Sustainability

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Latest in Sustainability

An aerial view of the rust-colored Kutuk River in Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska. Thawing permafrost is exposing minerals to weathering, increasing the acidity of the water, which releases metals like iron, zinc, and copper.

Environment

Why are Alaska’s rivers turning orange? Why are Alaska’s rivers turning orange?

By Laura Baisas

toilet seat on wooden bench with bucket of saw dust, toilet brush, and toilet paper

Environment

How does a composting toilet work? Ditch the flush. How does a composting toilet work? Ditch the flush.

By

Chicken looking at camera against black background

Environment

Chicken fat supercapacitors could store green energy of the future Chicken fat supercapacitors could store green energy of the future

Project 821 hydrogen fuel superyacht in port

Environment

Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht

Factory of the Future 1.0 3D printer with man standing in front of it

Technology

Makers of the world’s largest 3D printer just beat their own record Makers of the world’s largest 3D printer just beat their own record

Vitamix Food Cycler countertop composter with a picture of a hopper full of food on the left and a hopper full of processed mulch on the right.

Gear

Save $100 on the Vitamix countertop composter at Amazon for Earth Day Save $100 on the Vitamix countertop composter at Amazon for Earth Day

By Stan Horaczek

a close-up of an octopus eye

Environment

Why counting octopus ‘rings’ is crucial Why counting octopus ‘rings’ is crucial

By Laura Baisas

Researchers developed a 3D printer that can automatically identify the parameters of an unknown material on its own. The advance could help make 3D printing more sustainable, enabling printing with renewable or recyclable materials that are difficult to characterize.

Technology

3D printers just got a big, eco-friendly upgrade (in the lab) 3D printers just got a big, eco-friendly upgrade (in the lab)

a juvenile chimpanzee in a forested habitat

Environment

Mining of materials needed for ‘green revolution’ puts great ape population at risk Mining of materials needed for ‘green revolution’ puts great ape population at risk

By Laura Baisas

Shoe made from bacterial cellulose

Environment

Would you wear this ‘shoe-like vessel’ made from genetically engineered bacteria? Would you wear this ‘shoe-like vessel’ made from genetically engineered bacteria?

High traffic road with signs and light trails on sunset

Environment

EPA says over half of all new cars must be EVs or hybrids by 2032 EPA says over half of all new cars must be EVs or hybrids by 2032

a group of burmese pythons

Environment

Scientists propose eating more python Scientists propose eating more python

By Laura Baisas

Pyxis Ocean shipping vessel with two WindWing sails

Technology

A cargo ship’s ‘WindWing’ sails saved it up to 12 tons of fuel per day A cargo ship’s ‘WindWing’ sails saved it up to 12 tons of fuel per day

CorPower C4 buoy turbine in ocean

Technology

Huge 60-foot-tall buoy uses ocean waves to create clean energy Huge 60-foot-tall buoy uses ocean waves to create clean energy

Pigs in sty at factory farm

Environment

Gene-edited pigs immune to deadly virus could arrive on farms by next year Gene-edited pigs immune to deadly virus could arrive on farms by next year

Pink lab-grown beef rice in white bowl

Environment

Scientists swear their lab-grown ‘beef rice’ tastes ‘pleasant’ Scientists swear their lab-grown ‘beef rice’ tastes ‘pleasant’

MethaneSAT concept art above Earth

Technology

A new AI-powered satellite will create Google Maps for methane pollution A new AI-powered satellite will create Google Maps for methane pollution

Minesto Dragon 4 undersea kite turbine traveling atop water

Environment

Huge underwater ‘kite’ turbine powered 1,000 homes in the Faroe Islands Huge underwater ‘kite’ turbine powered 1,000 homes in the Faroe Islands

Interior of JET fusion reactor with plasma superimposed

Technology

Aging reactor sets new fusion energy record in last hurrah Aging reactor sets new fusion energy record in last hurrah

Abandoned car in aluminum red mud spill

Technology

Aluminum’s notorious, toxic red mud could one day help make ‘green steel’ Aluminum’s notorious, toxic red mud could one day help make ‘green steel’

A colorized view of the DOLCE structure finalizing its uncoiling process, as seen from the boom camera, over Antarctica, on August 22, 2023.

