There's no "Planet B."
The lucky breaks that make our Earth home
An astrophysicist explores all that it took for life to exist on Earth, from the formation of stars to self-organizing molecules.
Into The Woods, From Chestnut Genetics To Tiny Forests
Genetic research could speed the restoration of the American chestnut tree. Plus, “rewilding” small spaces with fast-growing miniforests.
Mushroom Foragers Find Connection And Belonging Outdoors
Mushroom hunting is increasingly popular. A new wave of foraging groups by and for people of color could also help close the “nature gap.”
The heaviness and (not) hope of climate change
Elizabeth Kolbert has been writing about the environment for decades. And right now, she isn’t feeling optimistic.
How Rocks Help Us Discover Lost Stories Of Earth
To author Anjana Khatwa, rocks are “storykeepers of time.” She blends science and spirituality to explore the origin story of our world.
17:25
Where Does Plastic And Other Trash Go After We Throw It Away?
A journalist traveled to five continents to learn about the afterlife of our trash, and why most “recyclable” plastic actually isn’t.
17:15
20 Years Later, How Are City Climate Plans Actually Going?
When the federal government wavered in its commitment to climate action, cities stepped up. But goals, and success, are hard to define.
The Story Behind The Largest Dam Removal In U.S. History
A new book goes behind the scenes of the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, and the massive restoration effort that’s followed.
Love Letters To The Earth
We asked you what you love and appreciate about our home. Here are photos, reflections, poems, and songs you sent back.
Artists And Chefs Are Putting Ecological Crises On The Menu
Projects like “last suppers” with climate-threatened ingredients and picnics with AI-assisted recipes contemplate our food futures.
17:14
Can Earth’s Past Climate Help Us Understand Today’s Crisis?
Renowned climate scientist Michael Mann talks about how important it is to take action now—before we see climate change’s worst consequences.
6 Creative Ways People Are Preserving Nature—And You Can Too
Read a roundup of stories about creative ways people are preserving and protecting nature from our “Tiny Nature Triumphs” newsletter.
17:08
How Empire and Environmental Destruction Go Hand-In-Hand
“The Burning Earth” examines over 800 years of history to demonstrate how violence against people and the planet are one and the same.
12:12
Progress Toward A Clean Energy Transition
Global temperature increases are slowing, electric vehicle sales are growing, and renewable energy is now cheaper than some fossil fuels.
17:14
Can The Latest IPCC Report Pave The Way To Better Climate Policy?
We examine how effective the IPCC Report can be at generating climate policy. Plus, a look at promising climate solutions in development.
An Indigenous Scientist On Purging Colonialist Practices From Science
Western science is built upon harmful research practices in Indigenous communities. Jessica Hernandez writes about how this can change.
7:30
Life Has Found A Way On The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Researchers have found marine life colonizing the giant, swirling patch of trash in the Pacific Ocean.
12:21
Building The World’s Largest Animal Crossing Outside of LA
An engineering feat will soon reconnect habitats cut off from each other by Highway 101 for 75 years.
12:08
Celebrating Earth Day With Sustainable Action
While climate change is a global challenge, there are still many things you can personally do to make a small difference.
Earth Day And The Evolution Of The Environmental Movement
From the first Earth Day in 1970 to today’s youth climate strikes, researchers and activists look back at the decades-long fight for a healthy planet.
9:25
Enzymes Are Taking On Our Plastic Problem
Breaking PET down to its building blocks with enzymes could give it a better chance for a second (or third) life.
10 Questions With The Father Of Environmental Justice
Since 1979, Robert Bullard has studied the disproportionate impacts of pollution on communities of color. He reflects on the past and future of the environmental justice movement.
12:51
Setting New Goals At An Earth Week Climate Summit
The European Union is targeting climate neutrality by 2050, and the Biden administration has announced a national goal of a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
17:43
Denis Hayes On Being Green
One of the founders of Earth Day talks about sustainability and his push for renewable energy.
12:14
World Leaders Gather Virtually For Climate Summit
Forty world leaders attended to discuss how each country would commit to decreasing emissions.
16:35
It’s Still A Wild, Wonder-Filled World
A new book of nature writing revels in creatures both strange and glorious—and explores why even a threatened world contains wonder.
11:19
Earth Day Goes Digital
Even celebrating from home, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day can be a call to action.
17:05
Youth-Led Climate Change Protests Heat Up
On Friday, students across the world join together in the Youth Climate Strike to protest government inaction against climate change.
