Search results for

Critics have long derided the world's biggest cities as disorderly, overcrowded and polluted. But in recent years, as the planet's population continues to rise past seven billion and more and more people flock to urban areas, some now argue that cities may hold the key to sustainable growth.

Clean, fresh water is an essential element to life — not only do people and animals depend on it, but it also sustains many businesses and agriculture. The majority of the fresh water used worldwide goes to irrigation, and the need is expected to rise with the growing global population.

An NPR/Kaiser poll gives insight into the experience of those without enough work for a year or more. A strong majority of those polled say they don't have much confidence they'll get full-time work. "If I put my hopes in finding another job, I'd just break my heart," one woman says.

Until the last week or so, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has made himself scarce to the media, delivering only tightly honed messages. He now has a newfound eagerness to talk to reporters — some of them, at least.

As information becomes more and more digital, public libraries are striving to redefine their roles. A small number are working to create "hackerspaces," where do-it-yourselfers share sophisticated tools as well as expertise.

Democratic governors Andrew Cuomo and Jerry Brown are both are asking their states' wealthiest residents to pay higher income taxes to help plug major holes in their budgets. That's pretty much where the similarities end.

Key portions of the Kyoto Protocol are set to expire at the end of 2012. But many of the world's major greenhouse gas emitters have already set national targets to reduce emissions, and they're forging their own initiatives to meet those goals.

San Diego's Environmental Health Coalition is rallying opposition to a San Diego Gas and Electric rate hike request.

Britain led the pushback to a deal that tightens economic ties between 17 euro countries, 6 others.

Unique Project Mixes Mexican Murals With Graffiti