Environment
- Earth
Microplastics are blowing in the wind
Tiny pieces of plastic are traveling through the air, a new study shows. A remote mountaintop saw just as much plastic deposited per day as falls on downtown Paris.
- Oceans
Oceans’ fever means fewer fish
Warming oceans have caused fish populations to plummet since 1930. In some regions, the number of fish that can be caught without depleting populations has dropped by more than one-third.
- Environment
Life on Earth is mostly green
A new survey of life on Earth finds that plants and microbes dominate. But even though humans are in the minority, they still play a major role.
- Earth
Earth’s permafrost is heating up
Climate change is warming Earth’s permafrost — and in some places thawing it. This could lead to massive releases of planet-warming greenhouse gases.
- Plants
Rare-plant hunters race against time to save at-risk species
One in five plants is at risk of extinction. Meet the rare plant hunters who rappel down cliffs and trek through forests to save them.
- Climate
Distant volcano could turn latest lunar eclipse dark red
The recent eruption of Anak Krakatau, an Indonesian volcano, could alter the color of this coming weekend’s lunar eclipse.
- Science & Society
Here’s the science you loved in 2018
When our readers read about science, they want to read about research that hits close to home, like smartphones, chocolate, vaping and more.
- Science & Society
ICYMI: 2018’s top science offerings
From gene-edited babies to firenados and lavanados, this year offered both stunning news and curiosities in the world of science and research.
- Environment
Renewable energy might be able to green a desert
Computer models show that placing wind turbines and solar farms in deserts could increase how much rain falls in nearby areas.
- Climate
California’s Carr Fire spawned a true fire tornado
On July 23, an innocuous spark grew into California’s deadly Carr Fire. Three days later, it unleashed a lethal fire tornado.
- Environment
Is climate change fanning megafires?
Climate studies predict that a warmer world will up the risk of megafires. Now, scientists are studying real blazes for the fingerprint of a warming climate.
- Climate
Eastern Pacific records its most energetic hurricane season
The eastern Pacific Ocean has been cranking out storms. Now it’s reached its most active season on record.
