specialist, joined The World's host Marco Werman to assess the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect briefly on five decades of service in public health.
A vegan bacon revolution takes hold in France
La Vie, a plant-based food startup in France, is on a mission to start a vegan bacon revolution and has tested products that taste almost like the real thing. Pork lobbyists are not too happy about it.