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EPA's proposed rollbacks of mileage standards are a terrible idea
Rob Jackson argues that proposed EPA mileage rollbacks are shortsighted and a matter of human health as well as economics.
A precedent for climate change litigation?
A trial takes surprising turns and could reshape the legal landscape around climate-change related damages.
Stanford law and water quality experts discuss possible offshore oil expansion
If federal plans move ahead, most U.S. coastal waters would be open to offshore oil drilling. Stanford professors look at the issues from California's perspective.
Wild fires and rising costs
Are forest managers robbing the future to pay for present-day fires?
Exploring an effective, low-cost and fair U.S. climate policy
Economist Larry Goulder discusses tradeoffs of policy options and finds ways to enhance societal and economic benefits
Getting to Zero Deforestation
A synthesis paper led by Eric Lambin reveals the strengths and weaknesses of corporate environmental pledges, and prescribes solutions to boost effectiveness.
Share the Wealth: A Cap-And-Trade System of Water Conservation and Resiliency?
In order to meet the California’s future water needs, researchers propose a cap and trade approach to water conservation based on local supply and demand realities.
Learning through fieldwork on Pacific coral reefs
Stanford undergraduates study links between human and natural systems through an interdisciplinary seminar in Palau.
Critical minerals scarcity could threaten renewable energy future
The supply chains for critical and rare minerals are vulnerable to political and economic disruptions that could hamper the global shift to a renewable energy future.
Grocery store program improves farmers’ adoption of environmental practices
In one of the first analyses of a company-led sustainability program in the food and agriculture space, Stanford researchers found a major grocery chain fostered increased adoption of environmental practices at the farm level.
Top 10 Stanford Earth research stories of 2017
From laying the groundwork for a billion-sensor quake network to finding lithium deposits around supervolcanoes, these were our favorite research stories of 2017.
After years of nearly flat growth, global fossil fuel emissions are inching up
An international research team reports that the increase in global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels has resumed after a 3-year respite and may increase again next year. Despite the findings, improved energy efficiency and a booming renewables market provide signs of hope.
Q&A: Loss of protections for marine sanctuaries could threaten oceanic environment and fisheries
Researchers who have studied marine national monuments and adjacent areas discuss their value and the potential impacts of a change in protected status.
Q&A: The history and future of the global plastics economy
Stanford chemist Robert Waymouth discusses changes in incentives and technologies to create a more sustainable future for plastics.
Media attention to drought linked to household water savings
With a new web-scraping and search algorithm and real water utility data, Stanford researchers have shown a relationship between media coverage of the recent historic California drought and household water savings.
Diversity of large animals plays an important role in carbon cycle
With abundant data on plants, large animals and their activity, and carbon soil levels in the Amazon, Stanford research suggests that large animal diversity influences carbon stocks and contributes to climate change mitigation.
Paying Farmers Not to Cut Down Trees in Uganda Helps Fight Climate Change
A new study demonstrates a cost-effective strategy to combat climate change by paying farmers in Uganda to conserve and plant trees.
Growing Carbon Offsets on Trees
A pioneering California program to sell carbon offsets has surprising environmental benefits – including providing habitat for endangered species – and provides lessons for initiatives under development in other states and countries.
Reducing brick kiln pollution
A Stanford team is now combining satellite data and political persuasion to track kilns and incentivize kiln owners to use cleaner technologies.