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

a baby sea turtle in the sand

13 serene nature images from the Florida State Parks photo contest 13 serene nature images from the Florida State Parks photo contest

By Popular Science Team

View looking up into lush green branches of large tree and tall Green Tree in Spring.

Could trees know when the summer solstice is? Could trees know when the summer solstice is?

By Andrew Hacket-Pain / The Conversation

small fish in a net being rescued

After a devastating wildfire, rescued fish make a triumphant return to Malibu After a devastating wildfire, rescued fish make a triumphant return to Malibu

By Margherita Bassi

Koala female with her baby at the Perth Zoo in Australia.

Secret koala population discovered near Australian city Secret koala population discovered near Australian city

By Margherita Bassi

A bird on a feeder eating seeds.

How to pick the right bird feeder and feed for your area How to pick the right bird feeder and feed for your area

By John Alexander

Best dog vitamins

The best dog vitamins to keep your pooch healthy The best dog vitamins to keep your pooch healthy

By Maddy Morris

a plastic bag and other garbage on a shoreline

Plastic bag bans work, new study shows Plastic bag bans work, new study shows

By Lauren Leffer

a woman douses herself with water from a plastic bottle on a hot, sunny day

What is a heat dome? What is a heat dome?

By Laura Baisas

A factory on the edge of a cliff

Certain AI prompts generate 50x more CO₂ than others Certain AI prompts generate 50x more CO₂ than others

By Mack DeGeurin

Air conditioner in house window on Summer day.

New paint ‘sweats’ to keep buildings cool New paint ‘sweats’ to keep buildings cool

a beige and brown moth on a stone

Migrating moths can read the stars Migrating moths can read the stars

By Lauren Leffer

illustration of a large lizard with a bulging head carrying a large egg

Bones of a raccoon-sized prehistoric lizard sat in a jar for 20 years Bones of a raccoon-sized prehistoric lizard sat in a jar for 20 years

By Laura Baisas

Huge wave breaking. Ocean spray is thrown into the air. World famous surf break named Jaws on the Northshore of Maui, Hawaii.

What’s the formula for the ‘perfect wave’? What’s the formula for the ‘perfect wave’?

By Avery Schluyer Nunn

a long black amphibian with feathered gills called an axolotl swims in a fish tank

Axolotl mucus peptides attack breast cancer cells and MRSA Axolotl mucus peptides attack breast cancer cells and MRSA

By Laura Baisas

A Guatemalan tiger rump tarantula (Davus pentaloris) in a terrarium with reflections.

Tarantulas adapt their running style after losing legs Tarantulas adapt their running style after losing legs

By Laura Baisas

Fuzzy beetle on red flower

Most bugs can’t see red—but these beetles can Most bugs can’t see red—but these beetles can

Large truck towing ANITA atmospheric survey system in Antarctica

Physicists can’t explain mysterious radio wave emissions in Antarctica Physicists can’t explain mysterious radio wave emissions in Antarctica

A great hammerhead shark swimming close to the surface in Bimini, Bahamas, Caribbean Sea.

Young hammerhead sharks love Biscayne Bay. Leave them alone, humans. Young hammerhead sharks love Biscayne Bay. Leave them alone, humans.

By Laura Baisas

Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park, South Carolina, showing old growth bottomland hardwood forest.

This National Park uses a ‘Skeeter Meter’ to inform visitors about mosquitoes This National Park uses a ‘Skeeter Meter’ to inform visitors about mosquitoes

By Laura Baisas

an anaconda coiled sitting on straw

Q&A: How anacondas, chickens, and locals may be able to coexist in the Amazon Q&A: How anacondas, chickens, and locals may be able to coexist in the Amazon