News & Commentary

Has Oil Spill Cleanup Improved at All?

May 27, 2015 ExplainerCalifornia, WestBrian Palmer

Why are we cleaning up the Santa Barbara oil spill with shovels and buckets?

Fearing the Burn

May 26, 2015 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

Western states prepare for an “explosive” wildfire season.

I Hate Reruns

May 22, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaClara Chaisson

The Santa Barbara coast has yet another oil spill, thanks to a company that screws up royally—repeatedly.

The Science of Sea Spray

May 21, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

The bubbles and droplets on the ocean surface (and what lives in them) may have a big influence on climate.

Yes, in Your Backyard

May 21, 2015 PerspectivesTexasBrian Palmer

Texas tells local governments not to mess with oil and gas.

Spill Tracker

May 20, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesThe Editors

An explosion in North American fossil fuel extraction has led to a dangerous rise in pipeline spills and oil train derailments.

Better Living Through Chemistry?

May 20, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesSusan Cosier

Chemical regulation needs a makeover, but Congress’ efforts at reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act are still a work in progress.

A Beach of an Oil Spill

May 20, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaClara Chaisson

Santa Barbara’s pristine coastline is now coated in crude.

Do We Exhale Carbon?

May 19, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Your bodily emissions have at most a negligible impact on climate change, and you may even be a modest carbon-sequestration device.

Getting Schooled in the Lunch Room

May 19, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesClara Chaisson

The cafeteria tray gets a sustainable (and homey) makeover.

Dirty Dancing in the Big Empty

May 19, 2015 PerspectivesWest, United StatesRocky Kistner

A new documentary spotlights the sad plight of the greater sage grouse: They’re running out of dance floor.

Down with TPP

May 18, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesAlisa Opar

From fracking to tainted fish, how the Trans-Pacific Partnership could affect the West.

Toxic Two-Step

May 15, 2015 DispatchTexasJeff Turrentine

When politicians and corporate polluters step onto the dance floor in Texas, the state’s environmental agency provides the music.

Accident at Indian Point

May 14, 2015 Latest NewsNew YorkBrian Palmer

Is it safe to operate a nuclear reactor 34 miles from 8.4 million people?

The Dirt on Dirt

May 13, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalBrian Palmer

The world’s soil helps us grow food and store carbon. So why are we letting it waste away?

When civil war broke out in Syria, scientists scrambled to save a seed bank

May 12, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesPerrin Ireland

A weekly roundup of the best in science journalism, doodled.

Pass the Tissues (and the Inhaler)

May 12, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

A new report explores the sneezier and wheezier side of global warming.

Yet Another Faux Pause

May 11, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Sea-level rise is accelerating, just like climate change science says it should.

One Million, Two Million, Three Million Years Ago…

May 8, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Global atmospheric CO2 is now above 400 ppm. It’s the first time since…when exactly?

When to Bet Against the House

May 7, 2015 DispatchNevadaJeff Turrentine

Will the threat of water shortages be enough to convince Vegas to stop gambling on overdevelopment?