News & Commentary

Zombie Crabs!

February 17, 2016 Latest NewsEastAlisa Opar

Tiny, invasive East Coast parasites are leaving hordes of the living dead in their wake.

Skinflints

February 17, 2016 Latest NewsFlintJeff Turrentine

The crisis in Flint reveals the dangerous downside of treating public safety as just another line item.

Go Easy on the Salt

February 11, 2016 ExplainerFlint, Michigan, United StatesBrian Palmer

But it’s still worth asking why Flint River water is so corrosive in the first place. What made the water so efficient at stripping lead from service pipes?

Something Rotten in the State of Denmark

February 11, 2016 Latest NewsInternationalBrian Palmer

Meet Bjorn Lomborg, the always-sunny political scientist that climate deniers love.

A Red Flag for Red Colobus

February 8, 2016 Latest NewsAfricaJason Bittel

Hunted by humans and chimps and besieged by civil war and deforestation, Africa’s red colobus monkeys have few reasons to celebrate.

Drinking In the Heavy Metal

February 8, 2016 DispatchFlint, MichiganSusan Cosier

Thanks to the Flint water crisis, the city’s kids could experience terrible, long-lasting consequences from lead exposure.

Apocalypse Soon

February 4, 2016 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

In the budding cli-fi genre, dystopian settings can be real-life motivators.

Spring Break

February 4, 2016 DispatchMontanaAlisa Opar

Bison go from seasonal outlaws to year-round residents in a large swath of Montana.

So You Want a Pet Squirrel Monkey . . .

February 3, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesJason Bittel

Squirrel monkeys must contend with habitat loss, decreasing genetic diversity, and the curse of being cute.

The Stealthy Energy Saver

January 28, 2016 NRDC in ActionUnited StatesSarah Schmidt

Noah Horowitz obsesses over the imperceptible ways your television, computer, light bulbs, and dryer are wasting electricity—so you don’t have to.

Of Monkeys, Men, and Protozoans

January 28, 2016 Latest NewsInternationalJason Bittel

A recent study finds a link between deforestation and risk of monkey-transmitted malaria.

Raising the High-Water Mark

January 27, 2016 DispatchMidwestClara Chaisson

In the Midwest, “rare” floods are becoming the norm. Here’s why it’s high time we improve our flood risk estimates.

Watered Down

January 26, 2016 Latest NewsFlintBrian Palmer

Flint made many mistakes, but its haphazard lead monitoring system was the worst of them.

As India Goes, So Goes Civilization

January 22, 2016 Latest NewsIndiaBrian Palmer

How India builds its energy grid could decide the fate of humanity. Maybe we should help the country out.

What’s In Your Pajamas?

January 21, 2016 PerspectivesUnited StatesRocky Kistner

A new film follows a father on his quest to uncover the industrial chemicals his daughters encounter via everyday products.

2015 Was the Hottest Year on…zzzz

January 20, 2016 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Heat records are no longer newsworthy. Uh-oh.

The Woman Who Loves Orcas

January 20, 2016 DispatchAlaska, WestTed Genoways

Scientist, poet, and cancer survivor Eva Saulitis says that orcas saved her life. If only she could return the favor.

Cooling India Without Making a Hot Mess

January 19, 2016 ExplainerIndia, InternationalVaishnavi Chanrashekhar

As the country's economy improves—and temperatures rise—tens of millions of people are installing air conditioners. That spells trouble for climate change.

The Battle for Jamaica Bay

January 19, 2016 NRDC in ActionNew York City, New YorkNicole Greenfield

Pollution was killing one of New York City’s greatest natural treasures—until NRDC stepped in.

The Public Transit Paradox

January 19, 2016 ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

Gas is crazy cheap. Car sales are through the roof. So why isn’t taxpayer support for mass transit tanking?