Environment Archives

Dasha the tiger cools off in her pool at the zoo in Duisburg, Germany, during the recent European heatwave.

Environment

Investigating the Development of the Modern-Day Zoo

Zoo scholar Natascha Meuser reflects on the connection between zoo architecture and the natural environment, the balance between science and slick branding, and the zoo building's hybrid role as a prison, theater, and museum.

Taylor Moore

A victorian crowned pigeon, a species native to Papua New Guinea.

Environment

Papua New Guinea’s Road Expansion Plan Would Escalate Deforestation

In a new paper, a team of scientists cautions that plans to add more than 3,700 miles of roads in the next few years could seriously endanger biological wealth.

John C. Cannon

The streets of Galveston, Texas flooded by rain from Hurricane Harvey.

Environment

What Can Texas Learn From the Netherlands About Flood Prevention?

A worst-case scenario hurricane could threaten large swaths of southern Texas. Flood experts from the Netherlands are attempting to mitigate the damage.

Kiah Collier

"Une Arche de Noé Pour le Climat," an installation of lucite animal figures created by Gad Weil and exhibited at the COP21 climate summit in Paris in December of 2015.

Environment

How Art Can Inspire Viewers Toward Climate Action

New research finds that art with an activist bent can engage and inspire—if it offers hope.

Tom Jacobs

Environment

The Argument for Protecting Wild Foods

"Wild foods," or wild edible species, provide important nutrients for millions of people worldwide, but they were left out of a recent report on creating sustainable food systems.

Sarah Sax

A park bench underwater in East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C.

Environment

The Odds of a Major Flood in Washington, D.C., Will Quadruple by 2050

The one-in-100-year storm that hit our nation's capital last week is expected to become a one-in-25-year event by mid-century, according to D.C.'s own analysis.

Linda Poon

Environment

How Much Has California’s War on Air Pollution Reduced Asthma Rates?

Los Angeles used to be one of the most polluted cities on the planet. After decades of improvements, pollution levels are ticking up again.

Kate Wheeling

Well water is pumped from the ground on April 24th, 2015, in Tulare, California.

Environment

Groundwater Depletion May Cause Domestic Wells to Dry Out

Well depths are increasing across much of the United States, but advocates worry drilling deeper isn't the solution.

Kate Wheeling

Neurons (red) and astrocytes (green), developed from stem cells.

Environment

New Research Shows the Deadly Effect of Neurons on Cancerous Tumors

It appears that tumors can co-opt the signals neurons produce in order to grow, indicating that neurons and cancer cells together might be a dangerous duo.

Claudia Lopez

Environment

The U.S. Virgin Islands Becomes the First American Jurisdiction to Ban Common Chemical Sunscreens

The new law, passed unanimously in the U.S. Virgin Islands’ legislature on June 25th, targets three UV-blocking chemicals found in most mainstream commercial sunscreen products.

Heather Gies