Sustainability(Page 3)

Our best advice for how to live in a climate-changing world.

Latest in Sustainability

Orsted offshore wind turbines in the UK

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

aurora supercomputer at Argonne

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘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.

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.

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

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

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

Fiver different types of paper cups sitting are sitting on a table. Some have eco-friendly labeling and one warns of plastic chemical leaching. Paper cups are replacing plastic cups on the market, but paper cups can also be toxic to living organisms, shows a new study from the University of Gothenburg.

Paper cups still use plastic—and it’s a problem for the planet Paper cups still use plastic—and it’s a problem for the planet

By Laura Baisas

Scientists are using AI to track coal train dust

Scientists are using AI to track coal train dust Scientists are using AI to track coal train dust

By Emma Foehringer Merchant / Undark

Scania solar powered semi-truck on road

Sweden is testing a semi-truck trailer covered in 100 square meters of solar panels Sweden is testing a semi-truck trailer covered in 100 square meters of solar panels

Lithium samples from the proposed Thacker Pass mining site in the McDermitt Caldera lithium deposit

What’s the most sustainable way to mine the largest known lithium deposit in the world? What’s the most sustainable way to mine the largest known lithium deposit in the world?

A DIY citronella candle in a small metal candle tin on a black surface outside.

How to Frankenstein old wax scraps into a totally new candle How to Frankenstein old wax scraps into a totally new candle

By Rachel Feltman

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean

Scientists brew stronger concrete with coffee grounds

Scientists brew stronger concrete with coffee grounds Scientists brew stronger concrete with coffee grounds

Shipping container used as passive cooling test chamber

Ancient Egyptian ‘air conditioning’ could help cool modern buildings Ancient Egyptian ‘air conditioning’ could help cool modern buildings

Pyxis Ocean retrofitted with WindWings setting sail for its maiden voyage, August 2023

A cargo ship with 123-foot ‘WindWing’ sails has just departed on its maiden voyage A cargo ship with 123-foot ‘WindWing’ sails has just departed on its maiden voyage

Seedlings in yellow pots at a plant nursery in Glacier National Park

We need billions more baby trees to regrow US forests We need billions more baby trees to regrow US forests

By Carla Delgado

Metal mesh with water droplets

Titanium dioxide-coated mesh can purify contaminated fog Titanium dioxide-coated mesh can purify contaminated fog

Elemental chromium

The same metal found on hot rods and Harleys could revolutionize solar panels The same metal found on hot rods and Harleys could revolutionize solar panels

Pipeline connection at an oil refinery

The US is investing more than $1 billion in carbon capture, but big oil is still involved The US is investing more than $1 billion in carbon capture, but big oil is still involved

3D printed fake calamari ring on tin foil

3D-printed vegan calamari rings could be next on the menu 3D-printed vegan calamari rings could be next on the menu

Japanese bullet train leaving station at dawn

Texas could get a 205-mph bullet train zipping between Houston and Dallas Texas could get a 205-mph bullet train zipping between Houston and Dallas

Green high density laser array

Colorado is getting a state-of-the-art laser fusion facility Colorado is getting a state-of-the-art laser fusion facility

Aerial view of solar panel farm

Solar power helps keep Europe’s grid reliable in historic heat Solar power helps keep Europe’s grid reliable in historic heat

Hannover train station

The world’s first hydrogen-powered train has made its final stop The world’s first hydrogen-powered train has made its final stop

Person using lime electric scooter.

Shared e-scooters can be sustainable—but there’s a catch Shared e-scooters can be sustainable—but there’s a catch

By Carla Delgado

Sprinklers on a golf course in Utah.

In water-strained Utah, can golf courses justify their giant footprint? In water-strained Utah, can golf courses justify their giant footprint?

By Samuel Shaw/High Country News

Did plastic straw bans work? Yes, but not in the way you’d think.

Did plastic straw bans work? Yes, but not in the way you’d think. Did plastic straw bans work? Yes, but not in the way you’d think.

By Harvin Bhathal/Grist

Universal Hydrogen propellor plane taking off from runway

Hydrogen-powered flight is closer to takeoff than ever Hydrogen-powered flight is closer to takeoff than ever

antique store furniture

Pro tips for buying high-quality used furniture—and keeping it looking new Pro tips for buying high-quality used furniture—and keeping it looking new

By Carla Delgado

Lit incandescent light bulb laying on its side

The US ends incandescent lightbulb sales—with brighter days ahead The US ends incandescent lightbulb sales—with brighter days ahead

BT Group's green broadband cabinet box

Outdated broadband equipment could find new life as EV chargers Outdated broadband equipment could find new life as EV chargers

Three alkaline hydrolysis machines for pet remains at the Bio-Response manufacturing facility

Inside the warehouse that builds machines to liquify dead bodies Inside the warehouse that builds machines to liquify dead bodies

By Helen Bradshaw

A streak of blue lightning, representing energy, spreads horizontally across a textured cement surface.

Two ancient materials may help solve a modern energy dilemma Two ancient materials may help solve a modern energy dilemma

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant facility sign on cloudy day in New Mexico

Cold War-era atomic weapons facilities in the US could become clean energy powerhouses Cold War-era atomic weapons facilities in the US could become clean energy powerhouses

A piece of toast with homemade vegan butter on it

How to make simple and delicious vegan butter How to make simple and delicious vegan butter

By Rachel Feltman

electric vehicle at charger

7 automakers team up to cover the US and Canada with fast EV chargers 7 automakers team up to cover the US and Canada with fast EV chargers

By Sara Kiley Watson

Wind turbine with red base in the Golan Heights between Syria and Israel

An Israeli wind project draws scrutiny on turbines and people’s health An Israeli wind project draws scrutiny on turbines and people’s health

Red7Marine kittiwake offshore wind farm habitat

Artificial nests could give endangered birds a home near new offshore wind farm Artificial nests could give endangered birds a home near new offshore wind farm

Streets of New York City.

How ‘underground climate change’ affects life on the Earth’s surface How ‘underground climate change’ affects life on the Earth’s surface

By Carla Delgado

Amazon package at fulfillment center.

Amazon might finally be cutting down on plastic waste Amazon might finally be cutting down on plastic waste

By Joseph Winters / Grist