Environment

The changes and wonders of the natural world—and how human interaction influences animals, the ocean, and the rest of the environment.

Latest in Environment

Environment

Park rangers recall their most dangerous encounters with nature Park rangers recall their most dangerous encounters with nature

By As told to Mark D. Kaufman

This dress changes color to show how polluted your air is

Climate Change

This dress changes color to show how polluted your air is This dress changes color to show how polluted your air is

Climate Change

Meet eight species living on the brink, thanks to weather and climate change Meet eight species living on the brink, thanks to weather and climate change

By Mary Beth Griggs

Environment

Think weather forecasts are bad? Try forecasting a volcanic eruption. Think weather forecasts are bad? Try forecasting a volcanic eruption.

By Mary Beth Griggs

Researchers say we have three years to act on climate change before it’s too late

Climate Change

Researchers say we have three years to act on climate change before it’s too late Researchers say we have three years to act on climate change before it’s too late

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

DNA may finally find a family for strange creatures that stumped Darwin

Animals

DNA may finally find a family for strange creatures that stumped Darwin DNA may finally find a family for strange creatures that stumped Darwin

By Rachel Feltman

8,200 years ago, California’s forecast was 150 years of rain

Environment

8,200 years ago, California’s forecast was 150 years of rain 8,200 years ago, California’s forecast was 150 years of rain

By Sara Kiley Watson

Pandas, which are basically giant poop machines, may inadvertently help save other species

Animals

Pandas, which are basically giant poop machines, may inadvertently help save other species Pandas, which are basically giant poop machines, may inadvertently help save other species

By Rachel Feltman

Scientific studies favor male mice—and that could hurt a lot of humans

Animals

Scientific studies favor male mice—and that could hurt a lot of humans Scientific studies favor male mice—and that could hurt a lot of humans

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

How scientists modeled a deadly tornado with an insanely powerful computer

Environment

How scientists modeled a deadly tornado with an insanely powerful computer How scientists modeled a deadly tornado with an insanely powerful computer

A third of marine megafauna died in a mass extinction that we didn’t even know about

Animals

A third of marine megafauna died in a mass extinction that we didn’t even know about A third of marine megafauna died in a mass extinction that we didn’t even know about

By Sara Chodosh

*Pseudomonas syringae*

Climate Change

Bacteria in the sky may help to make it rain Bacteria in the sky may help to make it rain

By Veronique Greenwood

Researches installed artificial coralline algae to test their ability to attract marine micro-fauna.

Climate Change

Artificial algae could help save our oceans Artificial algae could help save our oceans

By Marlene Cimons

Here’s what happens when lightning doesn’t hit the ground

Climate Change

Here’s what happens when lightning doesn’t hit the ground Here’s what happens when lightning doesn’t hit the ground

By Claire Maldarelli

Most people don’t see how climate change is affecting their lives—and that’s a problem

Climate Change

Most people don’t see how climate change is affecting their lives—and that’s a problem Most people don’t see how climate change is affecting their lives—and that’s a problem

By Hillary Rosner

A storm chaser talks about the most dangerous storms of her career

Environment

A storm chaser talks about the most dangerous storms of her career A storm chaser talks about the most dangerous storms of her career

By Jaclyn Whittal, On-Camera Meteorologist at The Weather Network. As told to Rachel Feltman

Mars Terraforming 2

Environment

So, you want to terraform Mars? Here’s one way to do it. So, you want to terraform Mars? Here’s one way to do it.

By Mary Beth Griggs

A border wall made of solar panels wouldn’t actually be good for the environment

Energy

A border wall made of solar panels wouldn’t actually be good for the environment A border wall made of solar panels wouldn’t actually be good for the environment

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

As drought looms, could this team of scientists prove cloud seeding works?

Environment

As drought looms, could this team of scientists prove cloud seeding works? As drought looms, could this team of scientists prove cloud seeding works?

