"The virus causing a second wave of bird flu across China has mutated frequently and 'should be considered as a major candidate to emerge as a pandemic strain in humans,' researchers reported Wednesday."

"A Vatican official who helped write a first draft of Pope Francis' upcoming encyclical on climate change acknowledged disagreement over the causes of global warming but said 'what is not contested is that our planet is getting warmer' and Christians have a duty rooted in 'ancient biblical teaching' to address the problem."

"The European Union agreed to submit the goal of cutting greenhouse gases by at least 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 to a global climate conference in a bid to retain its leading role in the battle against global warming."

"DUBAI -- Two pilots attempting the first flight around the world in a solar-powered plane began the maiden leg of their voyage on Monday, the mission's official website said."

"In a world awash in crude, oil producers and traders are facing a billion-barrel conundrum: where to put it all."

Climate change not only affects how much food is grown, but also how it gets to market. Storm surges, floods, and other extreme weather events around the world highlight the vulnerability of food distribution systems.

"A long anticipated El Nino has finally arrived. But for drought-struck California, it's too little, too late, meteorologists say."

The UN climate talks that will culminate in Paris in December are hard to follow. Here's help.

"Global action on climate change could cause insurers’ investments in fossil fuels to take a huge hit, says bank’s prudential regulation authority".

"The unique intergovernmental panel has forged scientific consensus on climate change by steering clear of hot-button issues. Will new leadership find a way to address the most critical issues for curbing global warming?"