Earth and Human Activity

Life

Has the Endangered Species Act saved species from extinction?

After 50 years, this landmark law has kept many species alive — but few wild populations have recovered enough to come off the “endangered” list.

Environment

New ultrathin materials can pull climate-warming CO₂ from the air

To slow global warming, we’ll need help from CO2-trapping materials. Enter MXenes. They’re strong and reactive — and they love to eat up CO2.

Oceans

Shading corals during midday heat can limit bleaching

Shading coral reefs during the sunniest part of the day may help corals survive marine heat waves.

Tech

How green is your online life?

From the manufacturing of our favorite devices to using them for social interactions, our digital lives can have a big climate impact.

Tech

Bits of trees can make and store energy for us to use

This cellulose and lignin, two major building blocks of trees, could lead to greener electronics.

Tech

Bionic plants and electric algae may usher in a greener future

Some can aid the climate by removing pollutants. Others would just avoid dirtying the environment in the first place.

Climate

Some tree leaves are finding it too hot for photosynthesis

Earth’s ongoing fever threatens to push entire forests toward this heat limit — and possible death.

Oceans

Explainer: Why are so many hurricanes strengthening really fast?

This dangerous trend appears relatively new — and growing. Studies also have begun linking it to our warming world.

Tech

Engineers cook up a new way to tackle CO₂: Make baking soda

Engineers have found a material that can collect carbon dioxide from the air. When later mixed with water, it forms baking soda that can be shed in the sea.

Materials Science

A new hydrogel could help pull drinking water from the air

The salty gel absorbs more water from the air than similar gels, even in desert climates. This could provide clean water for drinking or farming.

Animals

Adult corals have been frozen and revived for the first time

Living corals could be frozen for safekeeping. Scientists could later revive them to restore reef ecosystems that are withering in warming seas.

Climate

Let’s learn about why summer 2023 was so hot

Human-caused climate change has played a big role in this summer’s historic heat.