By Sarah Scoles

Climate Change

Some clouds are full of little lollipop-shaped ice crystals Some clouds are full of little lollipop-shaped ice crystals

By Marlene Cimons

Birds’ ability to fly could determine the shape of their eggs

Animals

Birds’ ability to fly could determine the shape of their eggs Birds’ ability to fly could determine the shape of their eggs

By Aparna Nathan

anatomy of a hurricane

Environment

A hotter planet might make hurricanes more destructive A hotter planet might make hurricanes more destructive

Loma MT infographic

Environment

In a Montana town, a record-breaking 103-degree swing in 24 hours In a Montana town, a record-breaking 103-degree swing in 24 hours

By Sara Chodosh

Climate change will make your coffee cost more and taste worse

Climate Change

Climate change will make your coffee cost more and taste worse Climate change will make your coffee cost more and taste worse

By Sara Chodosh

Animals

This river ecosystem hinges on thousands of drowned, rotting wildebeest This river ecosystem hinges on thousands of drowned, rotting wildebeest

By Rachel Feltman

Mountain Lions are so scared of humans that the sound of talk radio sends them running

Animals

Mountain Lions are so scared of humans that the sound of talk radio sends them running Mountain Lions are so scared of humans that the sound of talk radio sends them running

By Mary Beth Griggs

Don’t believe our planet is warming up? Look at this.

Climate Change

Don’t believe our planet is warming up? Look at this. Don’t believe our planet is warming up? Look at this.

By Rachel Feltman

Animals

DNA from Egyptian mummies and Viking graves reveals how cats conquered the world DNA from Egyptian mummies and Viking graves reveals how cats conquered the world

The Australian Eastern Abyss is a treasure trove of strange, often penis-shaped animals

Animals

The Australian Eastern Abyss is a treasure trove of strange, often penis-shaped animals The Australian Eastern Abyss is a treasure trove of strange, often penis-shaped animals

By Sara Chodosh

Three-quarters of the planet could face deadly heatwaves by 2100

Climate Change

Three-quarters of the planet could face deadly heatwaves by 2100 Three-quarters of the planet could face deadly heatwaves by 2100

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Female elk are practically bulletproof by age 9

Animals

Female elk are practically bulletproof by age 9 Female elk are practically bulletproof by age 9

A Texas-size chunk of Antarctica partially melted last year

Climate Change

A Texas-size chunk of Antarctica partially melted last year A Texas-size chunk of Antarctica partially melted last year

Train ride in Alaska by Stan Horaczek

DIY

Seven tips for shooting nature photos with your smartphone camera Seven tips for shooting nature photos with your smartphone camera

By Stan Horaczek

Show us your best nature photography! We’ll go first.

Environment

Show us your best nature photography! We’ll go first. Show us your best nature photography! We’ll go first.

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Toxic mercury levels are actually declining in Alaskan polar bears—but that’s not as great as it sounds

Animals

Toxic mercury levels are actually declining in Alaskan polar bears—but that’s not as great as it sounds Toxic mercury levels are actually declining in Alaskan polar bears—but that’s not as great as it sounds

By Aparna Nathan

How a 93-year-old war vet (and his sneakers) are helping NASA track pollution

Climate Change

How a 93-year-old war vet (and his sneakers) are helping NASA track pollution How a 93-year-old war vet (and his sneakers) are helping NASA track pollution

By Marlene Cimons

seasonal earthquake stress

Environment

Rain and snow help stress out earthquake faults Rain and snow help stress out earthquake faults

By Mary Beth Griggs

Dams on the Amazon River could have widespread, devastating impacts—and we keep building more of them

Conservation

Dams on the Amazon River could have widespread, devastating impacts—and we keep building more of them Dams on the Amazon River could have widespread, devastating impacts—and we keep building more of them

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

How a female-only line of salamanders ‘steals’ genes from unsuspecting males

Animals

How a female-only line of salamanders ‘steals’ genes from unsuspecting males How a female-only line of salamanders ‘steals’ genes from unsuspecting males

By Rachel Feltman

Gray seals are making a huge comeback

Animals

Gray seals are making a huge comeback Gray seals are making a huge comeback

Where in the United States is nature most likely to kill you?

Environment

Where in the United States is nature most likely to kill you? Where in the United States is nature most likely to kill you?

