Playing God With the Atmosphere
Interfering with Earth’s climate systems is becoming more possible—and less predictable—than ever.
Planet
Your guide to life on a warming planet
Maine Is a Warning for America’s PFAS Future
New federal rules require public systems to measure and mitigate certain harmful man-made chemicals. Maine is already learning how hard that can be.
A 600-Year-Old Blueprint for Weathering Climate Change
During the Little Ice Age, Native North Americans devised whole new economic, social, and political structures.
Too Few Americans Are Eating a Remarkable Fruit
Breadfruit is a staple in tropical places—and climate change is pushing its range north.
America’s Climate Boomtowns Are Waiting
Rising temperatures could push millions of people north.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump Have Thoughts About Your Next Car
Get ready for the EV election.
Fruit Chaos Is Coming
Climate change is threatening to turn sublime summer stone fruits disgusting, or rob us of their pleasures entirely.
Electric Cars Are Still Not Good Enough
The long, torturous wait for cheap EVs isn’t ending in 2024.
The Oceans We Knew Are Already Gone
As far as humanity is concerned, the transformation of our seas is “effectively permanent.”
Goodbye to Biden’s First Climate Envoy
John Kerry believes the world can still limit global warming, even if U.S. climate politics are “embarrassing.”
There’s Only One Way to Fix Air Pollution Now
Clean-air rules just can’t keep up with climate change.
A Climate Reckoning Is Coming for the Next President
A second Trump term would be a disaster. And the U.S. would mostly be hurting itself.
California’s Climate Has Come Unmoored
The weather of catastrophe is here.
Hurricanes Are Too Fast for Category 5
Climate change could double the risk of hurricanes with wind speeds greater than 192 miles an hour in the Gulf of Mexico.
Nature Doesn’t Care Where a Species Is From
A new study finds that large herbivores have the same impact on plant diversity whether they’re native or introduced.
Risking Their Lives to Ski While They Can
Winter sports are gnarlier than ever.
America Is Missing Out on the Best Electric Cars
Whatever kind of EV you might want, chances are China has it.
Why Biden Handed Climate Activists a Huge Victory
He still wants to look like the climate president.
Prepare for a ‘Gray Swan’ Climate
The next climate extremes are both predictable and unprecedented, and they’re coming on fast.
Military Emissions Are Too Big to Keep Ignoring
The world is finally talking about them.
The Threshold at Which Snow Starts Irreversibly Disappearing
If you think it’s bad now, strap in.
A Major Climate Force Has Been Ignored for Decades
Small mammals play an outsize role in shaping the world around them.
Pack Your Memories Into Your Disaster Bag
Survivors of disasters can benefit from preserving meaningful parts of their life.
Electric Cars Are Already Upending America
After years of promise, a massive shift is under way.
Future-Proofing Your Town Sounds Great, Until You Try It
After a wildfire razed a Canadian town, its leaders pushed for climate-friendly rebuilding. Residents just wanted to come home.
If Not Vegan, or Vegetarian, How About Chickentarian?
Chicken can be part of a climate-friendly diet; we’re just eating way too much of it.
The World Has a New Floor for Climate Ambition
This COP agreement is the least we can do on climate change.
The Fossil-Fuel Industry Has a Rosy Idea of Its Future
As Canada congratulated itself in Dubai on climate leadership, its oil executives milled about the climate conference.
A Radical Idea to Break the Logic of Oil Drilling
An unofficial proposal for a fossil-fuel-nonproliferation treaty is gaining popularity at the UN’s annual climate meeting.
The Hybrid-Car Dilemma
Americans are falling in love with hybrids. Why don’t car companies want to make them?
What Is Anyone Really Doing at COP?
The UN climate summit is the one place the countries suffering most from climate change can face down the countries causing it.
Elephants Might Have a Big Carbon Footprint
Even wild animals can aggravate climate change.
Something Big Just Happened at COP
Wealthy countries might finally pay for the climate change they caused.
Hydrogen Is Just Another Hole for Natural Gas to Fill
One of Joe Biden’s big climate bets follows an old familiar logic.
2023 Just Notched Its Most Ominous Climate Record Yet
We all just lived through our first 2-degree Celsius day.
Plastic Has Changed Sea Turtles Forever
Even if plastic pollution stopped tomorrow, turtles would be dealing with the repercussions for centuries—at least.
One Huge Contradiction Is Undoing Our Best Climate Efforts
The math isn’t adding up.
Tiny Climate Crises Are Adding Up to One Big Disaster
Billion-dollar disasters are breaking records, but the accumulation of small disasters can be devastating too.
The Solar-Panel Backlash Is Here
On sunny days, some states can waste lots of clean energy. Their response has been to make panels less affordable.