Environment

  1. A clear blue lake in a forest
    Climate

    Climate change could turn some blue lakes to green or brown

    As temperatures rise, more than 1 in 10 of the world’s blue lakes could change color, reflecting holistic shifts in lake ecosystems.

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  2. photo of natural gas flares in the foreground at the Bakken Formation in the Williston Basin in North Dakota in 2021
    Climate

    Gas flares are leaking five times as much methane than previously thought

    The flares burn off methane at 91 percent efficiency. Achieving 98 percent efficiency would be like taking nearly 3 million cars off the road.

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  3. Jacky Austermann and William D'Andrea on the Bahamas' Crooked Island
    Earth

    Jacky Austermann looks to the solid earth for clues to sea level rise

    Jacky Austermann’s work could help inform practical climate change solutions for at-risk coastal cities.

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  4. Photo of a swamp
    Ecosystems

    ‘Fen, Bog & Swamp’ reminds readers why peatlands matter

    In her latest book, author Annie Proulx chronicles people’s long history with peatlands and examines the ecological value of these overlooked places.

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  5. Photo of Saba island
    Ecosystems

    A Caribbean island gets everyone involved in protecting beloved species

    Scientists on Saba are introducing island residents to conservation of Caribbean orchids, red-billed tropicbirds and urchins.

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  6. photo shows mangrove trees in the foreground and a beach with boats on the water in the background
    Environment

    Mangrove forests expand and contract with a lunar cycle

    The carbon-sequestering trees grow in a roughly 18-year cycle according to tides influenced by the moon’s orbit, a study in Australia finds.

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  7. photo of models wearing pink and white Zara dresses where one model's face looks to the camera and the torso of another model is visible
    Climate

    How to make recyclable plastics out of CO2 to slow climate change

    Companies are turning atmospheric CO2 from smokestacks and landfills into plastics to shrink their carbon footprint.

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  8. image of two pairs of sneakers by a door
    Climate

    A carbon footprint life cycle assessment can cut down on greenwashing

    As companies try to reduce their carbon footprint, many are doing life cycle assessments to quantify the full carbon cost of their products.

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  9. Yasmin Morales stands in the doorway of her home with debris and the Puerto Rico landscape visible behind her. The roof is absent. Jugs of water sit on a counter top, and two big blue barrels stand in front of her.
    Climate

    A coral pollution study unexpectedly helped explain Hurricane Maria’s fury

    Tracking coral reef pollution in Puerto Rico, conservation researchers discovered by chance how the coastal ocean fueled Hurricane Maria.

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  10. Seven yellow water-resistant jackets hanging up on a rack next to a pair of yellow rain boots
    Environment

    Common, cheap ingredients can break down some ‘forever chemicals’

    Forever chemicals, or PFAS, are harmful compounds that are very difficult to degrade. But some are no match for lye and dimethyl sulfoxide.

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  11. dark field microscope images of long, thin cable bacteria filaments
    Environment

    Electrical bacteria may help clean oil spills and curb methane emissions

    Cable bacteria are living electrical wires that may become a tool to reduce methane emissions and clean oil spills.

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  12. array of reflectors around a tower with a solar reactor
    Environment

    How to make jet fuel from sunlight, air and water vapor

    Solar kerosene could one day replace petroleum-derived jet fuel in airplanes and help stabilize greenhouse gas emissions.

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