Environment
News and analysis of environmental issues and green technology.
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Protein-rich microalgae is cooked up by some unlikely wild chefs
May 29, 2024When it comes to protein sources that are more eco-friendly than traditional livestock, two of the most promising candidates are insects and microalgae. Scientists have now devised a method of using waste from the former as food for the latter. -
Alaska's technicolor rivers are rapidly spreading – and we now know why
May 21, 2024For the first time, scientists from across North America have formed a clear picture of Alaska's 'rusting' rivers and streams, tracking 75 areas in the remote Brooks Range that are flushed with the bizarre hue so bright it's even visible from space. -
Elon Musk's plan to address the "very solvable" water scarcity crisis
May 20, 2024Elon Musk dropped in on the 10th world Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia, and outlined a plan to solve humanity's growing water scarcity crisis. "The potential for solving any given water issue is very good," he told the assembled dignitaries. -
This 50,000-year-old block of ice reveals the true state of CO2 levels now
May 14, 2024Despite evidence that indicates we're now living beneath unprecedented levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases, a lack of historical records has meant we've had little to compare it to. So scientists decided to consult the planet's own record books. -
Human hair: A surprisingly effective way to soak up oil spills
May 12, 2024In a world of weird, this one ranks up there... A non-profit out of San Francisco, California, is cleaning up oil spills using the naturally adsorbent properties of human hair, woven into thick mats that soak up a gallon and a half at a time. -
Earth's 'Gateway to Hell' is growing by 35 million cubic feet each year
May 08, 2024Whether a John Carpenter fan or not, you shouldn't need much convincing to see that the thawing of subterranean permafrost at the poles is not really a good thing. Siberia's biggest sinkhole is now devouring the landscape around it at an alarming rate. -
Tiny tenacious robots snatch bacteria and microplastics out of the water
May 08, 2024Scientists have developed tiny "robots" which appear to be very effective at removing microplastics pollution from water. What's more, the little bots also target the harmful bacteria that often hitch a ride on the plastic particles. -
Plastic embedded with plastic-eating spores is degradable – and tougher
April 30, 2024A new biodegradable plastic embedded with spores of plastic-eating bacteria manages to break down 90% of the material after five months in landfill. Weirdly, this actually made the plastic tougher and stronger during use. -
Soybean waste used to grow good "green" food for farmed fish
April 26, 2024Fish farming may be getting much more eco-friendly, courtesy of soybean processing wastewater. Microbes in the liquid have been used to produce proteins that could replace the fishmeal which is currently fed to farmed fish. -
Superfood protein pulled out of thin air massively scales up production
April 24, 2024It's super-sustainable, easily made and nutrient-dense. And it puts all other food production to shame. Now, the first air-protein factory is open. It's the food of the future, and soon a $100 million industry – but will you be putting it on your plate? -
45% of China's urban land is rapidly sinking due to manmade development
April 18, 2024A perfect storm is brewing for China's cities due rising sea levels and accelerated subsiding land. Scientists have now sounded the alarm that, without intervention, urban areas below sea level will triple by 2120, impacting up to 128 million people. -
Self-dying bacterial black leather paves the way for greener textiles
April 04, 2024Bacteria-produced leather is already an eco-friendly alternative to its cow-derived counterpart, but it could soon be even eco-friendlier. Scientists have gotten the microbes to color the stuff themselves, eliminating the need for toxic dyes. -
"First plastic demonstrated to not create microplastics" has been tested
March 22, 2024Even when it’s ground into microparticles, 97% of an algae-based plastic biodegrades in compost and water in under seven months, a new study has reported. The researchers hope their plastic will eventually replace existing petroleum-based ones. -
Winged cargo ship saves three tonnes of fuel per day on first voyage
March 19, 2024An age of greener, more efficient shipping may be in the offing as a specially modified 43,000-tonne bulk freighter completes a six-month sea trial using a combination of diesel engines and a set of high-tech automatic sails to catch the wind. -
Rock on the Richter scale: Seismologists rank the top concert-quakes
March 14, 2024With Taylor Swift fans linked to recent seismic activity during her current worldwide 'Eras' concert tour, we thought we’d investigate how other musical artists' fans stacked up in terms of their stadium-shaking abilities. The results may surprise you.
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