Climate

Tech

Gravity ‘batteries’ might help a weighty renewable-energy problem

To store the energy generated by wind and solar power, researchers are looking at mammoth systems that raise and lower weights.

Tech

High-tech solar ‘leaves’ create green fuels from the sun

Chemists make a liquid alternative to fossil fuels from carbon dioxide, water and the sun. Their trick? They use a new type of artificial leaf.

Earth

Canada’s Crawford Lake seems to mark when the Anthropocene began

Mud at the bottom of this lake holds a record showing how humanity has been changing our planet. But the Anthropocene isn’t an official new epoch yet.

Physics

Explainer: What is chaos theory?

Chaos can help scientists explore subjects from climate change to human brains. Learn about the theory behind this field of science.

Climate

Explainer: What is an atmospheric river?

These long-traveling storm systems bring moisture to many parts of the world. Here’s what scientists are learning about them.

Climate

For greener toilets and air conditioning, consider saltwater

Using saltwater would allow coastal cities to save their freshwater for drinking and to reduce their carbon footprints. Some could save money, too.

Tech

New technologies could keep people cool in a warming world

New approaches to air conditioning aim to keep people cool with fewer greenhouse-gas emissions as our world warms.

Climate

Due to global warming, major league hitters are slugging more home runs

Major League Baseball has seen an average of 58 more home runs each season since 2010. The apparent reason: reduced friction on the balls in warmer air.

Health & Medicine

How to be heat-safe when playing sports

Protecting young athletes from overheating is getting more important as climate change turns up the temperature.

Climate

Here’s how to increase clean energy without harming wildlife

Wind farms, solar panels and more take up land and may harm wildlife. Researchers are working to resolve this conflict.

Agriculture

Native Amazonians make rich soils — and ancient people may have too

Modern Amazonians make nutrient-rich soil from ash, food scraps and burns. The soil strongly resembles ancient “dark earth” found in the region.

Climate

Creating less new stuff could greatly help Earth’s climate

Instead of throwing unneeded things away, scientists recommend moving to a cycle of reducing, reusing, repairing and remaking old things into new ones.