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Science / Our Planet

The consequences of burning fossil fuels are already apparent.  We have just begun to see the effects of human-induced climate change.

The Ten Most Disturbing Scientific Discoveries

Scientists have come to some surprising conclusions about the world and our place in it. Are some things just better left unknown?

Earth Day Events 2010

Learn about Earth Day celebrations in your community

While geologist don't know how long the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull could go on for, the last eruption in 1821 went until 1823.

What We Know From the Icelandic Volcano

Geologist Elizabeth Cottrell discusses the effects of the Icelandic volcanic eruption and the work of the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program

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A Letter From Earth

Air Pollution as Seen From the Skies

From Mt. Etna to China to the Sahara, these striking satellite images of air pollution are from both natural and man-made causes

Ophiacodons

The History of Air

Paleontologists are looking to the fossil record to decipher what the earth’s atmosphere was like hundreds of millions of years ago

The region's legacy of acid rain is clearly visible in the black crust on the gravestones at the Madison Street Cemetery in Hamilton, New York.

Acid Rain and Our Ecosystem

More than 150 years after acid rain was first identified, scientists now see success in recovery from its damaging effects

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Little Ice Age Art

Marine ecologist Jane Lubchenco recently spoke at the Natural History Museum on restoring the bounty of the world's oceans.

Q and A: Jane Lubchenco

The marine ecologist and administrator of NOAA discusses restoring the bounty of the world’s oceans

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Turn Off the Lights!

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