Mental Floss

ENVIRONMENT

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Why Rising Sea Levels Are a Problem for the Internet

Climate change could eventually interrupt your 'GLOW' binge.

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Whale Sharks Can Live for More Than a Century, Study Finds

They don't reach maturity until they're 25.

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Air Quality in American National Parks and Big Cities Is Roughly the Same

And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

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India's Supreme Court Demands That the Taj Mahal Be Restored or Demolished

Thanks to heavy smog, the Taj Mahal isn't as white as it used to be.

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Are You Eco-Conscious? You Could Win a Trip to the Dominican Republic

The contest is easy to enter—no essay required!

Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images

How a Hairdresser Found a Way to Fight Oil Spills With Hair Clippings

Hair booms sop up oil in a way that's gentle on the environment.

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This Self-Cloning Tick is Terrorizing More States

The invasive species likes to gang up on its prey, sometimes swarming animals by the thousands.

A pair of Highland cows.

10 'Udderly' Fascinating Facts About Cows

Cows dot fields and pastures across many countries. Chew the cud over these 10 facts about bovines.

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Sorry, Suckers: Seattle Becomes First U.S. City to Ban Plastic Straws and Utensils

Dealers of illicit straws could be fined $250.

Snøhetta

Norway's New Hotel in the Arctic Circle Will Produce More Energy Than It Uses

When it opens in 2021, Svart will be the world's first 'energy-positive' hotel.

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This Startup's Simple Chemical Process Could Break Down the Plastics We Can't Recycle

It even works on plastics that have been contaminated by food.

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This Waterless Toilet Made of Mushrooms Could Be Key for Refugee Needs

It turns poop into compost.

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How London's Trees Are Fighting Climate Change

The more trees, the merrier.

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The Weather Channel Used VR to Simulate a Shockingly Realistic Tornado

It's not quite 'Twister,' but it's close.

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An Eco-Friendly Startup Is Converting Banana Peels Into Fabric for Clothes

Eat your banana and wear it, too.

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Undersea Internet Cables Could Be Key to the Future of Earthquake Detection

A lot of earthquakes happen offshore, but we don't yet have a comprehensive network of sensors to study them.

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Scientists Have Launched an Earthquake Emoji Design Competition

Could something so simple save lives?

Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. and Legendary Pictures Productions, LLC.

What Would It Cost to Operate a Real Jurassic Park?

Bringing dinosaurs back from extinction gets expensive.

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This Plant Can Burn Your Skin With Its Sap—And It May Be Coming to Your Neighborhood

It's now found in 11 states.

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8 Projects That Reenvision the Traditional Cemetery

Burial and cremation aren't the only two options these days.

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Everyday Household Items Made From Black Plastic Can Be Harmful to Human Health

You may think twice about using black plastic food containers.

Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Which is the Largest National Park in the World?

The answer's not as straightforward as you might expect.

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Disposable Coffee Cups Are Now Banned in Scotland's Government Buildings

The new rule aligns with the EU's mission to cut back on single-use items.

Philippe Huguen, AFP/Getty Images

McDonald's May Be Getting Rid of Its Plastic Straws

Environmentalists have been saying that straws suck for some time.