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Country representatives listen to opening remarks at the start of the United Nations' Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in Lima, Peru.

Country representatives listen to opening remarks at the start of the United Nations' Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in Lima, Peru. Cris Bouroncle/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Cris Bouroncle/AFP/Getty Images

World Climate Talks In Lima Aim To Move Beyond Kyoto Treaty

Unlike the 1997 Kyoto treaty, the plan on the negotiating table in Lima this week asks every country, developed and developing, to limit carbon emissions. Each nation would set its own target.

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An inside view of this fossil Pseudodon shell shows that the hole made by Homo erectus is exactly at the spot where the muscle attached to the shell. Poking at that spot would force the shell open.

An inside view of this fossil Pseudodon shell shows that the hole made by Homo erectus is exactly at the spot where the muscle attached to the shell. Poking at that spot would force the shell open. Henk Caspers/Naturalis Leiden/The Netherlands hide caption

itoggle caption Henk Caspers/Naturalis Leiden/The Netherlands

Science

Earliest Human Engraving Or Trash From An Ancient Lunch?

Carved zigzag marks on a shell found more than a century ago have drawn new interest from archaeologists. The half-million-year-old lines aren't from an animal, and might be art from Homo erectus.

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Casa Dominique is an ecolodge on Lanzarote's northern coast. Julie Genicot, a French trekking guide, has lived in Lanzarote since her grandparents opened the Casa Dominique when she was a child. She worries that offshore oil drilling might ruin the natural environment she grew up in.

Casa Dominique is an ecolodge on Lanzarote's northern coast. Julie Genicot, a French trekking guide, has lived in Lanzarote since her grandparents opened the Casa Dominique when she was a child. She worries that offshore oil drilling might ruin the natural environment she grew up in. Lauren Frayer/NPR hide caption

itoggle caption Lauren Frayer/NPR

Parallels

Sun, Sand And Offshore Drilling In Spain's Famed Canary Islands

Highly reliant on oil imports, Spain's government is encouraging oil exploration off the coast of the Canary Islands. But locals say the drilling threatens the natural attractions that draw tourists.

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Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy testifies at an oversight hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 23.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy testifies at an oversight hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 23. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

itoggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The Two-Way

EPA Proposes New Rules To Curb Ozone Levels

The rules would lower the threshold for ozone from 75 parts per billion to between 65 ppb and 70 ppb. They are likely to be opposed by industry groups as well as Republicans.

The Alabama gulf coast is heavily developed with condo and hotel properties. Now the state wants to use Gulf Coast restoration funds to build a new beach hotel and conference center.

The Alabama gulf coast is heavily developed with condo and hotel properties. Now the state wants to use Gulf Coast restoration funds to build a new beach hotel and conference center. Debbie Elliott/NPR hide caption

itoggle caption Debbie Elliott/NPR

Around the Nation

Plan To Use Gulf Oil Spill Funds For Beach Hotel Sparks Lawsuit

Environmentalists are suing to stop Alabama from using nearly $60 million in BP oil spill recovery funds to build a new hotel on the beach. The project is one of dozens underway across the region.

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Environmentalist John Francis speaks about the 17 years of his life during which he never spoke a word.

Environmentalist John Francis speaks about the 17 years of his life during which he never spoke a word. Andrew Heavens/Courtesy of TED hide caption

itoggle caption Andrew Heavens/Courtesy of TED

TED Radio Hour

John Francis: How Do Years Of Silence Change Someone?

For almost three decades, John Francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a silent message of environmental responsibility. For 17 years he didn't speak a word.

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"I began to learn at least what other people felt and what they wanted to say before cutting them off with my own diatribe. I used to do that." - John Francis

"I began to learn at least what other people felt and what they wanted to say before cutting them off with my own diatribe. I used to do that." - John Francis Andrew Heavens/TED hide caption

itoggle caption Andrew Heavens/TED

TED Radio Hour

John Francis: Why Would Someone Choose Silence For 17 Years?

For almost three decades, John Francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a silent message of environmental respect. For 17 of those years he didn't speak a word.

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"Clouds are the most egalitarian of nature's displays 'cause we all have a great view of the sky" - Gavin Pretor-Pinney

"Clouds are the most egalitarian of nature's displays 'cause we all have a great view of the sky" - Gavin Pretor-Pinney James Duncan Davidson/TED hide caption

itoggle caption James Duncan Davidson/TED

TED Radio Hour

Gavin Pretor-Pinney: Why Should We Look At The Clouds More Often?

You don't need to plan a trip to find beauty and perspective. Just look up, says Gavin Pretor-Pinney, and stop for a moment every day to admire the beauty in the sky above and in our everyday lives.

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Pipes for Transcanada Corp.'s planned Keystone XL oil pipeline are stacked at a depot in Gascoyne, N.D. The House of Representatives approved the Keystone XL pipeline Friday; the Senate voted against it on Tuesday.

Pipes for Transcanada Corp.'s planned Keystone XL oil pipeline are stacked at a depot in Gascoyne, N.D. The House of Representatives approved the Keystone XL pipeline Friday; the Senate voted against it on Tuesday. Andrew Cullen/Reuters/Landov hide caption

itoggle caption Andrew Cullen/Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

Senate Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline Bill, In A Close Vote

The controversial project to expand an oil pipeline running from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico has failed to get the approval of Congress.