Climate
Disaster
The Extreme Weather Conditions That Drove the Carolina Wildfires
The wildfires in the Carolinas have followed months of whiplash weather—drought, followed by hurricane-fueled floods, and then more drought.
Lauren Lowman and Nick Corak
Regulations and Solutions
One Photographer’s Quest to Redefine the Shark
With his magnificent underwater images, Gerardo del Villar wants to rehabilitate the reputation of the ocean's great predators, inspire conservation, and encourage responsible ecotourism.
Geraldine Castro
The Biggest US Banks Have All Backed Out of a Commitment to Reach Net Zero
In the lead up to the inauguration, the six largest US banks left a voluntary alliance with the UN to reach net zero by 2050. Now, critics are calling for new climate laws.
Joseph Winters
This Goopy Seaweed Slurry Could Make Its Way Into Everything You Eat and Wear
A startup called Marine Biologics is breaking down seaweed into its base components so they can be used for a range of consumer applications, from foodstuffs to cosmetics to bioplastics.
Boone Ashworth
These Plants Photosynthesize Deep in the Arctic Even When There’s No Light
Under the sea ice during the Arctic’s pitch-black polar night, cells power photosynthesis on the lowest light levels ever observed in nature.
Asher Elbein
Oceans and Waterways
The Best Reusable Water Bottles That Aren’t Stanley Cups
Stay hydrated in style and cut down on single-use plastic with our favorite bottles—now updated with information on lead.
Boutayna Chokrane
Appalachians Are Trapped in a Disastrous Cycle of Flooding and Rebuilding
Kentucky and Tennessee have flooded repeatedly in recent years, but with little ability to develop land on higher ground, many residents are forced to continue living in high-risk areas.
Kristina P. Brant
Mobulas, an Aquatic Wonder of the Gulf of California, Are Disappearing
Conservationists are determined to protect the magnificent rays of the Pacific—whether that’s tracking them with acoustic tags or flying drones, or through exposing the black market for their meat and parts.
Geraldine Castro
How to Get PFAS Out of Drinking Water—and Keep It Out
Filters in water pitchers or under-sink systems capture dangerous chemicals, only for them to be returned to the environment. A researcher from North Carolina is pioneering a new system that could get rid of forever chemicals forever.
Chris Baraniuk
Extreme Heat
When Fires Rage, Millions Turn to Watch Duty. Meet the Guy Who Made It
Watch Duty proved indispensable during the recent LA wildfires. John Mills, the app’s creator, wants it to be the one place to go for tracking disasters. He just needs all the data to do it.
Boone Ashworth
California’s Problem Now Isn’t Fire—It’s Rain
Torrential rain is expected this week in Los Angeles, which risks producing flash flooding and landslides in areas stripped of vegetation by the recent wildfires.
Eric Holthaus
Early Detection Tools Help but They Can’t Stop Every Wildfire
Tree-mounted sensors and new satellites promise a way to detect wildfires before they get out of hand—but no early detection method is foolproof.
Matt Reynolds
How an Indie Studio Got 400-Plus Games Into a $10 Bundle to Help LA Fire Victims
As wildfires and other effects of climate change threaten the future of the region, devs are pulling together to raise funds for those affected.
Megan Farokhmanesh
More Stories
Takeover
This DOGE Engineer Has Access to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Tim Marchman and Matt Giles
All Change
Even Trump Can’t Stop America’s Green Transition, Says Biden’s Top Climate Adviser
Matt Reynolds