Latest Articles

Border fence doesn’t stop humans, just endangered species

The 600 or so miles of fence splitting the U.S. from Mexico hasn't stopped immigrants from moving northward, but the fence has kept a few (non-human) endangered species from crossing the border. According to a new study, some species have had their range cut by 75 percent.

But the affected species, which include the Arroyo toad, California red-legged frog, black-spotted newt, and Pacific pond turtle, aren't the type that tend to incite widespread indignation on their behalf — that is, they’re reptiles and amphibians, which usually aren’t considered cute enough to worry about.

Add this foldable canoe to your climate change survival plan

Are you concerned about apocalyptic floods? (Uh, you maybe should be.) Alternately, do you like to hike or bike to places that are good for canoeing? OR BOTH? Either in the short term or the long term, you're probably going to want this foldable canoe, which weighs less than nine pounds and folds to fit […]

Air support: Join the fight for stronger air pollution safeguards

This week, activists took to the sidewalks in front of the EPA to demand stronger air pollution safeguards. Learn how you can help clean up our air and protect public health.

Help MIT evaluate people's attitudes about cities

MIT's Media Lab has developed a website called Place Pulse that evaluates your perception of cities and neighborhoods. You choose which of two images from Google Street View looks more unique, or more upper-class, or safer, and Place Pulse collates everyone's votes in a way that will hopefully be useful for urban planning. And for […]

IKEA to go 100 percent renewable, starting with 67 wind turbines

Lots of companies talk about going green, but the scale of Swedish furniture retailer IKEA's ambition is breathtaking. In its quest to get 100 percent renewable, the firm skipped right over the usual, intermediate step of buying renewable power from a third party.

Overheated river hobbles nuclear power plants

The Tennessee Valley authority has shut down three of its nuclear power plants for the second summer in a row, thanks to unusually warm temperatures in the rivers into which they would normally discharge water.

Are these eco-friendly sandals worth $18,000?

Chipkos, a company that produces eco-friendly footwear, has partnered with artist David Palmer to produce the world's most expensive pair of flip-flops. They cost $18,000, but hey, at least they're really ugly!

Neil deGrasse Tyson blasts Congress for not supporting science

Hayden Planetarium director and former slice of astrophysicist beefcake Neil deGrasse Tyson has some choice words for Congress about its priorities. He's talking about space exploration, which is his particular deal, but the same arguments apply to cleantech and renewable energy innovation.

Critical List: Bachmann goes after Pawlenty on cap-and-trade; a bubble shield for wind turbines

At last night's Republican debate, Michelle Bachmann tried to stake Tim Pawlenty on his support for cap-and-trade.

The EPA wised up and banned DuPont from selling Imprelis, the herbicide that was killing trees.

San Francisco could require businesses to let bikers bring their ride inside.

Perennial Plate: The story so far [VIDEO]

The Perennial Plate hits the halfway point in a journey across America in search of real food. Watch a recap of our adventures.