Sustainability

Our best advice for how to live in a climate-changing world.

Latest in Sustainability

Ephemeral exhibit at London Design Biennale

Engineering

Bendy, eco-friendly wooden walls were inspired by guitar curves Bendy, eco-friendly wooden walls were inspired by guitar curves

Opened silica gel packet on a wood countertop, ready for someone to find another use for them.

DIY

6 clever ways to reuse silica gel packets 6 clever ways to reuse silica gel packets

By Bridget Reed Morawski

ZiGGY mobile EV charger connected to vehicle in parking lot.

Electric Vehicles

The Dallas airport is testing out EV charging bots that roll around like suitcases The Dallas airport is testing out EV charging bots that roll around like suitcases

Gardener harvesting beets from ground.

Agriculture

A robot gardener outperformed human horticulturalists in one vital area A robot gardener outperformed human horticulturalists in one vital area

1 in 5 people are likely to live in dangerously hot climates by 2100

Climate Change

1 in 5 people are likely to live in dangerously hot climates by 2100 1 in 5 people are likely to live in dangerously hot climates by 2100

By Kristoffer Tigue/Inside Climate News

Recycling bins with symbol

Climate Change

Why the recycling symbol is part of a ‘misinformation campaign’ Why the recycling symbol is part of a ‘misinformation campaign’

By Carla Delgado

Plant-covered roofs could help chill Brazil’s heat-stricken favelas

Climate Change

Plant-covered roofs could help chill Brazil’s heat-stricken favelas Plant-covered roofs could help chill Brazil’s heat-stricken favelas

By Jill Langlois/Undark

Climate Change

Electric cars are better for the environment, no matter the power source Electric cars are better for the environment, no matter the power source

By Charlotte Hu

Extreme weather and energy insecurity can compound health risks

Energy

Extreme weather and energy insecurity can compound health risks Extreme weather and energy insecurity can compound health risks

By Carla Delgado

Concept art of water molecules passing through Air-gen material

Energy

A new material creates clean electricity from the air around it A new material creates clean electricity from the air around it

Climate justice campaigners march from the Shell Centre to Trafalgar Square to demand urgent climate finance and reparations for loss and damage for global south communities on November, 12 2022 in London. The march was organized by the Climate Justice Coalition as part of a Global Day of Action called by African climate campaign groups at COP27.

Climate Change

Chevron’s carbon offsets are mostly ‘junk,’ according to global watchdog investigation Chevron’s carbon offsets are mostly ‘junk,’ according to global watchdog investigation

By Laura Baisas

microscopic image of a hookworm egg

Diseases

Neglected sewage systems are a public health risk for low-income communities Neglected sewage systems are a public health risk for low-income communities

By Theresa E. Gildner/The Conversation

These massive, wing-like ‘sails’ could add wind power to cargo ships

Climate Change

These massive, wing-like ‘sails’ could add wind power to cargo ships These massive, wing-like ‘sails’ could add wind power to cargo ships

By Sara Kiley Watson

A bathtub ring seen above the waterline o the brown and red rocks around Lake Powell, Utah due to drought that reduced the flow of the Colorado River.

Climate Change

Colorado River deals pays Arizona, California, and Nevada $1.2 billion to use less water Colorado River deals pays Arizona, California, and Nevada $1.2 billion to use less water

By Laura Baisas

Pink feathery muhly grass are one the many native types of grass you plant in the US.

Agriculture

9 native grasses that will revitalize your sad, water-wasting lawn 9 native grasses that will revitalize your sad, water-wasting lawn

By Helen Bradshaw

Plugging methane leaks could open up thousands of jobs in Texas

Climate Change

Plugging methane leaks could open up thousands of jobs in Texas Plugging methane leaks could open up thousands of jobs in Texas

By Martha Pskowski/Inside Climate News

This ancient farming practice could get a boost from the US farm bill

Agriculture

This ancient farming practice could get a boost from the US farm bill This ancient farming practice could get a boost from the US farm bill

By Ashley Stimpson/Nexus Media

Close-up of children's diapers stacked in a piles

Engineering

Dirty diapers could be recycled into cheap, sturdy concrete Dirty diapers could be recycled into cheap, sturdy concrete

Pink clover meadow and blue sky.

