Water, energy, and demography – these were the themes of the most popular stories from last month. It seems natural resources and their consumption are on people’s minds.

It’s hard to fathom the scale of inputs needed to keep humanity humming, but a new infographic from the Wilson Center launched last month gives a glimpse. “Tracking the Energy Titans” allows users to compare a myriad of energy data points for the United States, China, and Canada. Did you know, for example, that the commercial sector in the United States consumes more than six times as much energy as the commercial sector in China? For more, visit NewSecurityBeat.org/EnergyTitans.

1. As Droughts, Floods, Die-Offs Proliferate, “Climate Trauma” a Growing Phenomenon, Carley Chavara

2. Why Has the Demographic Transition Stalled in Sub-Saharan Africa?, Elizabeth Leahy Madsen

3. What Can Governments Do About Falling Birth Rates?, Paris Achenbach and Moses Jackson

4. Peace Park Expedition to Balkans Reveals Tensions Over Development, Rule of Law for New Governments, Students of the 2014 Balkans Peace Park Expedition

5. What’s Behind West and Central Africa’s Youthful Demographics? High Desired Family Size, Elizabeth Leahy Madsen

6. Red Cross: Water Continues to Be Used as Weapon of War in Syria, Schuyler Null

7. Despite Massive Conservation, Recycling, Imports, Shenzhen Faces Water Shortages, Coco Liu

8. Water Wars? Think Again: Conflict Over Freshwater Structural Rather Than Strategic, Cameron Harrington

9. From Gaza to the Euphrates, Alarm Bells for Mideast Water Resources, Schuyler Null

10. Tracking the Energy Titans: Hidden Trends in the United States, China, and Canada [Infographic], David Rejeski