Technology

The first-ever space solar power tests are finished after a year in orbit The first-ever space solar power tests are finished after a year in orbit

Data visualization of all maritime activity in the North Sea

Technology

AI and satellite data helped uncover the ocean’s ‘dark vessels’ AI and satellite data helped uncover the ocean’s ‘dark vessels’

Illustration of biofiber within cracked concrete

Technology

Bacterial ‘blood’ could heal cracks in concrete Bacterial ‘blood’ could heal cracks in concrete

Completed JT-60SA experimental nuclear fusion facility in Japan

Technology

The world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor is up and running The world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor is up and running

Google and Fervo's geothermal power plant in Nevada at dusk

Technology

Geothermal energy now helps power Google’s desert data centers Geothermal energy now helps power Google’s desert data centers

How AI could help scientists spot ‘ultra-emission’ methane plumes faster—from space

Environment

How AI could help scientists spot ‘ultra-emission’ methane plumes faster—from space How AI could help scientists spot ‘ultra-emission’ methane plumes faster—from space

A selection of sustainable gifts, featuring a stack of Coyuchi towels, steel watering cans, and Jackery solar generators

Gear

Sustainable gift guide: 20+ gifts that keep on giving Sustainable gift guide: 20+ gifts that keep on giving

By Jen McCaffery, Quinn Gawronski, Stan Horaczek

Hot dogs at the grocery store without meat warning labels

Environment

Graphic warning labels might convince people to eat less meat Graphic warning labels might convince people to eat less meat

Offshore wind turbine being constructed with nearby supply ship

Technology

A Danish company just scrapped its ambitious plan for a New Jersey offshore wind farm A Danish company just scrapped its ambitious plan for a New Jersey offshore wind farm

Watch a heavy-lifting drone land a perfect delivery on an offshore wind turbine

Technology

Watch a heavy-lifting drone land a perfect delivery on an offshore wind turbine Watch a heavy-lifting drone land a perfect delivery on an offshore wind turbine

Cape Fear River in North Carolina, which is polluted by PFAS, seen from above after a storm

Environment

8 new types of ‘forever chemicals’ found in river linked to US cancer cluster 8 new types of ‘forever chemicals’ found in river linked to US cancer cluster

A steak with kelp on top is plated by a chef holding a sauce pan.

Environment

This sea-to-farm-to-table restaurant wants kelp to catch on This sea-to-farm-to-table restaurant wants kelp to catch on

By Laura Baisas

AlgaRay robot floating atop water in Antigua

Technology

This seafaring robot ‘eats’ stinky seaweed and dumps it in deep water This seafaring robot ‘eats’ stinky seaweed and dumps it in deep water

Chicken feather fibers could help make less toxic hydrogen fuel cells

Technology

Chicken feather fibers could help make less toxic hydrogen fuel cells Chicken feather fibers could help make less toxic hydrogen fuel cells

Orsted offshore wind turbines in the UK

Technology

Atlantic City’s massive offshore wind farm project highlights the industry’s growing pains Atlantic City’s massive offshore wind farm project highlights the industry’s growing pains

Coral Beach on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, dotted with various types of seaweed.

Environment

Europeans ate a lot more seaweed 8,000 years ago Europeans ate a lot more seaweed 8,000 years ago

By Laura Baisas

Stella Terra solar powered car action shot on road

Technology

This off-roading, solar-powered vehicle just sped across the Sahara This off-roading, solar-powered vehicle just sped across the Sahara

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm speaks before US President Joe Biden at Tioga Marine Terminal on October 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden discussed how his Bidenomics agenda is creating good-paying union jobs, investing in infrastructure, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, and combating the climate crisis.

Environment

US will build seven regional ‘hydrogen hubs’ to spark clean energy transition US will build seven regional ‘hydrogen hubs’ to spark clean energy transition

By Laura Baisas

Workers at rare earth mineral mine next to equipment in China

Technology

China says it discovered potentially vast amounts of a rare superconducting material China says it discovered potentially vast amounts of a rare superconducting material

Lots of chargers for devices tangled in a crowded corner

Technology

People send 20 billion pounds of ‘invisible’ e-waste to landfills each year People send 20 billion pounds of ‘invisible’ e-waste to landfills each year

Computer server stacks in dark room

Technology

AI could consume as much energy as Argentina annually by 2027 AI could consume as much energy as Argentina annually by 2027

monitor displaying a traffic intersection

Technology

A new Google AI project wants to improve the timing of traffic lights A new Google AI project wants to improve the timing of traffic lights

By Harry Guinness

Oyster-inspired sponges can scoop up nearly invisible nanoplastics in the ocean

Environment

Oyster-inspired sponges can scoop up nearly invisible nanoplastics in the ocean Oyster-inspired sponges can scoop up nearly invisible nanoplastics in the ocean

By Chris Baraniuk / Hakai Magazine

Green fir trees in neat rows as seen from the air.

