Sustainability

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

Latest in Sustainability

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

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.

Environment

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

Environment

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

Technology

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

Environment

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.

DIY

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

Technology

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

Technology

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

Shipping container used as passive cooling test chamber

Technology

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

Technology

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

Environment

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

Technology

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

Elemental chromium

Technology

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

Environment

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

Technology

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

Technology

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

Technology

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

Technology

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

Technology

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.

Environment

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.

Environment

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.

Environment

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

Technology

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

antique store furniture

Environment

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

Technology

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

Technology

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

Environment

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.

Technology

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

Technology

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

DIY

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

By Rachel Feltman

electric vehicle at charger

Technology

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

Environment

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

Technology

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.

Environment

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.

Environment

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

By Joseph Winters / Grist

Wind turbines on green hills

Environment

US climate efforts look promising, but there’s more to do US climate efforts look promising, but there’s more to do

By Sara Kiley Watson

Arco del Tiempo (Arch of Time) mockup

Technology

This art installation will tell time and produce solar energy This art installation will tell time and produce solar energy

By Sara Kiley Watson

Environment

No guts left behind: Iceland’s quest to repurpose fish waste No guts left behind: Iceland’s quest to repurpose fish waste

By Lela Nargi/Hakai Magazine

the view from on a container ship

Technology

The first container ship fueled by food scraps is ready to set sail The first container ship fueled by food scraps is ready to set sail

By Charlotte Hu

person holding latest fairphone

Environment

The most sustainable phone on the market is the one in your pocket The most sustainable phone on the market is the one in your pocket

By Carla Delgado

Fervo Energy Project Red geothermal mining site in Nevada

Technology

An American start-up claims it just set a geothermal energy record An American start-up claims it just set a geothermal energy record

Person holds "SOS!! Pacific Ocean!" sign at Fukushima water release protest.

Technology

Japan’s plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant is actually pretty safe Japan’s plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant is actually pretty safe

Limousine and private jet on landing strip.

Technology

A cap on ‘luxury’ emissions could make a clean energy transition fairer A cap on ‘luxury’ emissions could make a clean energy transition fairer

Concept art of lunar solar power station in orbit

Technology

This giant solar power station could beam energy to lunar bases This giant solar power station could beam energy to lunar bases

Two people sitting in mycocrete dome structure

Technology

Fungi spores and knitting combine to make a durable and sustainable building material Fungi spores and knitting combine to make a durable and sustainable building material

Ocean waves crashing.

Environment

How climate change is pushing oxygen out of the world’s oceans How climate change is pushing oxygen out of the world’s oceans

By Carla Delgado

Red pieces of CRISPR-edited wood against the paler natural type.

Science

Genetically modified trees could mean more sustainable wood Genetically modified trees could mean more sustainable wood

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Carlsbad Desalination Plant in Carlsbad, CA

Environment

How energy from waves might simplify desalination How energy from waves might simplify desalination

By Becki Robins/Hakai Magazine

The giant Douglas firs in British Columbia forests are examples of so-called mother trees

Environment

Are ‘mother trees’ real? Are ‘mother trees’ real?

Jars of animal and plant specimen.

Science

Why preserving museum specimens is so vital for science Why preserving museum specimens is so vital for science

By Darren Incorvaia/Undark

AI’s climate consequences are often overlooked

Technology

AI’s climate consequences are often overlooked AI’s climate consequences are often overlooked

By Akielly Hu/Grist

Charles Chee Surya holding perovskite/silicon solar cell.

Environment

Solar panels are getting more efficient, thanks to perovskite Solar panels are getting more efficient, thanks to perovskite

By Sara Kiley Watson

Eco-runner 13 model

Technology

This tiny hydrogen-fueled car just broke a world record for going the distance This tiny hydrogen-fueled car just broke a world record for going the distance

By Sara Kiley Watson

wall of taxidermy animals and skeletons

Environment

Humans are dangerous predators because we love collecting weird animals Humans are dangerous predators because we love collecting weird animals

By Emily Harwitz / Hakai Magazine

Fast fashion might be making us sick

Environment

Fast fashion might be making us sick Fast fashion might be making us sick

By Danielle Renwick / Nexus Media News

Fourth of July partygoers playing in red, white, and blue confetti, which could be a fireworks alternative

Environment

Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or confetti cannons Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or confetti cannons

By Carla Delgado

Young climate defenders bring hope in an unprecedented US lawsuit

Environment

Young climate defenders bring hope in an unprecedented US lawsuit Young climate defenders bring hope in an unprecedented US lawsuit

By Richard Forbes/High Country News

How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining?

Environment

How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining? How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining?

By Carla Delgado

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

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