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

Robotic gripper holding pillbug that is gripping piece of cotton

Technology

This weird robot uses living bugs as gripping tools This weird robot uses living bugs as gripping tools

A mosquito sitting on a bright green leaf.

Health

Rare homegrown malaria cases in the US force health advisory, but don’t panic yet Rare homegrown malaria cases in the US force health advisory, but don’t panic yet

By Laura Baisas

A spider monkey stands on a tree branch with a baby monkey on her back.

Science

The ancestor of all placental mammals survived the dino-killing asteroid The ancestor of all placental mammals survived the dino-killing asteroid

By Laura Baisas

The best dog food composited

Gear

The best dog food The best dog food

By Stan Horaczek

A saltwater crocodile peering up over green-ish water.

Environment

Why scientists gave vaccines to farmed crocodiles Why scientists gave vaccines to farmed crocodiles

By Laura Baisas

An orangutan sits in the forest and looks forward with its hands under its chin.

Environment

Orangutans can make two sounds at the same time Orangutans can make two sounds at the same time

By Laura Baisas

An artist's illustration of a megalogon, which went extinct 3.6 million years ago and are believed to have grown to lengths of 50 feet.

Science

Megalodons were likely warm-blooded, despite being stone-cold killers Megalodons were likely warm-blooded, despite being stone-cold killers

By Laura Baisas

A close-up of a katydid, an insect with six long and lean legs.

Environment

A 50-million-year-old insect testicle is one lucky find A 50-million-year-old insect testicle is one lucky find

By Laura Baisas

Animals and AI help scientists study pandemics

Environment

Animals and AI help scientists study pandemics Animals and AI help scientists study pandemics

By Bethany Brookshire/Undark

Coastal flooding predictions triple

Environment

Coastal flooding predictions triple Coastal flooding predictions triple

By J. Besl/Hakai Magazine

Supreme Court rules the US is not required to ensure access to water for the Navajo Nation

Environment

Supreme Court rules the US is not required to ensure access to water for the Navajo Nation Supreme Court rules the US is not required to ensure access to water for the Navajo Nation

By Robert Glennon/The Conversation

This pangolin-inspired robot can curl up into a healing ball

Technology

This pangolin-inspired robot can curl up into a healing ball This pangolin-inspired robot can curl up into a healing ball

An artist’s reconstruction of Olympicetus thalassodon pursuing a school of fishes alongside plotopterid birds (background) somewhere in the eastern North Pacific Ocean.

Environment

This dolphin ancestor looked like a cross between Flipper and Moby Dick This dolphin ancestor looked like a cross between Flipper and Moby Dick

By Laura Baisas

OceanGate Titan submersible side view in water

Technology

OceanGate confirms missing Titan submersible passengers ‘have sadly been lost’ OceanGate confirms missing Titan submersible passengers ‘have sadly been lost’

A cockscomb pearl mussel.

Science

The secret to better folding phones might hinge on mussels The secret to better folding phones might hinge on mussels

Close up of GOOD Meat lab-grown chicken on table

Technology

Lab-grown chicken is now USDA approved—if you can afford it Lab-grown chicken is now USDA approved—if you can afford it

A school of grunts and horse-eye jack fish swim above a reef in Hol Chan Marine Reserve near Ambergris Cay, Belize.

Environment

Fish are thriving near marine protected areas—and so are coastal communities Fish are thriving near marine protected areas—and so are coastal communities

By Laura Baisas

Two small huts near clear, turquoise tropical waters in Tobacco Caye, Belize. he Central American country is the third nation this year to be certified malaria-free.

Health

After a 70-year battle, the WHO declares Belize malaria-free After a 70-year battle, the WHO declares Belize malaria-free

By Laura Baisas

Extreme heat to blanket Texas with ‘no end in sight’

Environment

Extreme heat to blanket Texas with ‘no end in sight’ Extreme heat to blanket Texas with ‘no end in sight’

By Sara Kiley Watson

A Northern Hawk Owl looks directly into the camera as it perches at the tip of a frost-covered tree. Dark pine cones on the bare branches stand out against a white background, mirroring the pattern of the owl’s dark breast feathers.

Environment

Owls, puffins, and even city pigeons glam it up in winning bird photos Owls, puffins, and even city pigeons glam it up in winning bird photos

By Maddi Langweil

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has an MPGe of 140.

