Yale Environment 360
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An online magazine offering reporting, opinion, and analysis on global environmental issues. Published at the Yale School of the Environment. Our newsletter: e360.yale.edu/newsletter
The growing number of satellites overhead may soon obscure photos taken by Hubble and other space telescopes.
Passing satellites could leave streaks on up to 96 percent of images, new research finds.
Passing satellites could leave streaks on up to 96 percent of images, new research finds.
Growing Number of Satellites Will Leave Streaks on Photos from Orbiting Telescopes
e360.yale.edu
December 5, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The growing number of satellites overhead may soon obscure photos taken by Hubble and other space telescopes.
Passing satellites could leave streaks on up to 96 percent of images, new research finds.
Passing satellites could leave streaks on up to 96 percent of images, new research finds.
Scientists have relaunched a satellite system that will track wildlife all across the globe.
The “internet of animals” was first launched in 2020, in collaboration with Russian researchers, but was halted after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The “internet of animals” was first launched in 2020, in collaboration with Russian researchers, but was halted after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Scientists Relaunch the 'Internet of Animals'
e360.yale.edu
December 4, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Scientists have relaunched a satellite system that will track wildlife all across the globe.
The “internet of animals” was first launched in 2020, in collaboration with Russian researchers, but was halted after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The “internet of animals” was first launched in 2020, in collaboration with Russian researchers, but was halted after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Countries agreed Wednesday to new limits on the international trade in African hornbills.
The new protection comes after reporting from Yale Environment 360 detailed the burgeoning global sale of African hornbill parts.
The new protection comes after reporting from Yale Environment 360 detailed the burgeoning global sale of African hornbill parts.
Countries Agree to New Protections for Embattled African Hornbills
e360.yale.edu
December 3, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Countries agreed Wednesday to new limits on the international trade in African hornbills.
The new protection comes after reporting from Yale Environment 360 detailed the burgeoning global sale of African hornbill parts.
The new protection comes after reporting from Yale Environment 360 detailed the burgeoning global sale of African hornbill parts.
With hundreds of satellites launched each year and thousands more planned, scientists are increasingly concerned about the emissions from rocket launches and from satellites burning up upon returning to Earth.
Scientists Warn of Emissions Risks from the Surge in Satellites
With hundreds of satellites launched each year and tens of thousands more planned, scientists are increasingly concerned about an emerging problem: emissions from the fuels burned in launches and from...
e360.yale.edu
December 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
With hundreds of satellites launched each year and thousands more planned, scientists are increasingly concerned about the emissions from rocket launches and from satellites burning up upon returning to Earth.
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December 2, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Donate now to Yale Environment 360, and your gift will be doubled.
Please give today: e360.yale.edu/donate
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African forests have turned from a carbon sink into a carbon source, according to research.
The shift means that the three large rainforest regions — Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Amazon — have become sources of emissions. via @theguardian.com
The shift means that the three large rainforest regions — Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Amazon — have become sources of emissions. via @theguardian.com
African Forests Have Become a Source of Carbon Emissions
e360.yale.edu
December 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
African forests have turned from a carbon sink into a carbon source, according to research.
The shift means that the three large rainforest regions — Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Amazon — have become sources of emissions. via @theguardian.com
The shift means that the three large rainforest regions — Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Amazon — have become sources of emissions. via @theguardian.com
The use of pangolin parts in traditional Chinese medicine is driving poaching of the small, scaly mammals, according to an analysis of legal records.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Drives Poaching of Pangolins, Records Show
e360.yale.edu
November 26, 2025 at 8:14 AM
The use of pangolin parts in traditional Chinese medicine is driving poaching of the small, scaly mammals, according to an analysis of legal records.
From the Rockies to the Himalayas, mountains are warming faster than surrounding lowlands, new research shows.
More intense heat is melting ice, threatening a vital source of fresh water for more than a billion people worldwide.
More intense heat is melting ice, threatening a vital source of fresh water for more than a billion people worldwide.
World's Mountains Warming Faster Than Lowlands
e360.yale.edu
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 PM
From the Rockies to the Himalayas, mountains are warming faster than surrounding lowlands, new research shows.
More intense heat is melting ice, threatening a vital source of fresh water for more than a billion people worldwide.
More intense heat is melting ice, threatening a vital source of fresh water for more than a billion people worldwide.
Researchers are seeing a disturbing rise in the trade of African hornbills, both in local voodoo markets and online on Instagram, Etsy, and eBay.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
A Troubling Rise in the Grisly Trade of a Spectacular African Bird
Researchers are finding a disturbing uptick in the trade of African hornbills and their body parts in West African voodoo markets and globally on the internet. Conservationists want international prot...
e360.yale.edu
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Researchers are seeing a disturbing rise in the trade of African hornbills, both in local voodoo markets and online on Instagram, Etsy, and eBay.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
A new E.U. service will investigate the role of warming in weather disasters.
