Oceans & Clean Water

You may not have heard much about the long fight to remove the Nooksack Dam near Bellingham, Washington, but its detonation this week will prove ecologically and culturally important.

Here’s why the action is so harmful, how it’s possibly illegal, and why it won’t help struggling fishing communities.

A new study took a deep dive into critical aspects of ocean life to identify the areas of the high seas most worthy of conservation effort.

A historic international treaty to protect marine biodiversity is currently being negotiated, but will it be strong enough to create reserves and boost conservation efforts?

Phytoplankton produce half of the oxygen in our atmosphere, but understanding how they respond to climate change is complicated and critically important.

Clean water is essential during the COVID-19 health crisis, but so far Congress hasn’t directed funds to help water utilities or stop water shutoffs in low-income households.

The innovative project could aid endangered native species — and provide a useful roadmap for other dam-removal efforts.

For example, in Florida, the loss of just 3% of wetland coverage resulted in $480 million in property damage during just one hurricane.

A new online resource combines economic and environmental data to help prevent deadly conflict. It could be a vital tool in the age of climate change.

But the effects of removing this “environmental safety net” won’t be felt equally. States with fewer local protections and resources will suffer the most — as will their people and wildlife.