4 Key Takeaways from New EPA Rules for Power Plants

ENVIRONMENT New rules to limit carbon emissions from U.S. power plants represent President Barack Obama’s boldest effort to counter climate change—guidelines that supporters and critics alike cast as a turning point in U.S. environmental policy. (National Geographic News) “Plan it Green” to understand the decisions scientists and policymakers must make to limit carbon emissions. Discussion Ideas The nice Nat Geo News article outlines four key … Continue reading 4 Key Takeaways from New EPA Rules for Power Plants

‘People’s Republic of Amnesia’

WORLD China has tightened security and widened a clampdown on dissent, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, creating what one writer calls the ‘People’s Republic of Amnesia.’ (BBC and National Geographic News) Use our resources to remember the protests. Watch Tiananmen’s “Tank Man” in the most powerful piece of civil rights footage in 50 years. Discussion Ideas Why is “amnesia” such … Continue reading ‘People’s Republic of Amnesia’

Going, Going, Gone, Gone, Gone

ENVIRONMENT According to a new study, current extinction rates are up to a thousand times higher than they would be if people weren’t in the picture. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to learn more about extinction and endangerment. Discussion Ideas Jonathan Trouern-Trend, the Army veteran described at the beginning of the Nat Geo News article, made an amazing discovery . . . in a … Continue reading Going, Going, Gone, Gone, Gone

New National Monument in New Mexico

ENVIRONMENT President Barack Obama has created a new national monument, setting aside a half-million acres of federal land in southern New Mexico. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peak National Monument encompasses five mountain ranges and has some 243 known archeological sites. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to learn more about national parks and monuments. Listen to these “Youth Voices for New Mexico’s Outdoors” interact with the … Continue reading New National Monument in New Mexico

Heart Disease is Blowing in the Wind

HEALTH The agent of Kawasaki disease, a potentially fatal illness in children, floats into Japan on seasonal winds from northeastern China, according to a report. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to learn more about winds and wind patterns. Discussion Ideas Read through the brief discussion of “wind zones” in our encyclopedic entry on wind. What wind zone do researchers suspect of carrying the pathogen … Continue reading Heart Disease is Blowing in the Wind