International

"A survey of economists with climate expertise finds a consensus that climate change is expensive and carbon pollution cuts are needed".

"Rising global temperatures may be affecting the Greenland ice sheet — and its contribution to sea-level rise — in more serious ways that scientists imagined, a new study finds."

"LYON, France – Illegal wildlife poaching and trafficking are still going on across Africa, but there are 376 fewer criminals in the trade after an international police operation last year."

"Oil prices quickly gave back early gains to close lower on Monday after investor concerns about Middle East tensions gave way to a continued focus on weaknesses in global economies."

"Solutions journalism has gained serious momentum in 2015 – We now see reporters in mainstream media frequently adding a solutions lens to their reporting, chronicling society’s successes as well as its challenges."

Science News' top science stories of 2015 include gene editing, a new hominid, the supposed pause in global warming, plate tectonics, and the effects of artificial lighting on animals.

"Cage-free, antibiotic-free, artificial-free. Sound familiar? Many of the world's biggest food companies announced major changes this year — in what they purchase and how they manufacture their food."

"Another year, another continuing flow of environment stories."

"Artificial intelligence, testosterone and ship tracking technology probably aren’t on many conservation organizations’ 'top things to think about' lists right now. But they should be, suggests a new report in the scientific journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution."

The Paris climate deal, President Obama's denial of the Keystone XL Pipeline permit, Pope Francis' environmental encyclical, and the global heat record are among the top environmental stories of the past year.