Earth Summit

12-year-old whose awesome speech floored 1992 Rio Summit returns to Rio+20 as a mom

At the original Rio summit,12-year-old Severn Suzuki became "the girl who silenced the world for six minutes" by giving a kick-ass speech to the assembled delegates.Twenty years later, her perspective has changed but her message hasn't.

Sarah Laskow Culture

A pop culture history of the Earth Summit

When world leaders first gathered to talk about saving the planet, Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” was grooving at the top of the music charts. If only we had it so good today.

Greg Hanscom Science

Secretary Clinton will represent the U.S. at Earth Summit

An announcement from the State Department outlines the full U.S. government delegation.

Philip Bump Politics

The future I want: Reproductive rights in a changing climate

Family planning and sexual health must be part of the conversation at the Rio Earth Summit if we want to build a more just and sustainable world.

Leo Christian V. Lauzon Culture

U.N. tries to inspire world bike revolution, doesn’t

Perhaps you read about the U.N.'s event on Friday, dedicated to getting people to ride bikes? If so, you're in the minority. And there's a good reason why.

Philip Bump Transportation

17-year-old tells world leaders to step up, give her a future

Seventeen-year-old Brittany Trilford says it's time for presidents, prime ministers, and corporate bigwigs to stop destroying the planet. Later this month, she may get to deliver her message in person.

Greg Hanscom Technology

Greens break silence, ask Obama to attend Earth Summit

A coalition of 22 groups representing environmentalists, doctors, scientists, and American Indian tribes tells the president it’s time for him to lead on sustainability.

Greg Hanscom Economics

Will old-school green groups sleep through the Earth Summit?

Twenty years ago, major U.S. environmental groups helped rally support for the Earth Summit in Rio. Today, they can hardly be bothered with it.