Visitors to this portal can find links to a large selection of media outlets. The outlets include television networks, individual TV programs, broadcast news organizations, newpapers, magazines, and others for the United States and around the world. Themes in this list cover environmental and conservation issues. Full description.

Approximately one-third of the Earth's land surface is desert, arid land with meager rainfall that supports only sparse vegetation and a limited population of people and animals. Deserts are also fragile environments. The misuse of these lands is a serious and growing problem in parts of our world. This web page, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, describes how deserts are defined and classified. ... Full description.

This press release summarizes the results of research on sediment cores taken from the subtropical Atlantic Ocean. Analyses of organic molecules from planktonic algae in the sediments indicates that large and abrupt temperature changes in warm areas of the ocean occurred at the end of the last glacial period. Full description.

Most of Earth's deserts can be found in dry areas created by global circulation patterns. The deserts of our world are not restricted by latitude, longitude, or elevation. This site, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, uses text and pictures to describe how atmospheric circulation patterns influence the locations of deserts on Earth and possibly on other terrestrial planets as well. Full description.

This site offers information about the mission of the R.V. Heraclitus, the research vessel of the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation, which began in 1995 and is expected to conclude in 2010. Expedition goals are outlined. These include gathering baseline information on the condition of selected reef ecosystems, supporting the monitoring and mapping of reefs using satellite technology, furthering knowledge ... Full description.

The homepage of the Union of Concerned Scientists provides visitors with an overview of the science community's concern with environmental issues, energy policy, scientific integrity, and public health. Materials include news articles, reports, and suggestions for people who wish to become active in promoting these issues. Full description.

The Planetary Coral Reef Foundation was founded in 1991 to address the growing crisis of destruction of coral reefs. Topics include the PCRF's mission, its research activities at sea and in space, wastewater recycling, conservation tips that can help preserve reefs, and the organization's ship, R.V. Heraclitus. Full description.

This collection of visualizations was made from Landsat imagery. Many of these visualizations are designed to show changes in our environment through time. Subjects include glacial retreat, urban growth, landforms and coastlines, floods, fires, deforestation, volcanism, and others. Full description.

This image is part of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science for Schools website. Other imagery includes photographs of water being measured and sampled, being used in various ways, and illustrations of how human activity influences the water system. Written descriptions of activities being shown are provided. Links to other parts of the Water Science for Schools website are also present. Full description.

This movie shows global seasonal variations in green leaf area index, sea ice cover, and snow cover on land. Full description.