Maple seeds’ unique spinning motion allows them to travel far even in the rain, a new study shows

Spinning maple seeds can shed raindrops in the blink of an eye to regain their helicopter-like flight.

Andrew Dickerson, Associate Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
Feb. 28, 2025 ~5 min

Coastal economies rely on NOAA, from Maine to Florida, Texas and Alaska – even if they don’t realize it

NOAA’s work has kept fisheries from collapsing, helped coastal ecosystems survive extreme heat and battled invasive species, among many other tasks essential to coastal economies.

Christine Keiner, Chair, Department of Science, Technology, and Society, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
Feb. 28, 2025 ~10 min


The UK’s food system is broken. A green new deal for agriculture could be revolutionary

A transition from animal proteins to more plant products could help with the food crisis while offering farmers a more sustainable income.

Benjamin Selwyn, Professor of International Relations and International Development, Department of International Relations, University of Sussex • conversation
Feb. 28, 2025 ~8 min

We need to switch to heat pumps fast – but can they overcome this problem?

Stopping climate change will require a rapid shift to electric heating and vehicles – but people need to be wooed.

Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition • conversation
Feb. 26, 2025 ~8 min

We need to switch to heat pumps fast – but can they can overcome this problem?

Stopping climate change will require a rapid shift to electric heating and vehicles – but people need to be wooed.

Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition • conversation
Feb. 26, 2025 ~8 min

Will the UK’s proposed long-term emissions strategy get us to net zero? An expert review

The UK’s official climate adviser has published its seventh climate budget, with a plan to reduce emissions up to 2042.

John Barrett, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy, Deputy Director of the Priestly Centre for Climate Futures, Theme Lead for the UKRI Energy Demand Research Centre, University of Leeds • conversation
Feb. 26, 2025 ~8 min

Parrotfish support healthy coral reefs, but they’re not a cure-all, and sometimes cause harm

A widely held view in ocean conservation asserts that parrotfish are key to healthy coral reefs. But evidence suggests that the relationship is more complicated.

Ana Lilia Molina Hernández, Postdoctoral research fellow, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) • conversation
Feb. 26, 2025 ~8 min

Why religion is fundamental to addressing climate change

The climate crisis demands new ways of thinking, new ways of perceiving reality. Religion is fundamental to achieving that.

Hanane Benadi, Research Officer, Religion and Global Society, London School of Economics and Political Science • conversation
Feb. 24, 2025 ~6 min


Climate change could make more turtles female – but some are starting to adapt

The temperature of a sea turtle’s nest controls the sex and survival rate of their offspring.

Robin Snape, Associate Researcher, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter • conversation
Feb. 21, 2025 ~6 min

Switching to electric vehicles will push the power grid to the brink

If every car was electric, every single power station in the UK could be devoted entirely to powering them and it still wouldn’t be enough.

Florimond Gueniat, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Birmingham City University • conversation
Feb. 20, 2025 ~6 min

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