TIME Ecocentric

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

When physicists first split the atom in 1938, in the process known as nuclear fission, the feat led very quickly to the bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki and ended World War II. A mere decade or so later this destructive force had been tamed to power the first commercial nuclear power plants. In the late 1940’s, meanwhile, physicists forced atoms to combine against their will to create hydrogen bombs in what’s called nuclear fusion, and they thought they could follow up in the civilian

Nuclear Power 72

Nuclear Power Hydrogen Europe Energy 72

TIME Ecocentric

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

I’m just going to say it: Los Angeles is abuzz over urban beekeeping. For years the city has had a thriving underground beekeeping culture, with hives kept in backyards by Los Angelenos who want their honey extra local. It’s part of a national trend that has even luxury hotels like the Waldorf-Astoria in New York keeping bees on city roofs or in tiny urban backyards.

Agriculture 62

Agriculture Law 62

TIME Ecocentric

FEBRUARY 14, 2014

President Obama will get to see California‘s disastrous drought first hand today on a visit to the farming city of Fresno. It won’t be a pretty sight. While the conditions are arid across the state, with 91.6% of California in severe to exceptional drought, agricultural areas are suffering the worst. The state’s Central Valley has long been the fruit and vegetable basket of the country, growing nearly half of U.S. produce.

Agriculture 56

Agriculture Climate change Policy Government 56

TIME Ecocentric

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

Leading nations gathered in London this week for the highest-level meeting ever to tackle the illegal trade in wildlife products. Illegal wildlife trafficking—the unlawful slaughter of endangered animals to trade their valuable parts—has risen alarmingly in recent years. Campaigners estimate that more than 30,000 elephants were killed in Africa last year for their ivory and 1,000 rhinos killed in South Africa alone, an increase of some 5,000%.

Africa 51

Africa Law Politics Organic 51

Speaker: Kevin Kai Wong, President of Emergent Energy Solutions

In today's industrial landscape, the pursuit of sustainable energy optimization and decarbonization has become paramount. Manufacturing corporations across the U.S. are facing the urgent need to align with decarbonization goals while enhancing efficiency and productivity. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive energy data poses a significant challenge for manufacturing managers striving to meet their targets.

Energy

TIME Ecocentric

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

I should be in Florida. I was supposed to fly to Miami from New York this morning to report a magazine story, but my flight, along with more than 12,000 others, was cancelled thanks to the massive winter storm currently ravaging the East Coast. So instead I wound up staying home, helping my injured girlfriend wade through the snow to the doctor’s office, struggling through the latest storm in the winter that will never end.

Climate change 50

Climate change 50

TIME Ecocentric

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

How severe is the combination snow and ice storm whiplashing the Southeast today? At 7 AM today a weather balloon was launched from Atlanta, to aid meteorologists in determining just how badly screwed the Peach State was. (Answer: very.) Heavy ice began to accumulate on the balloon, until it was finally lost at about 12,500 ft. (3,810 m) above the ground.

Transportation 49

Transportation Electricity 49

TIME Ecocentric

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

There’s never a bad time to be named CEO of a Fortune 500 company, but when Ellen Kullman took over the 211-year-old DuPont at the beginning of 2009, things could have been better. The global economy was tanking, sales were dropping and the future was hazy. Fast forward five years later, though, and DuPont is surging. Kullman has transitioned the company away from some of its traditional fields—including the performance chemicals business, best known for its nonstick frying pans and paints

Agriculture 40

Agriculture Climate change Sustainability Investment 40