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?

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Why Is the Ocean Different Colors in Different Places?

Ocean water is not actually blue, but appears in different shades for many reasons.

By Amanda Onion Mar 29, 2018 Earth Science / Oceanography

13,000-year-old Footprints Found in British Columbia

Archaeologists discovered three sets of human footprints on a remote island off the coast of British Columbia. They've now determined these footprints are the oldest in all of North America.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Mar 28, 2018 Geology / Paleontology

Reaching the Zen of Zero Waste

Getting your home to zero waste doesn't have to mean re-structuring your entire life. Sure, you'll have to make changes, but most of them are surprisingly easy.

By John Donovan Mar 27, 2018 Environmental Science / Green Science

Which Ocean Is the World’s Smallest?

Water covers about 71 percent of Earth's surface, but do you know the difference between an ocean and a sea? And which ocean is the smallest?

By Amanda Onion Mar 22, 2018 Earth Science / Oceanography

What Is the World’s Shortest River?

Ever wondered what's the difference between a river, a stream, a brook and a tributary?

By Amanda Onion Mar 21, 2018 Earth Science / Oceanography

Poo-pyrus: Eco-friendly Paper Made from Poop

You read that right. Paper made from animal manure could be coming to an office near you. OK, not really, but poop to paper is a thing.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Mar 21, 2018 Environmental Science / Green Science

What Do Winemakers Do With Grape Waste?

Wine pomace — the portion of grapes left over from winemaking — has a variety of uses, from fertilizer to a nutrition-enhancing ingredient in foods.

By Patrick J. Kiger Mar 19, 2018 Green Technology / Sustainable Technologies

How Does Petrified Wood Form?

Petrified wood can be found all over the world, but how is it created?

By Mark Mancini Mar 5, 2018 Geology / Geologic Processes

5 Reasons Why the Great Lakes Are So Great

The Great Lakes are named so for several reasons, including shipwreck preservation, fresh water and even birdwatching.

By Mark Mancini Mar 1, 2018 Earth Science / Geophysics

Fog Provides Water in the World's Driest Zones

Fog harvesting has been going on in some form since ancient times, but scientists have been refining the method so people living in some of the most arid climates can have water.

By Mark Mancini Feb 27, 2018 Sustainable Technologies / Sustainable Technologies in the Community

Mother Nature Says Stop Releasing Balloons

Helium balloons are dangerous to the environment and wildlife — so why isn't releasing them illegal?

By Jesslyn Shields Feb 21, 2018 Conservation / Conservation Issues

Queen Elizabeth II Bans Plastic From Royal Estates

Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth II is making changes to the Royals solid-wasted plan, and that includes banning many plastics.

By John Perritano Feb 14, 2018 Environmental Science / Green Science

China Says We Don't Want Your Plastic

Will China's ban on plastic imports prompt Westerners to change our wasteful ways?

By John Perritano Feb 8, 2018 Environmental Science / Green Science

Geoengineering: 5 Ways Science Wants To Alter the Climate

There's no easy fix for climate change so scientists are playing with altering the Earth's natural systems in hopes of slowing it down. What could possibly go wrong?

By Cherise Threewitt Green Technology / Remediation Technologies

Are Mist and Fog the Same?

Fog and mist are similar scientifically. But what makes them different?

By Mark Mancini Feb 7, 2018 Earth Science / Geophysics

Geoengineering the Earth’s Atmosphere to Fight Climate Change Could Backfire

Human attempts to alter the Earth's natural systems could either successfully avert climate change or fail and cause even greater harm.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jan 30, 2018 Green Technology / Remediation Technologies

Cape Town May Be First Major City To Run Out of Water

Cape Town, South Africa, population 3.7 million, could become the first city on the planet to run out of water. But it may not be the last.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jan 29, 2018 Conservation / Conservation Issues

99 Percent of Great Barrier Reef Green Sea Turtles Are Hatching Female

A new study showed an alarming imbalance in the male-to-female ratio in green sea turtles hatching at the Great Barrier Reef. Scientists believe climate change is to blame.

By Nathan Chandler Jan 29, 2018 Earth Science / Oceanography

Earth and Mars Experience Mysterious Mega-avalanches

Scientist have figured out why two historic avalanches happened on the same unlikely slopes within weeks of one another.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Jan 26, 2018 Geology / Geologic Processes

Why Do Scientists Think We're Nearing the End of the World?

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock ahead 30 seconds to two minutes before midnight. What bumped up the time again this year?

By Julia Layton Earth Science / Geophysics

Are Automatic Toilets Still Wasting Water?

Automatic toilets have come a long way toward being water savers.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jan 22, 2018 Environmental Science / Green Science

Germany's Power Prices Go Negative, But Who's Getting Paid?

Germany's multi-billion-dollar investment in green energy seems to be paying off, but there's still more work to be done.

By Mark Mancini Jan 18, 2018 Environmental Science / Energy Production

How Eco-Friendly is YOUR Favorite Superhero?

Your favorite comic book superhero might be saving the world, but at what carbon cost?

By Jesslyn Shields Dec 20, 2017 Environmental Science / Green Science

Tibetan Glacial Ice Core May Hold Clues About Climate Change

Scientists from The Ohio State University have drilled longest ice core from outside the poles.

By Mark Mancini Dec 18, 2017 Earth Science / Geophysics

5 Things You Didn't Know About the Winter Solstice

For centuries, ancient cultures celebrated the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, as the "day the sun came back." Here are 5 enlightening facts about the winter solstice.

By Kathryn Whitbourne Dec 15, 2017 Earth Science / Geophysics