Matt Smith
We've Passed Peak El Niño — But Many More Months of Extreme Weather Is Likely
The periodic warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean likely contributed to extreme weather around the world this year, which was the hottest ever recorded.
Environmentalists Sue the Oil Companies Allegedly Causing Oklahoma's Big Earthquakes
Oklahoma use to see two or three earthquakes a year — but now there are that many each day due to the number of wells being drilled in the state.
Hunters Descend on Southern Florida for Annual Python Hunt
Hunters can keep the skins — but Florida wildlife officials warn against eating the meat because of high levels of mercury.
Scientists Detect Gravitational Waves, Confirming Einstein's Theory About Ripples in the Space-Time Continuum
The collision of two black holes 1.3 billion years ago shook the fabric of space and time so violently that the ripples were picked up by specialized observatories in Washington state and Louisiana on Sept. 14.
Human Rights Complaint Filed Against ‘Eco-Guards’ Who Terrorize African Pygmies
The World Wildlife Fund, which supports the eco-guards, acknowledges some instances of abuse, but has pledged to support investigations into any wrongdoing.
The Pentagon Just Issued Marching Orders on Climate Change
The Department of Defense has directed its top officials to develop plans for how the armed services will deal with rising seas, melting ice caps, and greater global food insecurity brought about by warming temperatures.
Obama Wants a $10-Per-Barrel Tax on Oil
The tax would fund $32 billion in clean transportation initiatives like mass transit and electric vehicles.
Lead Contamination Poses Hazards Far Beyond Flint
In Washington DC, pipes that serve the White House and Congress were installed at the time of the Civil War — and engineers estimate a rebuild of the nation's aging water infrastructure would cost $1 trillion over 25 years.
Flint Residents Take Clean Water Fight to Federal Court
A new lawsuit asks a federal court to compel state agencies to replace the city's contaminated pipes as soon as possible with no cost to customers.
It's Official: 2015 Is the Hottest Year on Record
The world set a second straight record for global temperatures in 2015, topping 2014’s mark by a wide margin, climate scientists confirmed Wednesday.
The 'Long Shadow' of Volkswagen's Cheating Scandal Falls on France’s Renault
French regulators raided the automaker's headquarters and two technical facilities, sending the company's stock prices tumbling.
A Series of Strong Quakes in Oklahoma Triggers Republican Scrutiny of Oil Drilling
Oklahoma was hit with over 900 tremors of magnitude 3.0 or above in 2015 — and the fracking industry is widely blamed.