Its findings could help insurers better gauge climate risks and help advocates hold polluters accountable for climate damages.
Its findings could help insurers better gauge climate risks and help advocates hold polluters accountable for climate damages.
New European Service Will Investigate Role of Warming in Weather Disasters
e360.yale.edu
November 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
A new E.U. service will investigate the role of warming in weather disasters.
Its findings could help insurers better gauge climate risks and help advocates hold polluters accountable for climate damages.
Its findings could help insurers better gauge climate risks and help advocates hold polluters accountable for climate damages.
As China has cut back on the extraction of rare earth minerals, Myanmar has seen a mining boom in borderlands ruled by ethnic armies.
The surge in illicit mining is destroying forests, tainting water, and harming the health of workers and communities nearby.
The surge in illicit mining is destroying forests, tainting water, and harming the health of workers and communities nearby.
In Myanmar, Illicit Rare Earth Mining Is Taking a Heavy Toll
As China has cut back on domestic extraction of rare earth minerals, uncontrolled mining in Myanmar has boomed in areas ruled by ethnic armies. New reporting in Wa territory reveals the activity is da...
e360.yale.edu
November 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM
As China has cut back on the extraction of rare earth minerals, Myanmar has seen a mining boom in borderlands ruled by ethnic armies.
The surge in illicit mining is destroying forests, tainting water, and harming the health of workers and communities nearby.
The surge in illicit mining is destroying forests, tainting water, and harming the health of workers and communities nearby.
Tech companies are turning to natural gas to help power U.S. data centers.
Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can strengthen the power grid, trim electric bills, and help curb emissions.
Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can strengthen the power grid, trim electric bills, and help curb emissions.
How Batteries, Not Natural Gas, Can Power the Data Center Boom
Tech companies are turning to natural gas to help power the growing number of U.S. data centers. Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can help...
e360.yale.edu
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Tech companies are turning to natural gas to help power U.S. data centers.
Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can strengthen the power grid, trim electric bills, and help curb emissions.
Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can strengthen the power grid, trim electric bills, and help curb emissions.
Race is a "potent predictor" of where petrochemical plants have been proposed in Texas, a report finds.
Race a 'Potent Predictor' of Where Texas Petrochemical Plants Will Be Built
e360.yale.edu
November 18, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Race is a "potent predictor" of where petrochemical plants have been proposed in Texas, a report finds.
By the end of this decade, U.S. data centers could consume as much water as 10 million Americans and produce as much carbon dioxide as 10 million cars, a study finds. via @insideclimatenews.org
U.S. Data Centers Could Consume as Much Water as 10 Million Americans by Decade's End
e360.yale.edu
November 17, 2025 at 3:52 PM
By the end of this decade, U.S. data centers could consume as much water as 10 million Americans and produce as much carbon dioxide as 10 million cars, a study finds. via @insideclimatenews.org
This year, new wind and solar will more than meet growing power demand globally, keeping fossil fuel consumption flat, analysts project.
Growth of Wind and Solar Keeping Fossil Power in Check
e360.yale.edu
November 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
This year, new wind and solar will more than meet growing power demand globally, keeping fossil fuel consumption flat, analysts project.
National climate plans focus too much on “unrealistic” tree-planting schemes and too little on protecting existing forests, experts warn.
Climate Plans Focus on Planting Trees Over Protecting Forests, Experts Warn
e360.yale.edu
November 13, 2025 at 2:49 PM
National climate plans focus too much on “unrealistic” tree-planting schemes and too little on protecting existing forests, experts warn.
The International Energy Agency continues to project that demand for fossil fuels will peak before 2030, if countries push forward on their climate goals.
World Still Headed for 'Peak' Fossil Fuels Before Decade's End
e360.yale.edu
November 12, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The International Energy Agency continues to project that demand for fossil fuels will peak before 2030, if countries push forward on their climate goals.
For 18 months, China’s emissions have been trending down as renewables displace coal and EVs supplant gas-powered cars.
That is the finding of a new analysis, which comes as China takes center stage at the U.N. climate negotiations now underway in Brazil.
That is the finding of a new analysis, which comes as China takes center stage at the U.N. climate negotiations now underway in Brazil.
China's Emissions Have Been Trending Down for 18 Months
e360.yale.edu
November 11, 2025 at 2:56 PM
For 18 months, China’s emissions have been trending down as renewables displace coal and EVs supplant gas-powered cars.
