Environmental Science

The environment is truly a thing of beauty and should be protected whenever possible. What can we do to save the environment, and what new technology is available to help us?

Topics to Explore

10 Things That Don’t Disprove Global Warming

Could color-coded bacteria help spot oil spills?

How Relief Wells Work

How the Chicago Climate Exchange Works

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How the Ancient Land Blob Gondwana Became Today's Continents

Gondwana was a humongous landmass that persisted for 300 million years before it began to break up, forming all the continents in the modern Southern Hemisphere.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 15, 2019 Geology / Geologic Processes

Polymer SunBOTs Imitate Sunflowers to Create Maximum Solar Energy

These new devices may be used in the future to absorb more of the sun's energy than today's solar panels are capable of collecting.

By Patrick J. Kiger Nov 13, 2019 Green Technology / Energy Production Technologies

How Artificial Glaciers Are Hydrating the Himalayas

Ice stupas are artificial glaciers that store frozen water to be used for hydrating crops in the driest stretches of the year in the high desert of Himalaya.

By Mark Mancini Oct 25, 2019 Conservation / Conservation Issues

Plate Tectonics Puts Together the Puzzle of Earth's Shifting Crust

The Earth is unique in the solar system because its surface is made of moving plates, which may enable the very existence of life.

By Patrick J. Kiger Oct 24, 2019 Geology / Geologic Processes

Green or Blue? The Best Turquoise Is More Valuable Than Diamonds

Cultures all over the world have treasured turquoise for its color and rarity for thousands of years — from Native American jewelry and Aztec and Mesoamerican art to King Tutankhamun's death mask.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Oct 22, 2019 Geology / Minerals

How the Salton Sea Became an Eco Wasteland

California's largest inland lake has essentially become a ticking ecological time bomb. And the clock is running out — fast.

By Stephanie Parker Oct 9, 2019 Conservation / Conservation Issues

How Solar Panel Highways Work

Could solar cells be the asphalt of the 21st century?

By Patrick E. George & Cherise Threewitt Environmental Science / Energy Production

Carbon Capture-to-fuel Is Here

Wouldn't it be nice if we could pull CO2 out of thin air and transform it into a fuel that's better for the environment?Now we can.

By Mark Mancini Sep 22, 2019 Environmental Science / Energy Production

10 Things You Can Do to Help Save the Earth

Climate change is the defining issue of our time, and we are at a defining moment of history. What can you do to make a difference? We've got 10 tips for you.

By Katie Lambert & Sarah Gleim Environmental Science / Green Science

'Climate Kids' Sue U.S. Over Future of the Environment

A group of 21 U.S. kids are taking the government to court for failing to address the climate crisis. Can they possibly win?

By John Donovan Sep 19, 2019 Conservation / Conservationists

How Some Cities Prepare to Withstand Climate Change

Rising sea levels, increased flood and extreme heat are all signs of climate change. Cities are trying some innovate strategies to cope with and mitigate these events.

By Dave Roos Sep 19, 2019 Environmental Science / Green Science

Are Plastic-eating Enzymes Our Planet's Only Hope?

Scientists are hoping two enzymes are the key to breaking down huge amounts of plastic.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 17, 2019 Environmental Science / Green Science

The Anthropocene Epoch: Humans vs. the Earth

Many scientists believe that humans influence Earth at a rate so massive that a change to the geologic time scale is in order.

By Mark Mancini Sep 16, 2019 Geology / Geologic Processes

What's the Difference Between Global Warming and Climate Change?

Global warming and climate change are terms often treated like synonyms, but they have different meanings. We'll explain the difference and why both are so important to know.

By Mark Mancini Sep 15, 2019 Environmental Science / Green Science

Female Citizen Scientists Set Sail to Tackle Ocean Plastic

EXXpedition founder Emily Penn will captain the 300, all-female crew in its first Round the World sailing voyage.

By Patty Rasmussen Sep 9, 2019 Earth Science / Oceanography

London Becomes the World's First National Park City

The city is planning to be 50 percent greenspace by 2050. Who says you can't take the Tube to a pub in the middle of a national park?

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 4, 2019 Conservation / Conservation Issues

Cobalt: Essential for Batteries and Bright Blues

Cobalt is associated with the color blue, but it's so needed for rechargeable batteries that the U.S. put it on the list of minerals it can't live without.

By Dave Roos Aug 28, 2019 Geology / Minerals

Gingko Biloba Leaves Help Track Climate Change

The tree that survived three major extinction events on Earth might be key in helping us understand the climate crisis ahead.

By Jesslyn Shields Aug 26, 2019 Conservation / Conservation Issues

'The Fighting Women' of Africa Collect Plastic to Build Schools

In Africa's Ivory Coast, a group of women saw a need and came together to collect plastic for recycling into bricks to build schools.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Aug 23, 2019 Sustainable Technologies / Sustainable Technologies in the Community

Are Bug Zappers Bad News?

Not only do bug zappers mostly kill beneficial insects, they also can serve you up a side of bacteria with your burger.

By Chris Opfer Aug 22, 2019 Conservation / Conservation Issues

There's a Rhino-shaped Cave in Washington State

It's perhaps one of the strangest fossils ever discovered. We'll explain how it came to be 15 million years ago, and how hikers found it in the '30s.

By Mark Mancini Aug 7, 2019 Geology / Paleontology

6 Tough Facts About Titanium

What's as strong as steel but half the weight; able to live in almost any body part and an important part of both airplanes and cake frosting? Would you believe, titanium?

By Dave Roos Aug 6, 2019 Geology / Minerals