Articles

Here’s what it’s like to ride on a subway with the doors open

What's worse -- a transit system that shuts down all the time because of malfunctions, or one that just powers through?

Jess Zimmerman Cities

Parking? Lots! A case study of absurd and pernicious parking rules

Many cities legally require off-street parking spaces for single-family homes. This leads to ridiculous and unwelcome results.

Alan Durning Culture

Obama in Berlin: “We have to get to work” on climate change

Climate change "is the global threat of our time," Obama said in a big speech at the Brandenburg Gate. Fitting, as the weather in Berlin was an unseasonably hot 92 degrees.

Lisa Hymas Climate & Energy

Canadian crooks are illegally dumping squirrels

Ottawans are rounding up squirrels and sneaking them into Quebec, the squirrel toilet of Canada.

Jess Zimmerman Culture

Get ready to feel disappointed by any drink not brought to you by a trained otter

Tsukumi Dolphin Island, a Sea World-type park in Japan, employs an otter to fetch patrons juice from a vending machine.

Jess Zimmerman Culture

Dead zone could break records in Gulf this year

Heavy farm runoff and heavy rainfall could lead to a New Jersey-sized dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico this year. The news for Chesapeake Bay is more upbeat.

John Upton Food

Fast food giants make their food look imperfect so you’ll forget it’s hella processed

Your daily creep-out: Junk food giants are trying to trick you into thinking their food looks wholesome and artisanal.

Holly Richmond Food

Woody Harrelson wants your paper to be less, well, woody

The actor and green activist talks about his non-traditional political views, Hollywood’s influence on environmental issues, and making non-wood paper.

Darby Minow Smith Technology

It’s OK, New York! You’ll figure out composting eventually

New York City is rolling out a composting program. Food waste and the Big Apple -- this could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Nathanael Johnson Technology

Are fungus-farming ants the key to better biofuel?

Secrets from the leafcutter ant's underground fungus fields could help create a more efficient ethanol.

Tim McDonnell Climate & Energy

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