Native American voices are finally factoring into energy projects – a hydropower ruling is a victory for environmental justice on tribal lands

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently ruled that it won’t approve energy projects on Native lands without tribal consent. But many more applications are pending.

Denielle Perry, Associate Professor, School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University • conversation
April 17, 2024 ~9 min

Removing PFAS from public water will cost billions and take time – here are ways to filter out some harmful ‘forever chemicals’ at home

Filtering out PFAS is only the first step. These ‘forever chemicals’ still have to be destroyed, and there are many questions about how to do that safely.

Kyle Doudrick, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame • conversation
April 17, 2024 ~9 min


More climate-warming methane leaks into the atmosphere than ever gets reported – here’s how satellites can find the leaks and avoid wasting a valuable resource

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that can leak from oil and gas wells, pipelines and landfills. Satellites can spot the releases fast enough to get them fixed and help protect the climate.

Riley Duren, Research Scientist, University of Arizona • conversation
April 16, 2024 ~9 min

More Undocumented Indian Migrants Enter US through Canada

VOA Learning English • voa
April 15, 2024 ~6 min

From thousands to millions to billions to trillions to quadrillions and beyond: Do numbers ever end?

Here’s a game: Tell a friend to give you any number and you’ll return one that’s bigger. Just add ‘1’ to whatever number they come up with and you’re sure to win.

Manil Suri, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
April 15, 2024 ~8 min

Rural counties increasingly rely on prisons to provide firefighters and EMTs who work for free, but the inmates have little protection or future job prospects

Georgia’s inmate fire crews respond to hundreds of calls in surrounding counties every year. Without them, there might not be a responder, but they aren’t universally loved – and they don’t get paid.

J. Carlee Purdum, Research Assistant Professor, Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center, Texas A&M University • conversation
April 15, 2024 ~9 min

Could a telescope ever see the beginning of time? An astronomer explains

Now out in space for more than two years, the James Webb Space Telescope is a stunningly sophisticated instrument.

Adi Foord, Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
April 8, 2024 ~9 min

Loneliness can kill, and new research shows middle-aged Americans are particularly vulnerable

The need to connect is fundamental. But diminishing social ties and community support are contributing to the loneliness epidemic.

Frank J. Infurna, Associate Professor of Psychology, Arizona State University • conversation
April 5, 2024 ~5 min


Climate engineering carries serious national security risks − countries facing extreme heat may try it anyway, and the world needs to be prepared

The big question: Would climate engineering like sending reflective particles into the stratosphere or brightening clouds help reduce the national security risks of climate change or make them worse?

Tyler Felgenhauer, Research Scientist in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University • conversation
April 4, 2024 ~9 min

America’s green manufacturing boom, from EV batteries to solar panel production, isn’t powered by renewable energy − yet

New charts and data show how corporate demand could boost clean energy investment in regions where renewable energy potential is strong but wind and solar power have lagged.

James Morton Turner, Professor of Environmental Studies, Wellesley College • conversation
April 2, 2024 ~7 min

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