Agricultural Essentials
USDA | READ STORY

The USDA has compiled a selection of charts highlighting essential details of the contemporary world and U.S. agricultural situation. These charts include, for instance, illustrations of the portion of the U.S. economy made up by agricultural markets, the division between rural and urban areas, and price changes for at home food items.

Increases in Rural Poverty

Daily Yonder | READ STORY

Although the national poverty rate has not increased, the rural or non-metro poverty rate has, such that non-metro rates are now 2.7% higher than the national average. However, the number of rural uninsured decreased by approximately 58,000 individuals between 2011 and 2012.

The Course of Global Warming
NASA | READ STORY

In response to a recent study released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, NASA has produced a video demonstration of predicted changes to the world climate during the 21st century. NASA reports that the sharpest temperature increases are predicted in the Northern hemisphere, and areas such as the Rocky Mountains and Northern Canada may be among the first to experience changes.

Who Doesn't Go Online?
Pew Internet | READ STORY

The Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project has published a report examining the non-internet-using portion of the American population, and why it is that they've yet to adopt the technology. About 20% of the rural population is non-internet-using, compared to only 14% of both urban and suburban populations.

Worst Case Scenarios
Top MS in Healthcare | READ STORY

This interactive infographic, drawing data from a number of sources, presents the worst states to live in under a number of categories: lightning strikes, loss of teeth, cancer death, and so forth. Montana figures among the worst states for traffic fatalities.

The Frequency of Pipeline Spills
EnergyWire | READ STORY

EnergyWire reports that the rate of spills and other accidents involving railroad transport of crude oil has spiked significantly in recent years, as corroborated by this report from Oregon Public Broadcasting. There were only one or two incidents a year in the early 1990's, whereas there were 88 separate incidents in 2012, a number of which were connected to the Bakken oil field.

Talking About Climate Change
Yale | READ STORY

This report by Yale's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies investigates how and by whom climate change is being discussed in America. The study shows, among other things, that approximately 10% of Americans have contacted government officials about issues related to climate change during the past year.