ENVIRONMENT

A man checking out Caspar David Friedrich’s ‘The Sea of Ice.’

9 Winter Paintings Inspired by Real Events

From post-battle landscapes to cold weather fun, the events that occurred during frosty temperatures have led many an artist to pick up their brush and get painting.

California wildfires: Firefighters struggle with strained water system

What Are the Santa Ana Winds?

News reports warn about the Santa Ana winds and their power to turn modest wildfires into conflagrations. Here’s why these wind patterns in Southern California can be so destructive.

Roman coins from the Hoxne hoard, buried in the 5th century in Hoxne, Suffolk, UK.

Lead Pollution May Have Lowered IQs in Ancient Rome, Study Finds

The mass production of silver coins in the Roman Empire had an unintended effect: spewing so much lead into the atmosphere that it may have lowered citizens’ IQs.

Here‘s how people are able to stay warm in igloos.

How Do Igloos Keep People Warm?

The interior of an igloo can be 40 to 60 degrees warmer than its surrounding environment.

Otters Are Keeping Invasive Crabs Under Control in Monterey Bay

A new study shows that hungry sea otters are keeping Monterey Bay’s green crab population in check, one bite at a time.

A tugboat on the Thames near Tower Bridge in heavy smog, 1952.

The Great Smog Descended on London More Than 70 Years Ago—And its Cause Took Almost As Long to Discover

Heavy fogs have long been a part of life in London. But the darkness that enveloped the city on December 5, 1952 wasn’t your typical pea-souper.

How to Properly Dispose of Wrapping Paper

Can wrapping paper be recycled? As you may have guessed, correctly disposing of wrapping paper can be a bit complicated.

It can serve all kinds of purposes you might not have expected.

6 Eco-Friendly Ways to Dispose of Your Christmas Tree

When it’s time to say goodbye to this year’s Christmas tree, don’t just dump it in the trash. Try one of these eco-friendly methods instead.

1 Trillion-Ton “Megaberg” Is Roaming the Ocean Once Again

The mammoth iceberg first broke off in 1986. Roughly the size of Rhode Island, A23a is on the move once more.

Mountaineers making their way to the summit out Mount Everest.

29 Geographical Superlatives That Will Change How You See the World

From the world’s tallest peaks to its deepest lakes and beyond

The monarch butterfly is facing challenges.

Monarch Butterflies May Soon Be Protected By the Endangered Species Act

Conservationists warn that the monarch could die out by the end of the century unless action is taken.

What‘s less frequent than northern lights? Their opposite: anti-auroras.

Rare, Black ‘Anti-Auroras‘ Spotted in Alaska

Anti-auroras are even less common than the northern lights.

The northern lights are an event to remember.

Missed the Northern Lights This Year? Scientists Say They’re About to Get More Active

If the northern lights are on your bucket list, the 2026 to 2027 winter season will be exciting for you.

The online database covers nearly all the fossils discovered in New Zealand.

New Zealand Is the First Country to Open Its Fossil Database to the Public

New Zealand’s open-access fossil database makes it easier for scientists to collaborate.

An Australian Zoo Needs Help Collecting Deadly Spiders and Their Eggs

The Australian Reptile Park is asking the public to capture the Sydney funnel-web spider, one of the most dangerous species in the world.

They are several differences between the two.

Tsunami vs. Tidal Wave: What’s the Difference?

Tsunamis and tidal waves may look similar, but they differ in crucial ways.

New Study Reveals the Source of the Corpse Flower’s Horrible Stench

Research (and lots of dry-heaving) has revealed why the flower reeks of weeks-old road kill.

Local Canned Air Is Being Sold as a Souvenir at Italy’s Lake Como

Forget the snow globes and ornaments. Buy souvenir air instead.

The beaches of Newfoundland are covered with gooey white blobs.

Weird White Blobs Are Taking Over Some Canadian Beaches

The beaches of Newfoundland are a little less pleasant since white blobs have appeared everywhere.

Giant sequoias are Earth’s most massive trees.

A Forest of Giant Sequoias Is Growing in Detroit

A local organization is aiming to fill Detroit’s vacant land with gigantic forests.

The 10 Greenest Cities in the U.S.

If you want to lessen your impact on the environment, consider moving to one of these metro areas.

Mount Everest is slowly getting more challenging for climbers.

Mount Everest Keeps Growing—a New Study May Help Explain Why

The world’s tallest peak is experiencing an 89,000-year-long growth spurt.

The Neptune Memorial Reef off Florida’s coast.

Explore the World’s First Underwater Cemetery

Neptune Memorial Reef is a piece of art, a cemetery, and a haven for wildlife.

Scientists are concerned, and you should be too

Scientists Say Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday Glacier’ Could Be Gone Within 200 Years

Scientists warn that the loss of the Thwaites Glacier could raise global sea levels by 25 inches.