After remaining stable for most of human history, the world’s population has exploded over the last two centuries. The boom is not over: The biggest generation in history is just entering its childbearing years. The coming wave will reshape the planet, and the impact will be greatest in the poorest, most unstable countries.  Read more and see videos, maps, and pictures here. 

A new NASA study has found that extreme heat events are far more likely to occur than five decades ago, a phenomenon that researchers link to climate change.  Read more about this study here. 

The University of Washington campus was home to 52 migrant high school students from across the state during the UW Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity’s College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Dare to Dream Academy, June 24-29. For one week, students experienced college life and were exposed to resources for pursuing higher education.  Several activities were held in partnership with the College of the Environment – read more about this experience here! 

Ocean acidification caused by climate change is making it harder for creatures from clams to sea urchins to grow their shells, and the trend is likely to be felt most in polar regions, scientists said on Monday.  Read more about this here.   

Changes are afoot downstream (and upstream, for that matter) of the old Elwha Dam site.  Read about what Washington Sea Grant’s Ian Miller is discovering at the mouth of the river as the beach rebuilds in today’s Seattle Times.