17:29
The Plight Of The North Atlantic Right Whale
Human activity is responsible for the sharp decline in North Atlantic right whales. A new documentary sheds light on why.
Environmental Justice: Evaluating Zip Codes And Pollution Burdens
Who bears the pollution burden? Use data to determine the pollution burden for a community and the systems that contribute to environmental injustice.
17:12
Indigenous Knowledge Is Central To Climate Solutions
Indigenous scientist and author Jessica Hernandez on what it might mean to heal—rather than conserve—endangered landscapes.
17:24
Conserving More Than Just the Planet’s ‘Beloved Beasts’
A new book looks at the history of some of the conservation movement’s key figures.
A Mile In The Shoes Of A Volcanologist
Meet Kayla Iacovino, a NASA petrologist (and Star Trek superfan) who looks for tiny clues atop volcanoes to understand eruptions on Earth and beyond.
16:51
What Our Climate Can Look Like Under Biden
Joe Biden has a sprawling plan to combat climate change. But if Republicans control the Senate, how much will he be able to accomplish?
33:28
Environmental Protection Apocalypse: What’s Happening to the EPA?
The Trump administration is paving the way for polluters.
How To Talk To A Climate Change Denier
Use these tips to have more productive conversations about climate change.
17:14
A New President, An Ongoing Climate Crisis
Author and climate scientist Michael Mann lays out what President Biden can do in his first 100 days to show he’s serious about climate policy.
8:16
For Science Supporters, an Earth Day March on Washington
“March for Science” organizers want to boost appreciation for research they see as under threat.
SciFri Extra: Bringing Environmental Justice To The Classroom
In an interview recorded live in San Francisco, Ira talks with a teacher and her students about the connections between science education and environmental activism.
Witnessing Environmental Change From Space
From deforestation to algal blooms, NASA earth scientist Africa Flores-Anderson monitors the planet through satellite images and data.
34:19
How Native American Communities Are Addressing Climate Change
Indigenous tribes are centering climate change management strategies around traditional practices.
5:59
Composing A Sound Map Of An Ever-Changing River
Composer Annea Lockwood has been using stereo microphones and underwater hydrophones to create detailed “river maps” since the 1960s.
These Pollution Disasters Pushed Environmental Policy Forward
From oil spills to burning rivers, view snapshots of some of the most catastrophic pollution events in U.S. history that inspired environmental protection efforts.
A 20-Year Dive Into Climate Change History
Have scientists always agreed on the impacts of climate change? Act like an investigative reporter by sifting through expert interviews and reports on extreme weather and climate change.
17:02
This Biden Appointee Is Bringing Justice To Green Energy
The nation’s first presidential appointee for energy justice talks moving to clean energy, without leaving the most vulnerable behind.
17:37
How We Use Land Contributes To Climate Change
The 2019 IPCC Report explains how proper land management could help or hurt the environment.
8:11
Protecting The Waterways Of The Navajo Nation
Hydrologist Karletta Chief monitors the rivers that flow through the Navajo Nation that have been impacted by runoff from surrounding mines and help the surrounding communities.
Engineering A Fix For The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Students will consider the impact the Great Pacific Garbage Patch on the environment and marine life—and design a waste-catching device.
12:02
A Spike In Tree Loss Puts The Amazon Rainforest At Risk
The Amazon Rainforest may soon be classified as a savanna instead of a rainforest, due to accelerating deforestation. What does that mean for the planet?
6:59
Alan Alda Wants To Know: ‘What Is Climate?’
In his annual Flame Challenge, Alan Alda is calling on scientists to answer a seemingly simple, but complex question.
Down The Drain: How Water Journeys Through City Sewers
Investigate how water travels through city sewers and impacts the environment. Then, experiment to address urban flooding and pollution.
Mission Rehydrate: Water For A Thirsty Planet
Discover how astronauts recycle water on the ISS, then build and test your own filter to address real-world environmental issues.
The Albedo Effect, Urban Heat Islands, and Cooling Down Your Playground
Explore the albedo effect by designing a school playground with lower surface temperature, then learn how soot from wildfires changes the albedo of the Greenland ice sheet.
Investigate Biodiversity As You Design A Frog
Design a frog species of your own as you learn about the many ways frogs and toads adapt to their environment.
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Degrees Of Change
Understanding the challenges, but focused on the solutions, Degrees of Change was a project exploring the problem of climate change and how we as a planet are adapting to it.
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