The U.S. census it a great resource to look at population change," said Mather, "not only at the national level, but the regional level, state level, and to see what's happening in local communities all the way down to the city block level."

Use of wind power is on the rise, Sawyer said, as governments all over the world consider how to generate more electricity and emit fewer of the greenhouse gases thought to be warming the planet.

"Creativity is critically important for sustainable business," said Robert Epstein, "in part because sustainability is a goal that has a deadline." Read more.

Marvin Odum, president of Shell Oil, gives Shell’s perspective on the most immediate solutions to climate change and the role the U.S. should take.

Skunk's spray, rotting meat, bad breath, and swamp water all have something chemically in common. Read more about the smelliest substance in existence.

The Census gets more challenging every ten years. National Census Day is only once every decade. Read more about it here and why you should celebrate.

The Earth has entered a new age of geological time – the epoch of new man, according to some scientists.

"If you have a lot of experience multitasking," said Earl Miller, "your brain is going to get wired more towards multitasking than if you're not used to it."

With a population of 10 billion by 2050, how can we manage and adapt to Earth's land surface? Read the top 11 questions about geophysical sciences for the coming decade.

The goal, says Novogratz, CEO of Acumen Fund, is to find a way to bring these essential services to low income people not just today, but in a way that's sustainable over time. Read more about sustainable small business solutions.