Technology

What an electric vehicle’s MPGe rating really means What an electric vehicle’s MPGe rating really means

Monarch butterfly during migration perched on leaf with wings spread out

Environment

Monarch butterflies’ signature color patterns could inspire better drone design Monarch butterflies’ signature color patterns could inspire better drone design

Bumblebee pollinator over red and orange flowers

Environment

Microscopic worms use electricity to ride bumblebees like EVs Microscopic worms use electricity to ride bumblebees like EVs

By Laura Baisas

A white Andalusian horse galloping in a field.

Science

Horses once had multiple hoofed toes Horses once had multiple hoofed toes

By Laura Baisas

Why scientists want to banish barnacles from ship hulls

Technology

Why scientists want to banish barnacles from ship hulls Why scientists want to banish barnacles from ship hulls

By Chris Baraniuk / Hakai Magazine

A summer sunrise over a grassy meadow.

Environment

‘Unprecedented’ ocean temperatures and extreme heat waves pop up around the globe ‘Unprecedented’ ocean temperatures and extreme heat waves pop up around the globe

By Laura Baisas

Line of rocks letting water leak through to represent a different approach to water management during drought

Environment

‘Slow water’ could transform the Southwest, one little rock wall at a time ‘Slow water’ could transform the Southwest, one little rock wall at a time

Deer and other animals in wildfire smoke during California Dixie fire in 2021

Environment

Clouds of wildfire smoke are toxic to humans and animals alike Clouds of wildfire smoke are toxic to humans and animals alike

By Carla Delgado

MIT hydrogel cell closeup

Technology

How diaper tech enhanced with salt can draw water from thin air How diaper tech enhanced with salt can draw water from thin air

Tesla coil experiment to demonstrate how electricity works.

Technology

How does electricity work? Let’s demystify the life-changing physics. How does electricity work? Let’s demystify the life-changing physics.

The hidden costs of Amazon returns

Technology

The hidden costs of Amazon returns The hidden costs of Amazon returns

By Simone Peinkofer/The Conversation

A mint-colored insulated LARQ smart water bottle on a small wooden table in front of a brick background

Gear

LARQ PureVis bottle review: Clean you can taste LARQ PureVis bottle review: Clean you can taste

Where will electric semi-trucks recharge? California has a big solution.

Technology

Where will electric semi-trucks recharge? California has a big solution. Where will electric semi-trucks recharge? California has a big solution.

The sustainable secret to raising tastier crabs

Environment

The sustainable secret to raising tastier crabs The sustainable secret to raising tastier crabs

By Sofia Quaglia/Hakai Magazine

A glow-worm on a leaf.

Environment

Bright white lights are a buzzkill for glow-worm romance Bright white lights are a buzzkill for glow-worm romance

By Laura Baisas

Australian giant skink

Science

This chunky ancient lizard was 1,000 times bigger than its modern relatives This chunky ancient lizard was 1,000 times bigger than its modern relatives

By Sara Kiley Watson

Orca whale pod off Iberian coast from the subpopulation of orcas attacking sailboats in Europe

Environment

Orcas are attacking boats. But is it revenge or trauma? Orcas are attacking boats. But is it revenge or trauma?

SleepyPod dog harness

Gear

The best dog harnesses in 2024 The best dog harnesses in 2024

By Stan Horaczek

Two ants facing one another. Ants release a pheromone that helps other ants sense danger.

Environment

Ants brains are surprisingly good at communicating danger to others Ants brains are surprisingly good at communicating danger to others

By Laura Baisas

Young longleaf pines growing healthily in a burnt landscape

Environment

Longleaf pine forests in Alabama are making a comeback—thanks to fire Longleaf pine forests in Alabama are making a comeback—thanks to fire

By Jamie Dickman

single fruit fly

Environment

Flies age faster once they’ve seen death Flies age faster once they’ve seen death

By Sara Kiley Watson

Community-owned solar will soon power this small mountain town in Puerto Rico

Environment

Community-owned solar will soon power this small mountain town in Puerto Rico Community-owned solar will soon power this small mountain town in Puerto Rico

By Katherine Rapin/Nexus Media

Some people walking with boots on the snow with a dog under them wearing dog snow boots.