By Kate Baggaley

Coral reefs show signs of climate stress, but there’s still hope

Climate Change

Coral reefs show signs of climate stress, but there’s still hope Coral reefs show signs of climate stress, but there’s still hope

By Marlene Cimons

Travelers are terrified by bed bugs—but can’t spot one in a lineup

Animals

Travelers are terrified by bed bugs—but can’t spot one in a lineup Travelers are terrified by bed bugs—but can’t spot one in a lineup

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Hawaii is a hotspot for alien species

Animals

Hawaii is a hotspot for alien species Hawaii is a hotspot for alien species

By Cassidy Mayeda

A bird’s song might be in her genes

Animals

A bird’s song might be in her genes A bird’s song might be in her genes

By Mary Beth Griggs

Meerkat anal pouch

Animals

Meerkats use bacteria from their butts to make stinky graffiti Meerkats use bacteria from their butts to make stinky graffiti

By Sara Chodosh

Dogs and wolves both get sad when you don’t treat them fairly

Animals

Dogs and wolves both get sad when you don’t treat them fairly Dogs and wolves both get sad when you don’t treat them fairly

By Sara Chodosh

Celebrate World Ocean’s Day with these gorgeous photos of the sea

Biology

Celebrate World Ocean’s Day with these gorgeous photos of the sea Celebrate World Ocean’s Day with these gorgeous photos of the sea

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

These all-natural microbeads could replace your horrible face scrubs

Environment

These all-natural microbeads could replace your horrible face scrubs These all-natural microbeads could replace your horrible face scrubs

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Slimy, fleshy lips dripping with snot help these fish eat stinging corals

Animals

Slimy, fleshy lips dripping with snot help these fish eat stinging corals Slimy, fleshy lips dripping with snot help these fish eat stinging corals

By Mary Beth Griggs

Why whales are back in New York City

Animals

Why whales are back in New York City Why whales are back in New York City

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

You can tell these adorable octopuses apart by their warts

Animals

You can tell these adorable octopuses apart by their warts You can tell these adorable octopuses apart by their warts

By Mary Beth Griggs

Animals

Bonding with a partner could have unexpected rewards—in your brain, that is Bonding with a partner could have unexpected rewards—in your brain, that is

By Aparna Nathan

Earth from the ISS

Environment

Awe-inspiring photos of the Earth from space in honor of World Environment Day Awe-inspiring photos of the Earth from space in honor of World Environment Day

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Climate Change

A common sunscreen could help make better solar panels A common sunscreen could help make better solar panels

By Marlene Cimons

How to avoid bringing bed bugs home from vacation

Animals

How to avoid bringing bed bugs home from vacation How to avoid bringing bed bugs home from vacation

By Nancy Troyano / Working Mother

How the Galapagos cormorant forgot how to fly

Animals

How the Galapagos cormorant forgot how to fly How the Galapagos cormorant forgot how to fly

By Mary Beth Griggs

The President’s decision to leave the Paris Agreement will likely hurt America even more than the environment

Climate Change

The President’s decision to leave the Paris Agreement will likely hurt America even more than the environment The President’s decision to leave the Paris Agreement will likely hurt America even more than the environment

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Shoreline of Lake Mono

Climate Change

Climate change will mean more rain for some—and none for others Climate change will mean more rain for some—and none for others

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Animals

Faceless fish aren’t the only absurd creatures emerging from Australia’s Eastern Abyss Faceless fish aren’t the only absurd creatures emerging from Australia’s Eastern Abyss

By Sara Chodosh

Early signs of mortality on bleached coral colony.

Climate Change

Hawaii’s most popular coral reefs are in big trouble Hawaii’s most popular coral reefs are in big trouble

By Kendra Pierre-Louis

Replacing beef with beans could save the planet, because people farts are better than cow farts

Agriculture

Replacing beef with beans could save the planet, because people farts are better than cow farts Replacing beef with beans could save the planet, because people farts are better than cow farts

By Marlene Cimons

Hyalinobatrachium yaku glassfrog from beneath

Animals

This tiny frog has transparent skin to show its organs off to the world This tiny frog has transparent skin to show its organs off to the world

By Sara Chodosh

Los Angeles has enjoyed the same amazing climate for 50,000 years

Environment

Los Angeles has enjoyed the same amazing climate for 50,000 years Los Angeles has enjoyed the same amazing climate for 50,000 years

By Mary Beth Griggs