Latest science news in Earth & Climate

Sparking new ideas on how wildfire influences climate

1 year ago from

Wildfires have spread across the planet for millennia, but they are increasing as the climate warms. Decimated forests, depleted crops, and destroyed buildings are the hallmark of wildfire devastation. Another...

Polyethylene packaging may have lower global warming impact than alternatives, study finds

1 year ago from

A new Europe-focused study reveals that polyethylene (PE), the most widely used packaging material in Europe, has lower life cycle global warming potential (GWP)—often used to assess greenhouse gas (GHG)...

Polar vortex patterns explain shifting US winter cold despite warming climate

1 year ago from

Despite a warming climate, bone-chilling winter cold can grip parts of the U.S. In a study appearing in Science Advances, researchers found that two specific patterns in the polar...

Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries, UN agency says

1 year ago from

Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries and are taking an increasing toll on health, economies and the environment, the U.N. World Meteorological Organization...

How a Canadian's AI hoax duped the media and propelled a 'band' to streaming success

1 year ago from

A Canadian who duped journalists in an elaborate hoax involving Spotify, AI and a suspicious rock band says he apologizes to anyone hurt by his experiment but that it's been "too...

No, David Suzuki hasn't given up on the climate fight — but his battle plan is changing

1 year ago from

The Canadian environmentalist says it's too late to solve the climate crisis, especially through legal, political and economic channels. Instead, Suzuki says he believes the future of the movement depends...

1,500 deaths in recent European heat wave were due to climate change, study estimates

1 year ago from

Human-caused climate change is responsible for killing about 1,500 people in last week's European heat wave, a first-of-its-kind rapid study estimates.

Terry Fox’s brother finishes cross-country bike ride, at same place where Marathon of Hope started

1 year ago from

A group of cyclists led by Darrell Fox left Stanley Park in Vancouver in early June to honour the 45th anniversary of his brother’s attempt to cross Canada on foot...

I came to Canada as an international student. It was a cold, hard road to achieving my dream

1 year ago from

After Keerthy Vinukonda came to Canada from India, she commuted 20 hours a week to jobs that would get her work experience to allow her to become a permanent resident.

Lego Thanos-snapped this awesome Avengers set away, but Amazon has blipped it back for Prime Day

1 year ago from

$37 off for Prime Day, this Lego Avengers set is an action-packed reminder of when the MCU was good. But you'll have to move fast if you want to claim...

Are you a Canon fan? These anti-Prime deals save you hundreds off top models including R8, R5 II and R6 II

1 year ago from

Walmart is serving up some hot anti-Prime Day deals on Canon EOS R cameras with hundreds of dollars off the best models!

ENDING TODAY: Break the streaming barrier with nearly $700 off NordVPN, four months free and an $50 Amazon voucher

1 year ago from

Want to stream anything, anywhere, in complete safety? Our exclusive NordVPN offer saves you up to $691, including four months free and a $50 Amazon voucher! But it ends today,...

Best Amazon Prime Day 2025 streaming deals — last chance to get over 90% off

1 year ago from

These are the best Amazon Prime Day streaming deals that are still on offer, but you'll have to hurry, as Prime Day ends today.

Scientists potentially narrow MH370 search area to 3 spots

1 year ago from

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Scientists have potentially narrowed the search area for the missing Malaysian airliner to three specific locations in the southern...

Loss of sea ice leads walruses to early appearance in Alaska

1 year ago from

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Hundreds of Pacific walruses came ashore to a barrier island on Alaska's northwest coast, the earliest appearance of the...

Unprecedented Fire Season Has Raged Through One of Earth's Biodiversity Hotspots

1 year ago from

More than 500 fires have burned across Colombia, including in its delicate and unique highland wetlands, one of the fastest evolving ecosystems on Earth

California reports sharp rise in valley fever cases for first three months of 2025

1 year ago from

Weather patterns, construction activity and wildfires can all play a role in outbreaks of valley fever, caused by inhaling a fungus.

Monster earthquake could sink swath of California, dramatically heightening flood risk, study says

1 year ago from

A long-feared monster earthquake off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington could cause some areas to sink by more than 6 feet, dramatically heightening the risk of flooding.

Edison hit with lawsuit saying Eaton fire exposed people to toxic substances

1 year ago from

Lawyers filing the lawsuit cite an investigation by The Times in which the testing of soil samples at homes found toxic heavy metals in excess of California standards.

L.A. County finds high lead levels in soil on properties already cleaned by Army Corps

1 year ago from

New soil testing has found high levels of lead in the soil at wildfire-destroyed homes that federal cleanup crews had determined to be cleared of such contaminants, according to Los...

Researchers call on Newsom to pay for post-fire soil testing in Los Angeles County

1 year ago from

A group of environmental researchers is calling on the Newsom administration to step in and pay for soil testing at thousands of homes destroyed in the Eaton and Palisades wildfires.

Months after the fires, how safe is it to swim at L.A.'s beaches?

1 year ago from

Assessing the January fires' environmental toll is tough on land. It's even harder in the sea.

California board voted to nix a controversial hazardous waste proposal

1 year ago from

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control had planned to weaken rules for hazard waste disposal. An oversight board voted to kill that proposal.

A mysterious, highly active undersea volcano near California could erupt later this year. What scientists expect

1 year ago from

Nearly a mile deep, the Pacific Ocean volcano known as Axial Seamount is drawing increasing scrutiny from scientists who only discovered its existence in the 1980s.

CalRecycle drafts revised plastic recycling rules that are more friendly to industry

1 year ago from

Newsom scuttled the finalization of a landmark waste law, leading CalRecycle to propose new rules. Critics say the rules pander to industry by making broad exemptions.

'It's pretty bleak': A warming planet is poised to get even hotter, forecasters warn

1 year ago from

Get ready for more fires, more droughts and more hurricanes.

Want to understand CalRecycle's chemical recycling rules? You'll need to pay

1 year ago from

CalRecycle's latest attempt at rules to implement the state's plastic waste law is under fire — including for its decision to use ISO guidelines on hazardous waste that cost nearly...

Lawmakers ask Newsom and waste agency to follow the law on plastic legislation

1 year ago from

More than two dozen lawmakers signed a letter urging the governor and CalRecycle to toss regulations drafted to implement landmark plastic legislation they say ignores the law.