The Year In Environmental Photos

Record-breaking heat waves and droughts, tornados that barreled through the Midwest and the most devastation weather event of all — Sandy — made the climate conversation feel particularly urgent in 2012. Click on for the most powerful green images of the year.

The Year In Environmental Photos

Environment 2012

Environment 2012

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Fracking

In New York, opponents rallied against the controversial gas drilling method hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," on the steps of City Hall last January. Advocates say fracking would spur economic development, but critics warn of possible contamination of the state's drinking water.

Getty Images

This story appears in the year-end photo issue of our weekly iPad magazine, Huffington, in the iTunes App store, available Friday, Dec. 28.