Science & Technology Archives - The World from PRX

Certain species of vultures are critically endangered in southern Africa. Recently, some mass killings of vultures in Botswana and South Africa have led to concern over the vulture population. But conservationists are working to increase their numbers.

Himalayan glaciers are melting at a much faster pace than anyone had really appreciated to date, according to Huma Yusuf, host of "Climate Mahaul," a podcast focused on climate change. Yusuf joined The World's host Carol Hills to discuss Pakistan's catastrophic flooding.

This summer, China experienced its longest heat wave on record — more than 70 consecutive days of scorching temperatures. Residents have found some relief in caves, bomb shelters and air-conditioned supermarkets, but one expert says this summer should be a “wake-up call” to do more to mitigate climate change.

Extreme heat and drought have left water in short supply in Monterrey, Mexico, but not everyone is feeling the pinch. Some poor neighborhoods seem to be facing far more restrictions on water usage than wealthier ones.

Rising sea levels, erosion and storms in Louisiana's bayou country have flooded entire communities. For some French speakers, Hurricane Ida was the last straw — and many are now moving away.

Bison once roamed the United Kingdom freely, but like many native animals, agriculture and human development killed them all off. This month, for the first time in 6,000 years, three wild bison were released into a forest near Kent.

​​​​​​​The French Alps region is getting hit hard by drought, most likely exacerbated by climate change. And that's putting the entire economy there in serious jeopardy, because where there's no water, there are no tourists.

It is the first time a large carnivore is being moved from one continent to another and reintroduced into the wild.

Sightings of the native magnolia flower had not been recorded since 1925. Expedition leader Eladio Fernandez said the search was like "an act of faith."

​​​​​​​Plastic is everywhere. Scientists have found the stuff in just about every corner of the planet, even through the high seas. But getting a better understanding of what's going on here, where the plastic waste comes from, and what it is, can still be challenging. That's especially true along shallow coastlines.