Earth

More Stories in Earth

  1. a photo of workers in an automobile factory working on electric vehicles
    Climate

    How electric vehicles offered hope as climate challenges grew

    Amid daunting climate change challenges, electric vehicles swerved into the spotlight this year.

    By Carolyn Gramling
  2. image of the remains of a church on a hillside in Greenland
    Climate

    Vikings may have fled Greenland to escape rising seas

    Vikings abandoned Greenland in the 15th century. Lower temperatures, an expanding ice sheet and rising sea levels may have played a role in their departure.

    By Freda Kreier
  3. mosquito
    Animals

    50 years ago, scientists were genetically modifying mosquitoes

    In 1971, scientists turned to genetics to control disease-spreading mosquitoes without DDT. Today, there are a variety of pesticide-free methods.

    By Maria Temming
  4. photo of a tornado in Oklahoma
    Climate

    How a warming climate may make winter tornadoes stronger

    A climate simulation suggests that higher winter temperatures could make twisters more powerful.

    By Ariana Remmel
  5. photo of Thwaites Glacier
    Climate

    Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier ice shelf could collapse within five years

    The loss of Thwaites’ buttressing ice shelf could hasten the demise of the “Doomsday Glacier” and raise the risk of dramatic sea level rise.

    By Carolyn Gramling
  6. image of wildfire haze over the Golden Gate bridge and the San Francisco skyline
    Climate

    Wildfire smoke may ramp up toxic ozone production in cities

    A new study reveals how wildfire smoke produces toxic ozone and how urban air pollution could exacerbate the problem.

    By Ariana Remmel
  7. Cheatgrass
    Plants

    Invasive grasses are taking over the American West’s sea of sagebrush

    Cheatgrass and other invasive plants are expanding rapidly in the western United States, putting more places at risk for wildfires.

    By Brianna Randall
  8. house on Virginia's Tangier Island surrounded by flood water
    Climate

    Climate change could make Virginia’s Tangier Island uninhabitable by 2051

    Tangier Island could be lost to rising seas sooner than previously realized. Whether to save the island or move its residents remains undecided.

    By Trishla Ostwal
  9. image of sea ice in the Southern Ocean taken from the window of an airplane
    Oceans

    The Southern Ocean is still swallowing large amounts of humans’ carbon dioxide emissions

    A 2018 study suggested the ocean surrounding Antarctica might be taking up less CO₂ than thought, but new data suggest it is still a carbon sink.

    By Carolyn Gramling