Environment

Animals

Tree-climbing carnivores called fishers are back in Washington’s forests

Thanks to a 14-year reintroduction effort, fishers, or “tree wolverines,” are once again climbing and hunting in Washington’s forests after fur trapping and habitat loss wiped them out.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.