Environment

Tree plantations try to offset our carbon pollution. Here’s the problem. Tree plantations try to offset our carbon pollution. Here’s the problem.

This climate crisis map shows how vulnerable your neighborhood is

Environment

This climate crisis map shows how vulnerable your neighborhood is This climate crisis map shows how vulnerable your neighborhood is

By Kate Yoder/Grist

Blue bins of fish and other seafood caught near the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan

Environment

This nuclear byproduct is fueling debate over Fukushima’s seafood This nuclear byproduct is fueling debate over Fukushima’s seafood

aurora supercomputer at Argonne

Technology

The world’s most powerful computer could soon help the US build better nuclear reactors The world’s most powerful computer could soon help the US build better nuclear reactors

By Charlotte Hu

Green architecture homes

Technology

The EPA wants to tighten up their ‘zero-emission’ building definition The EPA wants to tighten up their ‘zero-emission’ building definition

Grizzly bear mom and cubs crossing road in Yellowstone National Park

Environment

Grizzlies are getting killed by roads, but the risks are bigger than roadkill Grizzlies are getting killed by roads, but the risks are bigger than roadkill

Pile of colorful Lego bricks

Technology

Lego’s plan for eco-friendly bricks has fallen apart Lego’s plan for eco-friendly bricks has fallen apart

Pacific Ocean storm seen from a research vessel's stern

Environment

When climate change throws the Pacific off balance, the world’s weather follows When climate change throws the Pacific off balance, the world’s weather follows

Avery Dennison thermal energy factory in Belgium

Technology

This Belgian factory’s massive mirror array turns sunlight into thermal energy This Belgian factory’s massive mirror array turns sunlight into thermal energy

Plastic fishing gear brings in a better catch, but there’s a big tradeoff

Environment

Plastic fishing gear brings in a better catch, but there’s a big tradeoff Plastic fishing gear brings in a better catch, but there’s a big tradeoff

By Alastair Bland/Hakai Magazine

Revo Foods 3D-printed salmon

Technology

The world’s first 3D-printed salmon is hitting store shelves, and it looks kind of good The world’s first 3D-printed salmon is hitting store shelves, and it looks kind of good

Heat pump outside building

Environment

Heat pumps still get the job done in extreme cold Heat pumps still get the job done in extreme cold

Oysters can’t sleep—and your lights might be the cause

Environment

Oysters can’t sleep—and your lights might be the cause Oysters can’t sleep—and your lights might be the cause

By Hannah Seo/Hakai Magazine

drought in Yemen, august 2023

Environment

Almost every place on Earth was affected by extreme temperatures this summer Almost every place on Earth was affected by extreme temperatures this summer

By Sara Kiley Watson

H2FLY hydrogen fuel plane in flight

Technology

This liquid hydrogen-powered plane successfully completed its first test flights This liquid hydrogen-powered plane successfully completed its first test flights

Polar bear decline is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions

Environment

Polar bear decline is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions Polar bear decline is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions

By Bob Berwyn/Inside Climate News

3D printer making algae-based water decontaminate

Technology

‘Living material’ water filter uses bacteria to neutralize water pollutants ‘Living material’ water filter uses bacteria to neutralize water pollutants

Aerial shot of sugar cane cropland.

Environment

How sprinkling volcanic rocks on farmland could capture carbon dioxide How sprinkling volcanic rocks on farmland could capture carbon dioxide

By Carla Delgado

Colorful plastic cutlery on a white background. The United States uses more than 36 billion plastic utensils every year.

Environment

Millions of tons of waste could be eliminated by ‘nudging’ consumers to skip the plastic fork Millions of tons of waste could be eliminated by ‘nudging’ consumers to skip the plastic fork

By Laura Baisas

Closeup of solar panel installation

Technology

This alternative to lithium-based batteries could help store renewable energy This alternative to lithium-based batteries could help store renewable energy

Lagos Blue Line Rail train next to traffic jam

Technology

Traveling through the world’s most traffic-heavy city just got a lot quicker—and greener Traveling through the world’s most traffic-heavy city just got a lot quicker—and greener