Animals

This lawn-mowing robot can save part of your yard for pollinators This lawn-mowing robot can save part of your yard for pollinators

Blurry shot of cars commuting on highway at dusk

Electric Vehicles

Get ready for the world’s first permanent EV-charging road Get ready for the world’s first permanent EV-charging road

A NASA satellite image of huge plumes of methane coming from fossil fuel fields in Turkmenistan.

Climate Change

Satellites traced super methane plumes to Turkmenistan’s gas fields Satellites traced super methane plumes to Turkmenistan’s gas fields

By Laura Baisas

Why you barely see electric vehicles at car dealerships

Climate Change

Why you barely see electric vehicles at car dealerships Why you barely see electric vehicles at car dealerships

By Sara Kiley Watson

Taylor Wilson, the boy who built a nuclear reactor as a kid, in his kitchen with his family

Energy

How a 14-year-old kid became the youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion How a 14-year-old kid became the youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion

How the US is fighting wealth disparities in climate action

Climate Change

How the US is fighting wealth disparities in climate action How the US is fighting wealth disparities in climate action

By Carla Delgado

Empty crumpled plastic bottles pattern on blue background.

Climate Change

Recycling plants spew a staggering amount of microplastics Recycling plants spew a staggering amount of microplastics

How sustainable fashion can support factory workers’ rights

Environment

How sustainable fashion can support factory workers’ rights How sustainable fashion can support factory workers’ rights

By Jessica Kutz/The 19th

Amazonian dark earth (ADE) is a nutrient rich dark soil that could play a role in reforestation.

Biology

How 2,000-year-old soil could be a lifeline for the Amazon rainforest How 2,000-year-old soil could be a lifeline for the Amazon rainforest

By Laura Baisas

Airplanes at terminals at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport

Aviation

Europe’s fourth biggest airport plans to ban private jets Europe’s fourth biggest airport plans to ban private jets

Urban water crises often boil down to classism

Agriculture

Urban water crises often boil down to classism Urban water crises often boil down to classism

By Carla Delgado

Yosemite National Park waterfall after California winter snow and rain

Agriculture

What California’s weird winter means for its water problems What California’s weird winter means for its water problems

Aerial view of Palisades nuclear power plant

Environment

A decommissioned nuclear plant may roar back to life in Michigan A decommissioned nuclear plant may roar back to life in Michigan

It’s OK to crack jokes about climate change

Climate Change

It’s OK to crack jokes about climate change It’s OK to crack jokes about climate change

By Katharine Gammon/Nexus Media

A person shakes out a sleeping bag in the mountains

Environment

NEMO unfurls its first recyclable sleeping bag NEMO unfurls its first recyclable sleeping bag

By Abby Ferguson

Green forest with sun shining through trees

Environment

Tinkering with wood turned an insulator into a tree transistor Tinkering with wood turned an insulator into a tree transistor

Could aquifers store renewable thermal energy?

Climate Change

Could aquifers store renewable thermal energy? Could aquifers store renewable thermal energy?

By Carla Delgado

Climate change forces cities to rethink planting trees

Climate Change

Climate change forces cities to rethink planting trees Climate change forces cities to rethink planting trees

By Kate Wheeling/Nexus Media

Kids dressed in bright raingear during a forest school class in Sweden

Climate Change

Young kids learn the realities of climate change in forest schools Young kids learn the realities of climate change in forest schools

A new robotic seed can wriggle into soil to harvest climate data

Agriculture

A new robotic seed can wriggle into soil to harvest climate data A new robotic seed can wriggle into soil to harvest climate data

By Sara Kiley Watson

Cannabis sustainability

Agriculture

Is growing weed sustainable? The answer is complicated. Is growing weed sustainable? The answer is complicated.

By Shaena Montanari

Ancient Maya idol in Copán, Guatemala

Archaeology

Ancient Maya masons had a smart way to make plaster stronger Ancient Maya masons had a smart way to make plaster stronger

The UN’s first high seas treaty could help dwindling Pacific salmon

Animals

The UN’s first high seas treaty could help dwindling Pacific salmon The UN’s first high seas treaty could help dwindling Pacific salmon

By Sarah Trent / High Country News

Examples of floating plastics collected in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre during The Ocean Cleanup’s 2018 expedition.

