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Overuse of fertilizers and pesticides in China linked to farm size
A new study finds chemicals are often used inefficiently on small farms in China. Land and migration policies may help explain why the country uses 30 percent of the world's fertilizers and pesticides on 9 percent of global cropland.
Can utilities afford electric vehicle commitments?
Energy policy expert Michael Wara comments on the decision to approve $768 million in transportation electrification projects and how it could affect utilities, the environment and California ratepayers.
Nipah: A little-known virus that could become the next global pandemic
An outbreak of Nipah in South India has renewed interest in the deadly virus. Stanford epidemiologist Stephen Luby explains risk factors, potential interventions and how land conversion connects to the emergence of this kind of infection.
Climate mitigation could yield trillions in economic benefits
Stanford scientists found that the global economy is likely to benefit from ambitious global warming limits agreed to in the United Nations Paris Agreement.
Judge rules sage grouse was wrongly denied protection
A federal court has ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service improperly ignored its own best science when it made an abrupt about-face and decided not to offer endangered species protections to the bi-state sage grouse.
How our brains learn the look of greener products
A new study suggests people can quickly, if unwittingly, learn visual cues for environmental friendliness. Designers could use the insight to try to trigger thoughts about sustainability when people are shopping.
EPA's proposed rollbacks of mileage standards are a terrible idea
Rob Jackson argues in Scientific American 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.
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.
Learning through fieldwork in Palau
Undergraduates study links between human and natural systems in a program that puts them up close with corals. Stanford Earth professor Rob Dunbar is a lead instructor.
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.
Society needs to better understand the economics of climate change
Gaps in social science knowledge of climate change constrain the policy impact of natural science research, a Stanford team argues.
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
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.
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.
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.