Finland to phase out coal completely within the next decade
Finland pledged to eliminate its reliance on coal by 2030, but now the Nordic country has changed its mind. Instead, the Finnish government has pushed through a motion to complete the coal ban a year earlier. Now we know what you’re thinking: just one year? What’s the big deal? While it may not Read More...
The inventor of Roomba designed a subaquatic robot to hunt invasive lionfish
While the lionfish may look spectacular, this venomous fish is a disaster for marine ecosystems. In the Bahamas alone, the invasive lionfish will eat 72 different species, far more than any other local predator; a single lionfish in a coral reef can reduce native reef fish by 79 percent. Reducing Read More...
You have to see Lake Berryessa’s ‘glory hole’ in action
When the water of Lake Berryessa, the largest lake in California’s Napa County, is low, a strange concrete tower rises up above the lake’s surface. It’s just about the only abnormal thing you’ll see there on any given day. But when the water is high, it turns into an enormous, mesmerizing Read More...
NASA has scheduled the first-ever all-women spacewalk
On July 25, 1984, cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya became the first woman to walk in space. Now, almost 35 years later, history will once again be made as the first all-female spacewalk is scheduled to take place March 29. A total of 213 spacewalks have taken place since 1998, all of which have been Read More...
This robotic system can feed people who can’t feed themselves
A million people around the US cannot feed themselves. Whether they’re living with a disability or age-related challenges, they require a caregiver to spoon food into their mouths for meals or snacks. For this reason, researchers at the University of Washington have been developing a robotic arm Read More...
New Mexico becomes latest state to officially commit to 100 percent renewables
The Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, has just passed a bill that requires its public utilities to embrace 100 percent clean energy by 2045, making it the third state to officially commit to carbon-free electricity. Following in the footsteps of California and Hawaii, New Mexico will oust coal and Read More...
German scientists have invented a cooling system that doesn’t harm the planet
You may not realize it, but your air conditioning is warming up the planet. That’s because air conditioning systems contain highly toxic fluorocarbons that have proven to be powerful greenhouse gases with remarkable heat-trapping capabilities. The good news is better cooling systems are on their Read More...
New Zealand’s second largest national park just got a whole lot bigger
Not too long ago, an area of unspoiled land near Kahurangi National Park in New Zealand was at the center of a major environmental row as developers sought to take over the land. Now that land has received special protection and will become the largest addition to a national park in New Zealand’s Read More...
Study: produce at dollar stores are just as good as those from expensive chains
If you’re looking to buy quality fruits and vegetables, you don’t need to go to the most expensive supermarkets. In a new study, researchers looked at the quality of produce and other healthy food options at discount stores and compared it to that of more expensive supermarkets. What they found Read More...
Why don't we replace the border wall with an energy-water corridor?
Here’s an idea: Instead of an endless, inert wall along the U.S.–Mexico border, line the boundary with 2,000 miles of natural gas, solar and wind power plants. Use some of the energy to desalinate water from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean and ship it through pipelines to thirsty Read More...