49% of Americans told CBS they believe Donald Trump is a fascist. That’s a big claim. So let’s set feelings aside and look at the core traits of fascism—how it operated under Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), and Franco (Spain)—and compare those traits to Trump’s words, actions, and governing style.

The biggest driver of species loss on Earth is still habitat destruction—forests cleared for farms, wetlands drained for development. But a close second, and one we can actually choke off with smart policy and consumer choices, is the illegal wildlife trade.

This November, the world’s attention will turn to Belém, Brazil — the mouth of the Amazon River — for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP30. Over 50,000 people, including heads of state, ministers, scientists, and activists, are expected to gather in what may be one of the most consequential climate summits yet.

Only 17 countries hold roughly 70% of Earth’s plant and animal species. They’re called megadiverse nations—places where multiple ecosystems collide: tropical forests, cloud forests, high mountains, wetlands, coasts, islands, and open ocean. Colombia is one of the brightest stars in that constellation.

When you think about shark conservation, what comes to mind? A man-eater? A villain from a Hollywood thriller? What if I told you the sharp decline in shark populations isn’t just a wildlife concern—it’s a red flag for the health of our oceans?

As of June 11, 2025, one thing is clear: wildfires are no longer just seasonal events. They are now the leading cause of forest destruction across North America and the world.

Many people think climate change is too complex to understand. But in reality, the basic science behind it is straightforward. In this Climate Basics piece, we’ll break down how Earth’s natural greenhouse system works, what humans have done to disrupt it, and why that matters more than ever.

On October 23, 2024, I reported from Florida in the wake of two devastating hurricanes—Helene and Milton—that unleashed record-setting destruction across the Gulf Coast and southeastern United States.

In honor of Black History Month, it’s vital we confront an often-overlooked dimension of racial injustice—environmental racism. This term describes how environmental hazards, from toxic pollution to extreme heat, disproportionately affect communities of color.

On March 2, 2025, we find ourselves at a critical inflection point for climate policy in the United States. With Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, his cabinet appointments are poised to radically reshape how the federal government addresses—or avoids addressing—climate change, renewable energy, conservation, and environmental protection.

Just off the Gulf Coast of Florida, nestled near Fort Myers, lies Pine Island—a stretch of land largely untouched by time and development. At 17 miles long and just three miles wide, Pine Island is a living museum of Florida’s ecological past.

Of all the natural wonders on Earth, few are as miraculous—or as vulnerable—as the monarch butterfly. With their iconic black-and-orange wings and astonishing 3,000-mile migration patterns, monarchs are not only breathtaking to witness but also essential pollinators and indicators of ecosystem health.

As the U.S. approaches a political crossroads, president elect Donald Trump’s ambitions to dismantle environmental protections and climate policies have sparked widespread concern. But the question remains: Can Trump truly halt America’s transition to a renewable energy economy, or is the green momentum too strong to stop?

Tiger Sharks that Roam the Bahamas’ Seagrass Meadows on the Sea Floor  are Fitted with Video Cameras that Help Marine Scientists Evaluate the Extent and Health of the Meadows.  The Bahama Islands Have Some of the World’s Largest Seagrass Meadows an Important Biome for Rich and Abundant Marine Life and also for Undersea Storage of Vast Amounts of Carbon Dioxide.  

Leticia James, New York’s Attorney General filed suit in March of 2024 against JBS USA, the subsidiary of the JBS, the world’s largest producer of beef products alleging that the company misled the public about its environmental impacts including deforestation of the Amazon rainforest by its meat suppliers who are expanding pasture of cattle ranches at the expense of forests.

Wetlands are among the most important habitats in the world comparable to rainforests and coral reefs. Forty percent of the worlds species either live or breed in wetlands. The rich vegetation in wetlands provides food, shelter, spawning and a nursery area for fish and shellfish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.

“Traveling these seas, the fleets and merchant ships of the ancient Greeks disseminated civilization and increased human understanding; they fought the barbarians, hindered the incursion of Asia into the West, and spread Hellenism as far as the shores of Asia Minor and Egypt, of Italy and France, and through all the Mediterranean. It might be said that from the start, the sea was the spirit of Greece and the islands the embodiment of that spirit.”

The Amazon rainforest has been called the lungs of the planet. But in fact, it is the planet’s heart as it modulates the entire global climate system.  It provides the rainfall and feeds the river systems across the South American continent that supply the fresh water for its farms and cities.

Nemonte Nenquimo, an indigenous woman in her thirties, a leader of the Waorani tribe in the Ecuadorian Amazon, has led the fight to protect their tribal lands from sale by the Ecuadorian government to large petroleum companies. 

Healthy forests in the world play a critical role in maintaining a healthy climate and preventing the dangers of climate change and global warming.