Trees, rivers and mountains are gaining legal status – but it’s not been a quick fix for environmental problems

As the scale and severity of environmental issues become more obvious, lawmakers are experimenting with new ways to protect nature. One approach that has gone from...

A changing climate, growing human populations and widespread fires contributed to the last major extinction event − can we prevent another?

Over the past decade, deadly wildfires have become increasingly common because of both human-caused climate change and disruptive land management practices. Southern California, where the three...

Memes about animal resistance are everywhere — here’s why you shouldn’t laugh off rebellious orcas and sea otters too quickly

Memes galore centered on the “orca revolution” have inundated the online realm. They gleefully depict orcas launching attacks on boats in the Strait of Gibraltar and...

Rising temperatures mean more air conditioning which means more electricity is needed – rooftop solar is a perfect fit

On June 12 this year, the UK’s last remaining coal-fired power station was awoken from a 46-day slumber to meet demand for electricity to run air-conditioning...

Climate change is making debt more expensive – new study

Threat from climate change to some of India’s sacred pilgrimage sites is reshaping religious beliefs

The famous pilgrimage site of Kedarnath, located in the central Himalayas of India, is believed to be a sacred land. It has been referred to as...

Two new Australian mammal species just dropped – and they are very small

Linette Umbrello, CC BY-SA You probably know about the Tasmanian devil. You might even know about its smaller, less-famous relative, the spotted-tailed quoll. But these are...

This solar cycle, the sun’s activity is more powerful and surprising than predicted

A coronal mass ejection on the solar surface. (NASA/GSFC/SDO) What do you feel when you see the aurora? Otherwise known as the northern or southern lights,...

The war on cars

(Version française disponible ici) What’s so picturesque about any street in Japan, city or country? Buildings and street furniture whose modernity we recognize, but that have...

International Wolf Day: Why Canadians are no longer afraid of the ‘big bad wolf’

Who is afraid of the big bad wolf? Turns out, fewer Canadians than you might think. But that was not always the case. Aug. 13 marks...