Wind and solar power had a great 2012, but they face major challenges in the new year
Debating the New Environmentalism
Three of the top minds in environmentalism battle over whether the green movement needs to change.
Antarctica: It’s Getting Hot at the Bottom of the Planet
A new study shows that temperatures in West Antarctica—which has enough ice to raise sea levels by 10 ft.—are rising nearly twice as fast as scientists had believed.
The Super-Duper, Planet-Frying, Exploding Star That’s Not Going to Hurt Us, So Please Stop Worrying About It
Real astronomy gets mixed up in Mayan silliness—and hilarity ensues
Coming in 2013: The Comet of the Century?
If early observations are any indication, we could be in for a real sky-show next fall
Unbreathable: Air Pollution Becomes a Major Global Killer
According to a new analysis published in “The Lancet,” more than 3.2 million people suffered premature deaths from air pollution in 2010, the largest number on record
President Obama: Person of the Year—and Driller in Chief
President Obama promised to deal with climate change in the White House—and he’s helped pump billions into renewable energy and improved energy efficiency. But his biggest legacy may be the historic boom in domestic oil and gas …
NASA Never Blinks: Rogue Asteroid Caught On Film
A massive space rock poses for its closeup before whizzing by
Anthropocene: Do We Need a New Environmentalism for a New Age?
We’re remaking the very face of the world thanks to population and economic growth. Environmentalism is being challenged—and a group of dissident greens believe we need to rethink the entire project
Tiny Beauties: Visions From Under the Microscope
A global photography contest produces stunning images from an invisible world