Environment

Understanding, enjoying, and protecting the world we inhabit

Environment

Edible Six-Pack Rings Could Make The Ocean Safe Again

No more turtle tragedies

By G. Clay Whittaker posted May 19th, 2016

Imagine a world where wildlife drawn to six pack rings aren't slowly killed, but treated to a delicious snack.
Science

Some Trees Let Down Their Branches At Night

Ahhhh...so relaxing

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 18th, 2016

Relax, let your branches down.
Environment

April's Temperatures Broke Records For The 12th Consecutive Month

And that's not all of the bad news

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 18th, 2016

Hmmm...this is starting to look like a pattern.
Environment

Does This Blob Of Cold Water Mean La Niña Is On Its Way?

Maybe

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 17th, 2016

A strong El Niño has been wreaking havoc on weather around the world for a year.
Environment

Don't Blame The Solomon Islands Sinking All On Climate Change

There are other factors at work, the study's author says

By Christine Jun posted May 16th, 2016

The report's author blames the media for "exaggerated" doomsday headlines.
Environment

This Is The State Of The World's Plants, By The Numbers

It's a green, green world

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 16th, 2016

How many plants have you seen today? Crops in fields? Towering trees? That wilting houseplant you forgot to water? Go ahead, water it, I'll wait.

Environment

See The ‘Doom Spiral’ That Perfectly Explains Global Warming

The effects may soon be irreversible

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 10th, 2016

A round infographic has been making the rounds on the internet.
Environment

Rising Sea Level Drowns Five Pacific Islands

Atlantis Parts II, III, IV, V, and VI

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 10th, 2016

Major cities like New York, Miami, and Boston are preparing for sea level rise, but in some places, it's too late for action.
Environment

See An Enormous Tornado Captured On 360-Degree Video

A storm chaser captured this terrifying twister near Wray, Colorado

By Carl Franzen posted May 9th, 2016

To my knowledge, it's the first time a tornado has ever been captured on this medium. I'm sure it won't be the last.
Environment

Watch Live Video from the Mariana Trench

Before they finish scouting for "The Real Housewives of Mariana."

By G. Clay Whittaker posted May 6th, 2016

See the beauty of live Mariana Trench explorative footage the way it was meant to be viewed: live. Until July 10 the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is broadcasting three…

Environment

Satellite Images Show Wide View Of Canadian Wildfire Disaster

Over 80,000 forced to evacuate this week

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 5th, 2016

Last year record-setting wildfires raged across North America, and this year firefighters across the continent are bracing for another bad season…
Science

Winning Data Stories Explain How The World Works In 90 Seconds

Gatherings, gazelles, and Mars' dwindling atmosphere

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 5th, 2016

How can you explain a complicated scientific concept in just 90 seconds?
Animals

Take A Look At These Deep Sea Corals Off The Coast Of Maine

Beautiful footage of thriving reefs

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 4th, 2016

Maine isn't just home to blueberries and lobsters.
Animals

Australia Will Deliberately Release Herpes Virus To Kill Invasive Carp

Using a disease to kill a plague

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 3rd, 2016

A herpes infection in humans is usually an annoyance, featuring intermittent blisters. In fish, herpes can be deadly.
Environment

Study Finds Fireworks Contaminated Groundwater Near Mount Rushmore

Cause baby you're a menace to society

By Mary Beth Griggs posted May 2nd, 2016

Fireworks have kind of a terrible environmental reputation. And it's getting worse.
From Our Blogs: Boxplot

Fall(out) Guy Part 12

It's time to cleanup some radioactive fallout!

By Maki Naro posted Apr 30th, 2016

What do Dr. Seuss and radiation cleanup have in common?

Environment

Meet The Tiniest Crop Duster

A new strategy to keep plant pathogens at bay

By Annabel Edwards posted Apr 29th, 2016

A potential new way for bees to protect their colonies from destruction.
Environment

Climate Change Will Noticeably Reduce Oxygen In The Oceans By 2030

It's getting harder and harder to breathe

By Mary Beth Griggs posted Apr 27th, 2016

A study published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles found that we will be able to detect a loss of oxygen due to climate change in oceans all over the world by 2030.

Animals

Detailed Portraits Turn Dead Insects Into Stunning Artwork

These bugs are ready for their close-up

By Mary Beth Griggs posted Apr 27th, 2016

A picture might be worth a thousand words, but it takes a thousand pictures to capture a bug in this level of detail.
Environment

Wood-And-Glue Skyscrapers Are On The Rise

And they could help fight climate change

By Jeremy Deaton posted Apr 26th, 2016

Thanks to advances in wood construction, the next generation of skyscraper will be made of spruce, not steel. Architects are crafting jaw-droppingly beautiful wood…
Environment

30 Years After Chernobyl, Watch a 360-Degree VR Trailer Of The Disaster Site

It's the most immersive exploration of the site ever

By G. Clay Whittaker posted Apr 26th, 2016

A new 360-degree trailer for the Chernobyl VR project shows what the abandoned town looks like 30 years after disaster struck.

Environment

Coral Reef Larger Than Delaware Found At The Foot Of The Amazon

The reef was hidden in murky, shallow water

By G. Clay Whittaker posted Apr 25th, 2016

Scientists found a new, gigantic coral reef in South America. Murky waters at the foot of the Amazon River disguised a coral reef more massive than Delaware and with…
Aviation

The Best Pictures From Solar Impulse 2's Flight From Hawaii To Silicon Valley

Solar-powered plane continues its journey around the world

By Mary Beth Griggs posted Apr 25th, 2016

A typical commercial flight from Hawaii to San Francisco takes a little over five hours. On Saturday, pilot Bertrand Piccard completed the journey in 62.5 hours.
Environment

10 Environmental Losses To Start Fixing This Earth Day

Sometimes the news is bad

By Grennan Milliken posted Apr 22nd, 2016

Better get cracking.
Environment

15 Years Of Google's Earth Day Doodles

We've come a long way since 2001

By Dave Gershgorn posted Apr 22nd, 2016

Fifteen Years Of Google's Earth Day Doodles…
Environment

Video: Leonardo DiCaprio Urges United Nations To Take Paris Climate Agreement Seriously

"The world is watching"

By Mary Beth Griggs posted Apr 22nd, 2016

Leonardo DiCaprio was asked to speak to the UN General Assembly today, reprising his Oscar acceptance speech.
Environment

Does Earth Day Still Matter?

The country's environmental chief tells PopSci why the holiday is more important than ever

By Grennan Milliken posted Apr 22nd, 2016

The head of the EPA sat down with Popular Science on Earth Day to talk about the importance of the holiday, the current environmental movement, the state of our planet, and…