Creating a sustainable human age we actually want to live in.
New research makes the case that it's not enough to consider the planetary impact of a growing population, alone.
The question “What makes us human?” is typically answered in terms of differences. The traits proposed to define us—tool use, language, empathy, and so on—assume that humanity’s essence resides in what sets us apart from other beings.
New catalysts made from abundant and inexpensive materials could lead to a commercially viable way to convert carbon dioxide into plastics and other useful products.
Certain salt-loving microorganisms could eat seaweed and produce biodegradable plastics in a sustainable fashion.
Manufacturing bricks is carbon-intensive and creates toxic air pollution. Recycling treated solid waste to make bricks would keep some of this waste from landfills and reduce brick-making's emissions.
In 2016 alone, humans consumed almost 70 billion chickens globally. These huge numbers are part of the reason why the biomass of humans and domesticated animals, combined, now outweighs that of all wild vertebrates on earth.
When people look to nature for solutions to wildfires made bigger, hotter, and more dangerous by climate change, they tend to focus on vegetation—not animals. Yet evidence suggests that big plant-eaters may help prevent fire.
A genetic tweak that makes photosynthesis more efficient in plants could increase crop yields by 40%, and help feed millions more people around the globe.
Fast fashion is a bane on the environment. Now researchers have come up with a way to turn discarded clothes into fire- and water-proof building materials.
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