How could positive “tipping points” accelerate climate action?
As catastrophic climate change tipping points loom, could positive shifts toward green action also be speeding up?
This campus takes “learning environment” literally
At the University of the District of Columbia, sustainable infrastructure is part of the educational experience
Are China’s pledges to green its Belt and Road Initiative the real deal?
Some are skeptical of claims the country’s massive global infrastructure program can be sustainable
Can traditional knowledge keep California from going up in flames?
This “indigenous revolution” aims to prevent catastrophic blazes, protect biodiversity, and enhance cultural and economic well-being at the same time
Across the globe, those harmed by climate change are turning to courts
Climate litigation is on the rise, as is the activism that goes along with it — which some experts say can be just as important.
Can the EPA Get Environmental Justice Right?
In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promised justice in the Texas town of Port Arthur. Some residents say the EPA failed then, but now they see a potential path forward.
This pillar of the rainforest needs support
Enforcement, policy and funding are critical if Indigenous people are to continue to sustainably manage mahogany
Opinion: We need Nature-POSITIVE Solutions to address the climate crisis
“Nature-Based Solutions” and “Natural Climate Solutions” leave too much room for greenwashing
5 ways climate change will affect animals and plants
Warming temperatures, stronger storms and rising seas present a cascade of challenges that researchers are racing to understand.
What can organic solar cells bring to the table?
OSCs expand the potential applications of solar technology, but there are still challenges to be overcome before large-scale deployment.
Large food companies are looking to lock carbon in soil as a way to meet ambitious emissions goals
Regenerative agriculture practices can sequester carbon in soil, but for companies with complex supply chains, the logistics of moving to such practices can be complicated.
Youth environmental activists in Russia face down obstacles to spread their climate message
Russia is warming 2.5 times faster than the planet as a whole, but young activists there say they have an uphill climb when it comes to drawing attention to climate change.
Why aren’t solar water heaters more popular in the U.S., even in solar-friendly states like California?
Despite widespread global success and huge opportunity for reducing fossil fuel demand, solar water heating is virtually unheard of in the U.S. Evidence suggests our demand for simple fixes is to blame.
Of hemp’s many uses, one of the most promising could be in construction
“Hempcrete,” made from the woody core of hemp, is showing promise as an environmentally friendly building material.
6 ways environmental advocates can change climate concern into action
Many Americans are ready for meaningful progress on climate change — so how can they make it happen?
Opinion: Governments must support a just transition for oil workers and their communities
As demand for fossil fuel plummets, education, job creation and other support is critical to save millions of oil industry employees and their communities from collapse.
Can the forests of the world’s oceans contribute to alleviating the climate crisis?
Researchers are looking to kelp for help storing carbon dioxide far beneath the surface of the sea.
Could Akira Miyawaki’s 50-year-old innovation help promote biodiversity and reduce the risk of climate change?
An innovative approach to growing forests is getting fresh attention from a world seeking to protect species and suck carbon dioxide from the air
Cobalt is critical to the renewable energy transition. How can we minimize its social and environmental cost?
Demand for cobalt is expected to soar in coming years as electric vehicles take to roads everywhere.
Does this tiny island off the coast of Maine hold the answer to the future of electricity?
Integrating time-tested technology with emerging innovations, remote Isle au Haut could be a renewable energy model for the rest of the world.
3 ways to tell if corporations are genuine about fighting climate change
Experts offer criteria for separating legitimate climate plans from hollow claims
More and more homeowners are renovating existing homes to make them “net zero” energy consumers. Here’s how.
Energy-conscious retrofits can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of housing without the need to start from scratch
Opinion: Flying less should be a high-priority climate action
Air travel is a significant — and unequally distributed — contributor to climate change, and universities and other institutions with outsized impact need to reduce.
Opinion: Yes, it’s still up to you to do something about climate change
Increasingly, we’re hearing that individual action is insignificant relative to needed political change, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.
How the U.S. power grid is evolving to handle solar and wind
As renewable energy sources move mainstream, electricity generation and distribution systems are getting an extreme makeover
Nuclear power offers an abundant supply of low-carbon energy. But what to do with the deadly radioactive waste?
The race is on to develop new strategies for permanently storing some of the most dangerous materials on the planet.
Opinion: If you are flying, you should be buying carbon offsets
Air travel has a gigantic carbon footprint. And, contrary to popular belief, carbon offsets do make a difference.
With no upfront costs, this innovative financing tool makes energy efficiency affordable to all
By rolling upgrade costs into monthly bills, utilities are helping customers save energy and money at the same time
From German trains to South Korean buses, hydrogen fuel is back in the energy picture
As the price of renewable energy drops and storage technologies mature, hydrogen fuel is drawing fresh attention.
The electric vehicle boom is coming. What can we learn from early adopters?
From tiered electric rates to equitable taxes, experienced communities have a lot to teach when it comes to managing the anticipated influx of EVs.
Germany’s transition from coal to renewable energy offers lessons for the rest of the world
The country’s decades-long shift from industrial mining to clean energy has brought both challenge and opportunity
To avoid climate catastrophe, we’ll need to remove CO2 from the air. Here’s how.
With sufficient investment and strategic deployment, carbon dioxide removal and storage can play a key role in keeping global warming to a level we can live with.
How new technologies are shrinking wastewater’s hefty carbon footprint
Communities looking to reduce fossil fuel use find opportunity in energy-hogging treatment plants.
Does it really matter whether companies track their carbon footprints?
Voluntary greenhouse gas accounting has become common in the private sector, but is it helping?
This Mexican farm is growing trees, cows — and climate solutions
Under the right conditions, agriculture can make sequestered carbon one of its most valuable products.
OPINION: How some climate “wins” can lead to other uphill battles in the clean energy fight
Proponents should consider all possible reactions in order to create a smoother path forward for clean energy.