All explainers
Explainer
How to Maximize Your Vehicle’s Fuel Economy
Simple tips to reduce the environmental impact of your car or truck.
Explainer
Nuclear Waste
The waste generated by nuclear power remains dangerous for many years--so we must make wise decisions about how to handle and dispose of it.
Explainer
Who's Fighting the Clean Power Plan?
Major fossil fuel companies and special interest groups have worked for years to block efforts to reduce carbon pollution. They continue to do so today.
Explainer
Other Deforestation Drivers
While the majority of tropical deforestation is driven by beef, soy, palm oil, and wood products, many other commodities and human activities play a more limited role in the problem.
Explainer
Nuclear Plant Security
Terrorists pose a real and significant threat to nuclear power plants.
Explainer
What Are Tar Sands?
Tar sands are an increasingly common—but expensive and dirty—source of oil.
Explainer
What's Driving Deforestation?
Just four commodities—beef, soy, palm oil, and wood products—drive the majority of global deforestation. And consumers can help stop it.
Explainer
Wood Products
One of the basic materials of human civilization, wood still plays a central role in 21st-century life—and in the problem of tropical deforestation. But wood can also be part of the solution.
Explainer
Palm Oil
Found in everything from shampoo to donuts, palm oil is now the most common vegetable oil in the world—and also one of the world's leading deforestation drivers.
Explainer
Beef Cattle
While many commodities are driving deforestation today, all of them take a back seat to beef cattle. But there are ways to reduce beef's deforestation impact.
Explainer
Rooftop Solar Panels: Benefits, Costs, and Smart Policies
Rooftop solar has never been more affordable for home owners, business owners, and their communities.
Explainer
Concentrating Solar Power Plants
Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems generate electricity using the sun’s heat.