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Climate

Heat Wave

The End of El Niño Might Make the Weather Even More Extreme

The shift from El Niño to La Niña will see temperatures drop, but when one weather system swings to the other, summers tend to be hotter than average—meaning 2024 could be even warmer and wilder than last year.
hot mess

Each of the Past 12 Months Broke Temperature Records

Dot Physics

How Much Energy Would It Take to Pull Carbon Dioxide out of the Air?

Regulations and Solutions

We Drove China’s Latest Tesla Model Y Rival

The G6 is a Tesla competitor that’s keenly priced and has loads of tech—so why did it leave us cold?

Raycon Made My New Favorite Power Bank

I have high standards for my portable batteries. Somehow, Raycon exceeded all of them and then threw in a phone stand.

The World’s Largest Fungus Collection May Unlock the Mysteries of Carbon Capture

Research is uncovering the key role that fungi play in getting soils to absorb carbon, and how humanity’s actions aboveground are wreaking havoc in the mysterious fungal world below.

Zombie Fire Season Is Here in the Arctic

Every year, peatlands in the Arctic suddenly ignite. Smoldering subterranean fires from the previous summer were thought to be to blame, but now modeling suggests a worrying new cause.

Oceans and Waterways

The Titan Submersible Disaster Shocked the World. The Inside Story Is More Disturbing Than Anyone Imagined

A year after OceanGate’s sub imploded, thousands of exclusive leaked documents and interviews with ex-employees reveal how the company’s CEO cut corners, ignored warnings, and lied in his fatal quest to reach the Titanic.

Ecuador Is Literally Powerless in the Face of Drought

Drought-stricken hydro dams have led to daily electricity cuts in Ecuador. As weather becomes less predictable due to climate change, experts say other countries need to take notice.

The Sea Is Swallowing This Mexican Town

Las Barrancas, in the state of Veracruz, has struggled for 10 years against the rising Gulf of Mexico waters. Its best hope may lie in mangrove trees.

I Spent Two Months Testing Cold-Plunge Pools. I Think I’m Addicted

Keen to try the latest wellness trend, I plunged out of my comfort zone. These are my favorite cold-water plunge pools for any budget.

Extreme Heat

Texas Is Already Running Out of Water

Parts of the state are starting the year with low reserves. With light winter rains failing to replenish supply, and a scorching summer predicted, key areas may be pushed to the brink.

This Radical Plan to Make Roads Greener Actually Works

Using embankments, channels, and dikes, so-called “green roads” help control floods, harvest excess water for irrigation, and slash maintenance costs. A movement to retrofit existing roads is gathering steam.

Dust Is So Much More Than You Realize

In her new book, Dust, Jay Owens charts a fascinating history of the tiny particles floating all around us.

California’s Giant Sequoias Are in Big Trouble

Ancient sequoias are facing an existential threat from increasingly intense wildfires linked to climate change. The question of how to save them has sparked a fierce debate.