Earth

Environment

Air pollution takes a toll on solar energy

Air pollution can rob the light needed for solar panels to make electricity. In India and China, the percent solar energy losses can reach double digits.

Climate

Did Maria set another U.S. rainfall record?

Weather scientists are investigating whether Maria set another U.S. record for flooding rainfalls.

Oceans

Expedition finds South Pacific plastic patch bigger than India

A giant, floating ‘garbage patch’ in the South Pacific off Chile’s coast is mostly tiny bits of plastic.

Environment

Light pollution can foil plant-insect hookups

An experiment in remote European meadows shows that light pollution at night can affect the pollination of flowers — even into sunlight hours.

Climate

Scientists Say: Weather bomb

Weather doesn’t just affect the air. Huge storms can send waves of pressure through the Earth as well.

Climate

Here’s why Irma caused some coastal water to temporarily go missing

The first sign of an impending storm surge — and serious danger — may be the sudden, wholesale retreat of water from coastal beaches.

Climate

Five portraits of Hurricane Irma’s record-breaking fury

A series of remarkable images capture Hurricane Irma’s power and might — and the lessons they can teach scientists.

Chemistry

Recycling urine may be a way to boost plant growth

A new chemical method makes nutrient-rich fertilizers from human urine.

Climate

Picturing how many Great Salt Lakes Harvey dropped onto Texas

Harvey’s astounding rainfall shattered records. The numbers are so high that it can be tough to picture what they mean. Here we give it a try.

Climate

Hurricane Harvey proved to be a tornado master

Harvey and other hurricanes have spawned tornadoes — sometimes by the dozens. And these tropical cyclones don’t need the typical recipe to spin those twisters loose.

Microbes

Under Antarctic ice, microbes gobble up greenhouse gas

In a lake far beneath the Antarctic ice sheet, scientists have found bacteria that eat methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Climate

Hurricane Harvey’s rains set U.S. record

Here are some of the issues that made this storm such an epic rainfall-producer, and why storms like it could become more common.