Environment

Volunteer Art Broszeit peers through a high powered scope trained on Haystack Rock, where the tufted puffins nest for the summer.

Rediscovering Haystack Rock With An Assist From The 'Puffin Man'

12:20pm September 06, 2018

by Kirk Siegler

A rocky outcropping on Oregon's coast is home to dozens of rare tufted puffins and, this summer, volunteer Art Broszeit — a de facto expert on the exotic cold climate birds.

Queue Listen Now

An unmanned automobile competes in the i-VISTA (Intelligent Vehicle Integrated Systems Test Area) Autonomous Driving Challenge on August 18 in Chongqing, China.

What Happens When A.I. Takes The Wheel?

12:04pm September 06, 2018

by Jasmine Garsd

In his new book Autonomy, Larry Burns, formerly with General Motors, argues that self-driving, electric cars are inevitable. In an interview with NPR, he addresses the now — and the future.

Many coastal research labs, like the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, face increased flooding from rising seas.

Coastal Labs Studying Increased Flooding Consider Moving Because Of Increased Flooding

10:09am September 06, 2018

by Tegan Wendland

Scores of coastal research labs around the country are helping communities plan for sea level rise. But now many are starting to flood themselves.

Queue Listen Now

Can Anyone Fix A Rigged Economy?

3:48pm September 04, 2018

Is populism a threat or an opportunity?

Researchers are using underwater microphones to help better understand the extensive array of animals living in oyster reefs.

The World Of An Oyster: Scientists Are Using Microphones To Spy On Reef Life

8:02am September 04, 2018

by James Morrison

Reefs are being rebuilt along U.S. coastlines, which is good for the oyster. But how does it affect other underwater life? Researchers are listening to find out what animals use the reefs and why.

A sow grizzly bear spotted near Camas in northwestern Montana. Wildlife officials endorsed a plan in August to keep northwestern Montana's grizzly population at roughly 1,000 bears as the state seeks to bolster its case that lifting federal protections wi

Grizzlies Have Recovered, Officials Say; Now Montanans Have To Get Along With Them

4:56pm September 03, 2018

by Nick Mott

A healthy population of grizzlies in and around Glacier National Park means the bear may soon come off the Endangered Species List. But more bears mean more confrontations with humans.

A toxic algae bloom in Oregon's Detroit Lake caused havoc in May, when toxins made their way into the city of Salem's drinking water. Oregon has since enacted rules requiring water systems to test for algae toxins.

As Climate Warms, Algae Blooms In Drinking Water Supplies

4:51pm September 03, 2018

by Dirk VanderHart

Algae isn't just causing swimmers' itch anymore; it's threatening water supplies. State regulations are starting to address it.

Queue Listen Now

A new report suggests that when consumers buy sustainably-certified coffee, they have little way of knowing whether or how their purchase helps growers.

Do Sustainable Certifications For Coffee Really Help Coffee Growers?

7:46am September 02, 2018

by Angus Chen

A global development research organization study suggests that there's little data showing whether growers benefit from sustainably certifying their coffee because they are difficult to monitor.

Shifts in temperature are leading to shifts in the wedding industry as bakers, photographers, florists and the couples they serve think about how to beat the heat on this all-important day.

Say 'I Do' Without The Sweat: Wedding Pros Share How They Beat The Heat

6:19am September 02, 2018

by Adelina Lancianese

As the planet loses mild weather days because of climate change, wedding professionals are devising creative ways to keep cakes fresh and guests cool.

The herbarium at Muhlenberg College contains thousands of specimens, some collected more than 100 years ago.

Centuries-Old Plant Collection Now Online — A Treasure Trove For Researchers

6:01am September 02, 2018

by Susan Phillips

Close to 800,000 records from about a dozen plant collections or "herbaria" are being digitized, allowing researchers broad access to data on plant species collected and preserved in past centuries.