Environment

The best dog shoes of 2024 The best dog shoes of 2024

By Alexandra Berenbaum

The planet has 8 measures of stability—and we’re pushing past most of them

Environment

The planet has 8 measures of stability—and we’re pushing past most of them The planet has 8 measures of stability—and we’re pushing past most of them

By Carla Delgado

Noisy boats can cause temporary deafness in squid

Environment

Noisy boats can cause temporary deafness in squid Noisy boats can cause temporary deafness in squid

By Emily Harwitz / Hakai Magazine

Two bear cubs in a meadow.

DIY

How to keep your food safe from hungry bears when camping How to keep your food safe from hungry bears when camping

By Alisha McDarris

The best dog beds for large dogs composited

Gear

The best dog beds for large dogs in 2024 The best dog beds for large dogs in 2024

By Stan Horaczek

emperor penguin and chicks

Environment

Many bird species are struggling—but data can help us save them from extinction Many bird species are struggling—but data can help us save them from extinction

By Emily Sohn/Knowable Magazine

Fire ants moving across ground

Technology

Robot dog sniffs out fire ants without the painful sting Robot dog sniffs out fire ants without the painful sting

People wearing masks for wildfire smoke and bad air quality in front of White House

Health

How to mask up to protect yourself from wildfire smoke How to mask up to protect yourself from wildfire smoke

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A close-up view of the front fender badge and charge door on a Cadillac LYRIQ parked at a Tesla Supercharger station.

Technology

GM’s new partnership with Tesla could supercharge the EV landscape GM’s new partnership with Tesla could supercharge the EV landscape

Paramecium bursaria under a microscope. All creatures whose cells house a nucleus, including Paramecium bursaria, can be traced back to a common ancestor called the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA).

Science

Newfound single-celled hunters may have been Earth’s first-ever predators Newfound single-celled hunters may have been Earth’s first-ever predators

By Laura Baisas

air purifiers composited

Gear

These air purifiers are actually on sale right now at Amazon and Best Buy These air purifiers are actually on sale right now at Amazon and Best Buy

By Stan Horaczek

An illustration of the rhynchosaur Bentonyx from the Middle Triassic of Devon, about 245 million years ago.

Science

This ancient reptile had a deadly vegetarian diet This ancient reptile had a deadly vegetarian diet

By Laura Baisas

Kraken tests algorithm-based EV charging that won’t sink the grid

Environment

Kraken tests algorithm-based EV charging that won’t sink the grid Kraken tests algorithm-based EV charging that won’t sink the grid

By Cadence Bambenek / Hothouse

Best robot vacuums for pets sliced header

Gear

The best robot vacuums for pets in 2024 The best robot vacuums for pets in 2024

By Terri Williams

Rear side of sweating robot

Technology

This very sweaty robot measures how heat affects humans This very sweaty robot measures how heat affects humans

Mice lived longer lives when given the supplement taurine.

Health

Animals given taurine supplements in ‘groundbreaking’ study had longer lifespans Animals given taurine supplements in ‘groundbreaking’ study had longer lifespans

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

The California two-spot octopus (Bimaculoides) is the first octopus species to have its genome sequenced and is very helpful for studying cephalopods.

Environment

Octopuses rewrite their own RNA to survive freezing temperatures Octopuses rewrite their own RNA to survive freezing temperatures

By Laura Baisas

Person underwater looking up at outer space to represent Blue Abyss training tank. Illustrated.

Technology

Inside Blue Abyss’ plan to build super-deep pools for astronauts and military bots Inside Blue Abyss’ plan to build super-deep pools for astronauts and military bots

By Sarah Scoles

Citizen scientists have taken photos of this boulder every year for three decades

Environment

Citizen scientists have taken photos of this boulder every year for three decades Citizen scientists have taken photos of this boulder every year for three decades

By J. Besl/Hakai Magazine

Mountains and a pine forest covered in wildfire smoke.

DIY

What to do when wildfire smoke fills the air What to do when wildfire smoke fills the air

By Natalie Wallington

Look inside London’s new Super Sewer, an engineering marvel for rubbish and poo

Technology

Look inside London’s new Super Sewer, an engineering marvel for rubbish and poo Look inside London’s new Super Sewer, an engineering marvel for rubbish and poo

Sea Zero Cruise ship Concept, sails fully extended

Technology

This concept cruise ship will have solar-paneled sails, an AI copilot, and zero emissions This concept cruise ship will have solar-paneled sails, an AI copilot, and zero emissions