Animals

Some coastal critters are thriving in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch Some coastal critters are thriving in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

By Laura Baisas

A mangrove tree in Florida to represent blue carbon and the ocean's power to fight climate change

Climate Change

Blue carbon is a natural climate solution with big potential Blue carbon is a natural climate solution with big potential

Food forests can bring climate resilience, better health, and tasty produce to city residents

Agriculture

Food forests can bring climate resilience, better health, and tasty produce to city residents Food forests can bring climate resilience, better health, and tasty produce to city residents

By Carla Delgado

What happens when a tree dies?

Biology

What happens when a tree dies? What happens when a tree dies?

By Camille Stevens-Rumann/The Conversation

Seagreen's offshore windfarm in Scotland

Energy

At 441,000 pounds and 192 feet underwater, this is the world’s deepest wind turbine At 441,000 pounds and 192 feet underwater, this is the world’s deepest wind turbine

By Harry Guinness

Proposed vehicle emissions standards would be America’s toughest yet

Climate Change

Proposed vehicle emissions standards would be America’s toughest yet Proposed vehicle emissions standards would be America’s toughest yet

By Aaron Cole / The Drive

Rainbow trout are vulnerable to viruses—and microplastics make them even sicker

Animals

Rainbow trout are vulnerable to viruses—and microplastics make them even sicker Rainbow trout are vulnerable to viruses—and microplastics make them even sicker

By Elise Cutts/Hakai Magazine

A person sitting in front of a desktop computer in an office, using a laptop. She should learn to schedule a shutdown on Windows.

DIY

Set your computer to turn on and off on a schedule Set your computer to turn on and off on a schedule

How big banks can make real progress against climate change

Climate Change

How big banks can make real progress against climate change How big banks can make real progress against climate change

By Carla Delgado

A wooden serving tray with a variety of dehydrated fruit and herbs on it, along with fresh fruit and herbs.

DIY

Dehydrating food can save you money and reduce waste Dehydrating food can save you money and reduce waste

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Close up of hand holding Levi's tag sticking out of jeans back pocket

AI

Levi’s claimed using AI models will boost company’s sustainability and diversity Levi’s claimed using AI models will boost company’s sustainability and diversity

Woolly mammoth meatball on stone plate atop smoky table

Environment

Scientists made a woolly mammoth meatball, but don’t grab your fork yet Scientists made a woolly mammoth meatball, but don’t grab your fork yet

plant leaf up close

Engineering

Tiny, fast lasers are unlocking the mysteries of photosynthesis Tiny, fast lasers are unlocking the mysteries of photosynthesis

By Charlotte Hu

Our bottled water habit stands in the way of universal clean drinking water

Climate Change

Our bottled water habit stands in the way of universal clean drinking water Our bottled water habit stands in the way of universal clean drinking water

By Carla Delgado

Some ‘recycled’ product claims are mostly garbage

Climate Change

Some ‘recycled’ product claims are mostly garbage Some ‘recycled’ product claims are mostly garbage

By Ian Morse/Undark

Super Glue tube on blue background

Environment

Super Glue could make it easier to recycle plastic Super Glue could make it easier to recycle plastic

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

President Joe Biden standing at a podium, addressing the White House Conservation in Action Summit.

Climate Change

The US inches closer to protecting 30 percent of all its lands and oceans The US inches closer to protecting 30 percent of all its lands and oceans

By Laura Baisas

A Black person reaching their hands into a zeer pot—a type of DIY refrigerator—full of green beans, tomatoes, and other produce.

DIY

The coolest way to keep food cold without electricity The coolest way to keep food cold without electricity

By Ilana E. Strauss

Person holding handle attached to molten glass

Environment

Scientists have a vision for sustainable, biodegradable glass Scientists have a vision for sustainable, biodegradable glass

The US might finally regulate toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

Climate Change

The US might finally regulate toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water The US might finally regulate toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

By Sara Kiley Watson

Paleo and keto diets aren’t great for you or the planet, study says

Agriculture

Paleo and keto diets aren’t great for you or the planet, study says Paleo and keto diets aren’t great for you or the planet, study says

By Carla Delgado

Pile of plastic materials for recycling

AI

Sorting and recycling plastic is notoriously hard—but this AI could help Sorting and recycling plastic is notoriously hard—but this AI could help

Poop emoji covered in soap bubbles on a light blue background

Agriculture

Your poop is useful. Meet the father-son team creating ‘humanure.’ Your poop is useful. Meet the father-son team creating ‘humanure.’

By Lina Zeldovich