Environment

The federal government today proposed new rules for solar farms to be built over public lands out west. But with the giant farms covering acres and acres of land, it could cause a debate over habitat protection.

Rare earths are the metals commonly found in cell phones and hybrid cars, and the U.S. is ready to jump back into the industry. Molycorp Inc. is re-opening a rare earths mine in California, and Sarah Gardner got a first-hand look.

Nancy Pelosi's "Green the Capitol" initiative was supposed to reduce the House's carbon footprint. But it wasn't wholly successful, and critics complained it was a waste of money. It may be on the chopping block once the GOP takes over the House.

The Senate is set to vote today on President Obama's compromise, and besides the big tax cuts, there is also the $3 billion in cash grants for renewable energy to consider. Sarah Gardner reports on one big name supporting the program's extension.

As the U.N. climate conference gets ready to wrap up, there's still some sticking points before all 194 countries make an agreement. Scott Tong reports from Cancun, Mexico.

It looks like there's at least one issue in Washington that might be getting bipartisan support today: the expiration of ethanol tax credits. Sarah Gardner reports.

Within a few decades, corn crops in Tabi, Mexico went from abundant to sparse. Indigenous farmers there feel real change in the climate and want governments to help them cope.

Kai Ryssdal talks to Ned Breslin, CEO of the nonprofit Water for People, about the group's FLOW system, which measures the successes -- or failures -- of water projects around the world in real time.

At last year's U.N. climate conference, China didn't get the best reputation. But this year, the country seems to be changing things around; today announcing a pledge to slow the growth of its carbon emissions. Will the country stay true to its word? Scott Tong reports.

Don't be fooled by the water-hungry golf courses and energy-intensive resorts in Cancun. Mexico has serious reasons to become more environmentally-friendly. Marketplace's Eve Troeh reports.