A look at our changing environment.
Vertical farming has been increasingly used for leafy greens like lettuce and kale, as well as for herbs and a few fruits like strawberries and tomatoes. A recent study by the Technical University of Munich has investigated the use of vertical farming for a much broader range of foods. The study looked at the positive […]
After hiding underground for the last 17 years, billions of cicadas are taking to the skies this summer. This batch of insects, known as Brood XIV, will cover more of the U.S. than any other 17-year brood. New York and at least 13 other states – Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, […]
In April, the Trump Administration issued a stop order for the Empire Wind offshore wind project in New York, pushing the $5 billion project to the brink of collapse. The project is being built by the giant Norwegian energy company Equinor. When completed, the wind farm is expected to deliver enough electricity to power 500,000 […]
Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada have developed a method for restoring peatlands at tens of thousands of oil and gas exploration sites in Western Canada. A well pad is a prepared area used for drilling oil or gas wells, encompassing the site where drilling equipment, wellheads, and related facilities are located. Preparing […]
As global temperatures rise due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, communities around the world face more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather events. These growing climate pressures not only strain infrastructure and natural resources, but also play a critical role in shaping where people live. Recent projections from the First Street Foundation, which […]
Atoll islands are made from sediment produced by corals, clams, snails, and varieties of algae that secrete carbonate. Under the right conditions, over time, fragments of coral skeletons, shells, and other sediments made by marine life are piled up by waves. Eventually, islands are formed – some large and some small. Atoll islands are home […]
Worldwide investment in renewable energy topped $2 trillion in 2024. For Climate Solutions Week, we wanted to highlight some amazing projects around the world that showcase innovative technology, ambitious scale, and the commitment to a cleaner and sustainable future. In Morocco, the Noor Solar Power Station is a huge concentrated solar power facility that generates […]
Nature is often seen as a victim of climate change, but it’s also one of the most powerful tools we have to fight it. Natural ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, oceans, and soils, absorb and store massive amounts of carbon dioxide. These ecosystems not only help reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the […]
Climate change is already affecting the yields of major staple crops around the world, and researchers warn that the impacts will become more severe over time. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events are disrupting growing seasons and reducing agricultural productivity. Addressing these growing threats requires rethinking how we grow, distribute, […]
The Human Genome Project is one of the greatest scientific feats in history. It was launched in 1990 and completed in 2003. The international group of researchers wanted to comprehensively study all of the DNA – the genome – from a select set of organisms, foremost of which being that of human beings. The results […]
Over the first several months of this year, hundreds of sea lions, dolphins, and seabirds have fallen ill or died after eating sardines or anchovies that had been feeding on an algal bloom along the California coast since winter. The biotoxin in the algae accumulates in the feeder fish. Two cases of whales dying from […]
New studies have found that devoting a small percentage of U.S. farmland to producing solar power would benefit both the country’s energy system and its farmers. Currently, about 46,000 square miles of farmland – about the area of Pennsylvania – is being used to grow corn to make ethanol. One study looked at the impact […]
Beginning in 2013, a mysterious disease associated with a marine heatwave decimated the population of sunflower sea stars. Those huge, colorful 24-armed starfish thrived along the Pacific Coast between Alaska and Baja California. But in fairly short order, nearly six billion of the creatures perished, amounting to 94% of the global population. California lost 99% […]
According to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report, at least 156 million Americans – 46% of the population – live with unsafe levels of ozone, particulate pollution, or both. The report analyzed ozone and particulate pollution levels between 2021 and 2023, during which the worst wildfire season on record took place […]
Slowing human-caused climate change requires decisive action. But according to psychologists, the gradual rise in global temperatures can lead to climate apathy, especially among those who don’t face frequent climate disasters. Climate apathy is a general indifference or lack of emotional or behavioral response to climate change and environmental issues. People experiencing climate apathy may […]
The world is a big place but even things that are far away can have serious local consequences. The effects of distant Canadian wildfires on air quality in Florida is a good example. Europe is increasingly becoming reliant on solar energy to meet its targets for climate change mitigation and energy security. According to new […]
Feeding a global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by mid-century is a massive challenge. Wheat provides a fifth of the calories in the global human diet and is a significant source of protein, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Finding ways to increase the yield of wheat crops has great value. However, wheat has complex […]
Urban areas can have a variety of green spaces: gardens, parks, and roadside and median plantings. It turns out that these spaces can serve as pollinator refuges. A study by researchers at the University of British Columbia found that reducing lawn mowing and creating pollinator meadows – essentially parks for bugs – significantly boosts pollinator […]
The aviation industry is a powerful force in the global economy. In fact, according to some estimates, the industry transports the equivalent of nearly half the world’s population every year. But the world’s airports were largely designed for an older era – a cooler one. As air warms, it becomes less dense, which makes it […]
Post-industrial cities often have large numbers of vacant lots, left behind as people have moved out of the area. Local residents are often tempted to plant wildflowers to make these deserted spaces more attractive. Wildflowers are an important food source for bees. Pollinators like bees play a vital role in food production and attracting them […]