That is the finding of a new analysis, which comes as China takes center stage at the U.N. climate negotiations now underway in Brazil.
That is the finding of a new analysis, which comes as China takes center stage at the U.N. climate negotiations now underway in Brazil.
Analysis: China is not only powering the shift to clean energy, but becoming a driving force in climate diplomacy, filling a vacuum left by the U.S. and E.U.
As U.N. climate negotiations get underway, China is staking its claim to the leadership role.
As U.N. climate negotiations get underway, China is staking its claim to the leadership role.
As U.S. and E.U. Retreat on Climate, China Takes the Leadership Role
As U.N. talks get underway, China is emerging as a key leader in international climate efforts. It is empowering the global energy transition, and along with India and Brazil, is becoming the driving ...
e360.yale.edu
November 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Analysis: China is not only powering the shift to clean energy, but becoming a driving force in climate diplomacy, filling a vacuum left by the U.S. and E.U.
As U.N. climate negotiations get underway, China is staking its claim to the leadership role.
As U.N. climate negotiations get underway, China is staking its claim to the leadership role.
A new study reveals how a tiny desert shrub manages to thrive in the searing heat of Death Valley, California.
The findings could help scientists engineer more heat-resistant crops.
The findings could help scientists engineer more heat-resistant crops.
In a Death Valley Shrub, a Blueprint for Heat-Proof Crops
e360.yale.edu
November 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
A new study reveals how a tiny desert shrub manages to thrive in the searing heat of Death Valley, California.
The findings could help scientists engineer more heat-resistant crops.
The findings could help scientists engineer more heat-resistant crops.
For the fourth year in a row, the world is projected to add a record amount of wind and solar.
Countries appear on track to reach an international goal to triple global renewable capacity by 2030, analysts say.
Countries appear on track to reach an international goal to triple global renewable capacity by 2030, analysts say.
World Appears on Track to Triple Renewable Capacity by 2030
e360.yale.edu
November 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
For the fourth year in a row, the world is projected to add a record amount of wind and solar.
Countries appear on track to reach an international goal to triple global renewable capacity by 2030, analysts say.
Countries appear on track to reach an international goal to triple global renewable capacity by 2030, analysts say.
Last year Brazil saw its biggest drop in emissions in 15 years, new data show.
Analysts credit the decline to a crackdown on the illegal clearing of forest.
Analysts credit the decline to a crackdown on the illegal clearing of forest.
As Brazil Cracks Down on Forest Clearing, Emissions Fall
e360.yale.edu
November 5, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Last year Brazil saw its biggest drop in emissions in 15 years, new data show.
Analysts credit the decline to a crackdown on the illegal clearing of forest.
Analysts credit the decline to a crackdown on the illegal clearing of forest.
Russian attacks have produced more than a billion tons of debris across Ukraine.
Efforts are underway to recover concrete, metal, bricks, and wood from the rubble and reuse these materials in new buildings and roads.
Efforts are underway to recover concrete, metal, bricks, and wood from the rubble and reuse these materials in new buildings and roads.
From Ruins to Reuse: How Ukrainians Are Repurposing War Waste
Russian bombardments have generated more than a billion tons of debris across Ukraine since 2022. Now, local and international efforts are meticulously sorting the bricks, concrete, metal, and wood, p...
e360.yale.edu
November 4, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Russian attacks have produced more than a billion tons of debris across Ukraine.
Efforts are underway to recover concrete, metal, bricks, and wood from the rubble and reuse these materials in new buildings and roads.
Efforts are underway to recover concrete, metal, bricks, and wood from the rubble and reuse these materials in new buildings and roads.
From now through the end of the year, all donations to Yale Environment 360 will be doubled, thanks to NewsMatch.
Please give today: e360.yale.edu/donate
Please give today: e360.yale.edu/donate
November 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
From now through the end of the year, all donations to Yale Environment 360 will be doubled, thanks to NewsMatch.
Please give today: e360.yale.edu/donate
Please give today: e360.yale.edu/donate
The climate outlook has improved dramatically in the decade since the Paris Agreement, a report finds.
Still, the world remains far off track from its goal of keeping warming under 2 degrees C.
Still, the world remains far off track from its goal of keeping warming under 2 degrees C.
In Decade Since Paris Agreement, Climate Outlook Has Improved Dramatically
e360.yale.edu
November 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The climate outlook has improved dramatically in the decade since the Paris Agreement, a report finds.
Still, the world remains far off track from its goal of keeping warming under 2 degrees C.
Still, the world remains far off track from its goal of keeping warming under 2 degrees C.