Earth and Human Activity

Chemistry

A new catalyst turns greenhouse gas into jet fuel

The catalyst is an improvement over its predecessors. Made of cheap materials like iron, it produces jet fuel in a single step.

Ecosystems

Can people protect as much space as nature needs?

To save biodiversity, nations are drafting a plan to protect 30 percent of Earth by 2030. Up for debate is how best to do that.

Agriculture

Dew collector brings water to thirsty plants

This invention grabs water from the air at night. All it needs is the sun’s warmth the next day to release that moisture to growing plants.

Environment

Camels have been dying after mistaking plastic for food

Plastic waste has been building up in the guts of some camels. It may now be killing off one percent of them in the United Arab Emirates each year.

Environment

Analyze this: Microplastics are showing up in Mount Everest’s snow

Microplastics have made their way to the snow on Earth’s tallest peak. Most of the plastic likely comes from climbers’ equipment and clothes.

Chemistry

A soil-based ‘concrete’ could make buildings green, even on Mars

A new soil-based material offers an alternative to concrete for 3-D printing environmentally friendly buildings.

Environment

Old clothes soon may be recycled, not trashed

One day, clothes may be recycled almost as much as plastics and glass are now. See how chemists are moving us in that direction.

Environment

Why today’s ‘fast fashions’ can be bad for the planet

The constant buy-wear-toss cycle of fast fashion isn’t sustainable. It hurts the environment and takes a toll on our wallets, too.

Chemistry

Here’s how to make flip-flops biodegradable

Innovative flip-flops made from an algae-based plastic decompose in soil or compost. The comfy shoes also avoid use of fossil fuels.

Animals

Around the world, birds are in crisis

Human activities around the world are threatening bird species. Numbers of even some of the most common species are starting to fall.

Environment

Surprising long-haul dust and tar are melting high glaciers

Dust and tar blown onto high mountains, like the Himalayas, boost the melting of snow and ice far more than scientists had realized. Here’s why.

Computing

Explainer: What is an algorithm?

These step-by-step instructions underlie social media, internet searches and other computer-based activities. But what are they exactly? We explain.