• An aircraft releases oil dispersant in the Gulf of Mexico.

    Gulf Oil Spill: One Year Later

    What Mysteries Still Baffle Experts?

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Global Warming

The current cycle of global warming is changing the rhythms of climate that all living things have come to rely upon. What will we do to slow this warming? How will we cope with the changes we've already set into motion? While we struggle to figure it all out, the face of the Earth as we know it—coasts, forests, farms, and snowcapped mountains—hangs in the balance.

Global Warming Topics

More About Global Warming

  • A dead Portuguese Man-O-War floats on a blob of oil.

    2010 Gulf Oil Spill News and Pictures

    See National Geographic's full coverage of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill: pictures, news reports, and first-person accounts.

  • Photo: Mouse in a jar

    The Case of the Missing Carbon

    Burning fossil fuels, humans pump CO2 into the atmosphere. Fortunately, plants and ocean waters gather it in. But what if this great recycling system went awry?

  • Photo: Satellite image of the Larsen B ice shelf in Antarctica

    Photo Gallery: Antarctica Warming

    See the effects global warming has had on Antarctic glaciers and the wildlife that depends on them.

  • Photo: Geothermal power plant in Reykjavik, Iceland

    Geothermal

    Learn more about these underground reservoirs of steam and hot water that can be tapped to generate electricity or to heat and cool buildings directly.

Green Living Hot Topics

  1. Photo: Potpourri

    Organic Air Fresheners

    Avoid toxic chemicals and create a calming space.

  2. Photo: Recycling bin

    Surprising Recyclable Household Items

    With a little know-how, you can recycle more than you think.

  3. Photo: Peeling carrots

    Side Effects of Vegetarianism

    Find out how to stay healthy and eat lower on the food chain.

See More »

The Great Energy Challenge

  1. An incandescent light bulb.

    Light Bulb Savings Calculator

    How much can you save yourself, and the world, by switching to more efficient bulbs?

  2. World Electricity Mix interactive map

    The Global Electricity Mix

    An interactive view of how regions and countries around the world generate their power.

  3. Lightning bolts within a storm cloud.

    Quiz: What You Don't Know About Nature's Forces of Energy

    You've seen the havoc that nature can wreak, but have you ever considered how much energy is generated by hurricanes, volcanoes, or lightning?

     

Step Up to the Challenge »

The World's Water

  1. global-footprint.jpg

    Visualizing Our Global Water Footprint

    You might be surprised to see how the daily choices you make affect critical watersheds around the world.

  2. Image: Cow silhouette

    How Much Water Per Pound?

    How much water does it take to put beef, pork, wheat, and more on your plate? Explore our water footprint interactive and find out.

Learn More About Freshwater »

National Geographic Magazine

  1. Photo: Baby elephant playing with the mother's trunk

    Photos: In the Field

    Browse breathtaking images of life on the Serengeti.

  2. Photo: Twin truckers Don and Dave Wolf ride together

    A Thing or Two About Twins

    Can the unique bond between identical twins be explained?

  3. eoy-visions-hub.jpg

    Visions of Earth

    Browse stunning images of our planet as seen through a photographer's eye.

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