In the sustainability race, the Olympic Games are lagging behind
No Olympics since 1992 scores high on all sustainability indicators, and the overall picture is middling at best
Apr 2021 20
Sarah DeWeerdt
Sarah DeWeerdt is a Seattle-based freelance science journalist specializing in biology, medicine, and the environment. In addition to Anthropocene, her work has appeared in Nature, Newsweek, Nautilus, Spectrum, and many other publications. Find her on Twitter at @DeWeerdt_Sarah.
Apr 2021 13
To pay for green infrastructure, cities are turning stormwater into an economic resource
But clever new financing instruments come with their own risks
Apr 2021 6
Carbon labeling of food shifts people’s behavior—even among those actively trying to avoid information
A clever study suggests that you simply can’t unknow your food's carbon footprint
Mar 2021 30
Do female leaders make for stronger climate policy?
A new study tried to understand the gender dynamics of local sustainability policymaking—but could not establish cause and effect.
Mar 2021 23
Irrigation canals covered in solar panels are a powerful combination
This one simple trick generates renewable energy, saves billions of gallons of water, and shrinks farmers' carbon footprint—all at the same time.
Mar 2021 16
To get people to switch to green energy. . . make the switch for them
An opt-out rather than opt-in model for renewable power programs yields high participation with few downsides
Mar 2021 9
First comprehensive study of indoor pot farm emissions uncovers a giant climate hot spot
Cannabis growing regulations often focus on drug policy, producing unintended environmental consequences
Mar 2021 2
Newspapers in 4 countries agreed that humans are to blame for climate change, just not which humans
Australian media pointed at India and China; US papers focused on the country’s own responsibility; Indian media pointed to the Global North; and Nigerian news considered all countries equally responsible
Feb 2021 23
Erratic weather inhibits economic growth
An extra degree of day-to-day temperature variability reduces regional growth rates by 5% on average—a pattern seen across economic sectors
Feb 2021 16
How COVID kills coal
The pause of 2020 enabled low-carbon power growth to get ahead of electricity demand growth
