What are biodiversity credits — and could have a meaningful impact? Planet Money buys a "biodiversity credit" and travels to the Andean cloud forest in Colombia — to see how these credits work, and if they can really help save threatened species. Stan Alcorn
Despite state law, Washington takes 3+ years to reveal its climate pollution When it comes to climate change, speed matters. John Ryan
A Wisconsin-based surfer is on a quest to create a more eco-friendly board The Great Lakes don't readily evoke images of surfing and surfboard-making, but a surfer in Wisconsin is on an eco-friendly mission to change that. Susan Bence
Biden ban puts more of Northwest off limits to oil drilling A new ban from President Joe Biden prevents offshore drilling within 200 miles of the nation’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the northern Bering Sea. John Ryan
Grieving orca mom carries dead calf on her nose for fifth day An endangered orca mother has been carrying her dead newborn calf on her snout for nearly a week around Washington’s Puget Sound. John Ryan
Biden bans new offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters President Joe Biden is moving to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters, an effort to block possible action by the incoming Trump administration to expand offshore drilling. The Associated Press
Jimmy Carter's policy on the environment laid out the U.S. response to climate change As President, Jimmy Carter's priorities included energy efficiency and shifting away from foreign crude oil. The actions he took were criticized then, but laid the groundwork for a country to address climate change now. Michel Martin
More Canada crude is coming, but trade war could hamper flow Western Washington refineries brought in more oil by tanker from Canada after an expanded export terminal opened in May near Vancouver. Tom Banse/Salish Current
Abandoned farmland is having a profound impact on ecosystems in Europe Farmland is being abandoned across Europe as it's difficult to make a living. Some ecologist fear that some plant and species will lose ground but some hope that other species may fill in the gaps. Dan Charles
Famous orca mom carries another dead calf around Puget Sound Two newborn calves joined the Northwest's endangered orcas in December. By New Year’s Eve, one of them was dead — and being carried around on its mother’s nose. John Ryan
