Since last year’s Earth Day, our planet has seen environmental calamity and political cowardice: from the continuing fallout of Japan’s nuclear crisis to the frighteningly little progress governments around the world have made toward slowing the pace of climate change, Earth remains a dangerous place to live. But there are signs of hope. In the most recent issue of the magazine, Lucia Green-Weiskel reports that China, the world’s second-largest economy, is emerging as a pacesetter in solar and wind technology. And this week at TheNation.com, Christian Parenti lays out in detail how our green energy future won’t be found in nuclear power. Browse our Environment section for more articles, videos and slide shows about fighting back against pollution and global warming.

In honor of Earth Day 2011, The Nation has collected some of our strongest reporting from the past year on the environment, climate change and what can be done to protect our planet.

Naomi Klein, The Search for BP’s Oil
As the gulf is declared "safe," scientists look deep in the sea for evidence of lasting damage.

Jonathan Schell, From Hiroshima to Fukushima
The problem with mankind wielding nuclear power isn’t about backup generators or safety rules—it’s our essential human fallibility.

Mark Hertsgaard, Confronting the Climate Cranks
It’s time to take on those who are sabotaging our response to the climate crisis—face to face.

Christian Parenti, The Big Green Buy
How Obama can use the government’s purchasing power to spark the clean-energy revolution.

Johann Hari, The Wrong Kind of Green
Exposing the uncomfortably close relationship between conservation groups and corporate cash.