Earth and Human Activity

More Stories in Earth and Human Activity

  1. Environment

    Gas stoves can spew lots of pollution, even when they’re turned off

    A new study finds they can leak benzene and other harmful chemicals into homes, sometimes at very high levels.

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  2. Environment

    For a better brick, just add poop

    Sewage sludge. Cow dung. They’re not just waste — scientists are finding uses for processed poop in construction materials.

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  3. Climate

    Green energy is cheaper than fossil fuels, a new study finds

    Switching over to clean, renewable power — and away from fossil fuels — could save trillions of dollars by 2050, a new study finds.

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  4. Climate

    Explainer: What is decarbonization?

    Lowering carbon levels in our atmosphere to stabilize the climate may start with switching from fossil fuels to greener energy sources.

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  5. Chemistry

    Explainer: All about carbon dioxide

    Animals and other life on Earth exhale carbon dioxide, which plants use for photosynthesis. But too much of this gas can perturb Earth’s climate.

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  6. Tech

    Underwater cameras get a new power source — sound!

    Needing no batteries, a new digital camera can run almost continuously to offer new, deeper insights into the ocean world.

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  7. Environment

    Microplastic pollution aids viruses and prolongs their infectivity

    The tiny plastic bits give these germs safe havens. That protection seems to increase as the plastic ages and breaks into ever smaller pieces.

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  8. Earth

    Fossil-fuel use is confusing some carbon-dating measurements

    Carbon-14 dating of recent artifacts will soon give scientists confusing results. That’s another price society pays for its reliance on fossil fuels.

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  9. Climate

    Greenland’s inland ice is melting far faster than anyone thought

    Inland melting of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream is accelerating — and may contribute far more to sea level rise than earlier estimates suggested.

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