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The Beach That Venture Capital Couldn't Buy
Tech billionaire Vinod Khosla claims he just wants to preserve Martins Beach. But he's going about it in exactly the wrong way.
What Makes a City Unhappy?
According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, Dana McMahan splits time between two of the country's unhappiest cities. She set out to explore the causes of the happiness deficits.
Embracing Autumn in the Apple Orchard
Casey N. Cep goes apple picking and realizes the importance of putting winter out of mind.
The End of Stars
Soon, some scientists say, we'll only be able to see the Milky Way in five different states.
Have Humans Have Created a New Geological Era?
Welcome to the Anthropocene.
How to Plant a Library
Somewhere outside of Oslo, there are 1,000 newly planted spruce trees. One hundred years from now, if everything goes to plan, they'll be published together as 100 pieces of art.
The Most Pointless Ferry in Maryland
Most of the some 200 ferries that operate in the United States serve a specific, essential purpose—but not the one that runs across the Tred Avon River.
Can Outdoor Art Revitalize Outdoor Advertising?
That art you've been seeing at bus stations and billboards—it's serving a purpose beyond just promoting local museums.
What Can Hurricanes Teach Us About Mobility?
Hurricane Katrina wrought havoc on New Orleans but, nine years later, is there a silver lining to be found?
Should You Watch That Pre-Flight Safety Demonstration?
Nearly a third of all airplane deaths are preventable, but in the decisive moment most of us will freeze up.
Canada’s Big, Ugly Environmental Problem
Our neighbor to the north’s once-celebrated record of environmental science research and climate change policy has been thoroughly turned on its head over the past decade. And tense negotiations over the Keystone XL pipeline may have damaged Canada’s relationship with the U.S.
The Boom-Bust Girls: Sisterhood in Casper Turns 60
The Geowives, a social club for women whose husbands work in the energy industry, is having difficulty attracting new members, but the existing group remains committed to its Tuesday afternoon lunches.
Designers Can Help Save the Planet
Why we need to encourage more artists and graphic designers to think about presenting our climate change problems in a visually compelling way.
Whither American Cruise Ships?
Shipping out to sea on a luxury cruise liner just doesn't seem to fit too well within our current economic or environmental realities.
The Difference Between Lightning Bugs and Lightning
Last year, 23 people in America died from lightning strikes. And over the last 70 or so years, lightning has killed more people than hurricanes.
Should Tourism Ask More Questions Than It Answers?
Traveling to places where not much remains.
Are Sundays Dying?
Probably. And no one, at least no Canadian, seems to care.
Speaking of Climate Change: Time to Agree on a Language of Defeat?
We should continue to fight for new building codes and oppose the construction of new oil pipelines—and more ambitious projects still—but only because they offer hope and aspiration in the midst of despair, not because they will actually help at this point.
Is Your City Making You Crazy?
Anxiety, mood disorders, and a heightened risk of developing schizophrenia: The psychological problems with urban living. (And some ways to potentially avoid them.)
Why Don’t We Have a National Park to Protect Native Grasslands?
It might be the only way for our National Park Service to nurture the kind of ecological awareness required for a genuine environmental ethic.
Why We Should All Go to National Parks
As their centennial approaches, it's time to remember why the National Parks are so worth protecting.
The Wolves in Our Dogs
Observations from a day spent watching the “8 Mile” pack in Yellowstone with crowds of tourists from an environmental scientist who should know better.
The Seduction of Addiction: A Runner’s Confession
The psychological literature on exercise addiction can be confusing, but maybe that’s because we’re focusing too much on pathologizing the wrong thing.
What’s Wild? The Battle for Nature in the 21st Century
It's conservationist against conservationist as those that care most about biodiversity and wilderness argue over the best way to manage and protect what little we have left.