Where would birds be without us?
To reassess current conservation efforts, researchers simulated the potential ranges of bird species on a landscape devoid of people
Where would birds be without us?
Issue #6 Science Shorts Stories
Researchers devise a scheme to treat carbon debt like financial debt
Researchers devise a scheme to treat carbon debt like financial debt
If you want to take out a carbon “loan” (that is, emit more carbon than the 1.5 °C budget allows) you’ll have to pay interest on it
Cement battery could turn buildings and bridges into gigantic energy-storage devices
Cement battery could turn buildings and bridges into gigantic energy-storage devices
Coupled with solar power, this new technology could provide lighting for skyscrapers and power for infrastructure monitoring systems, among other energy needs.
To help save the climate, ask yourself if that videoconference could be a voice call
To help save the climate, ask yourself if that videoconference could be a voice call
The major determinant of the environmental footprint of Internet activities: video, especially high-definition video, a new study reveals.
Employment in the energy sector will dramatically expand as economies decarbonize
Employment in the energy sector will dramatically expand as economies decarbonize
A team calculated that a decarbonized world could lose 9.5 million fossil fuel jobs—and gain a whopping 17.4 million renewable jobs.
Predicting which animals will thrive in a human-dominated world isn’t always straightforward
Predicting which animals will thrive in a human-dominated world isn’t always straightforward
A research team found that 33% of the North American mammals they studied were negatively affected by human activity; whereas 58% were positively affected.
Plant-based plastic cutlery rarely gets composted. This advance could give it a new purpose
Plant-based plastic cutlery rarely gets composted. This advance could give it a new purpose
Researchers have now found a way to turn these plastics into foam that can be used for building insulation or flotation devices
A new type of soil irrigates itself
A new type of soil irrigates itself
Adding super-moisture-absorbent gels to arid soils could liberate farming from expensive irrigation and power systems
What will it take to shrink the carbon footprint of health care?
What will it take to shrink the carbon footprint of health care?
A small but growing group of researchers and physicians working to quantify the environmental impact of healthcare—and to reduce that impact without compromising patient care.