Environment

Yes, there are world records for lightning.

The most metal of all weather events occurred in 2020, when a lightning bolt lit up the sky for nearly 500 miles.

Recycling razor blades isn't as easy as throwing them in the recycling bin, but that doesn't mean you should treat them like trash.

Illustration of Ansault pear from "The Pears of New York".

From Ansault pears to passenger pigeons, you'll likely never find these delicacies from days past on a menu ever again.

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2020.

Thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio’s environmental activism, there’s now a critically endangered species named in his honor.

Despite being the most venomous snake in the world, the inland taipan isn't necessarily the deadliest.

These are the national parks where a fun vacation is most likely to turn into an emergency situation.

The talented lyrebird can mimic almost any sound it's exposed to, including those of cameras, chainsaws, and car alarms.

Viewing the northern lights in a 4K video isn't quite as impressive as seeing them in person, but it is much more convenient.

Giant African land snail shells are about the size of an adult human's fist.

The first thing you notice about giant African land snails is that they're ginormous. The second thing is that they're not limited to Africa.

With this creative alternatives, you won’t even miss tinsel.

The fashion of the modern Christmas tree has left tinsel behind, and you can too. With these seven alternatives, we don’t think you’ll even miss it.

Glencoe as seen from across Loch Leven in the Scottish Highlands.

For less than $50, Highland Titles will sell you a single square foot of Scottish land—making you an official lord or lady.

Making one simple change to your morning coffee order will cut down on a lot of wasted plastic in the long run.

Many of Australia’s koalas have chlamydia, which is making it extra difficult for them to keep their population numbers up.

A Currier & Ives lithograph depicts people fleeing across the Randolph Street Bridge during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

On October 8, 1871, Chicago was transformed into a hellish inferno by the Great Chicago Fire. By the time a sudden rain helped extinguish the flames, 300 people were dead, and 100,000 more were homeless. And no: It was not because of Mrs. O'Leary's cow.

An illustration of a woolly mammoth, blissfully unaware of its species impending doom.

How many ice ages have there been so far? The same number of ‘Ice Age’ movies that have been released. (Five.)

The endangered species, including 11 birds, haven't been seen in decades as a result of human interference of their habitats.

Only two hours outside Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park has always had a glamorous cachet. But it also has a fascinating history filled with Hollywood-style drama.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Autumn.

Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in the United States.

Your baby's diaper may be harboring a different kind of nasty surprise: lots of microplastics from clothing, toys, and formula bottles.

Calving is one way that glaciers lose ice.

If you want to behold some of the world's most majestic glaciers on six continents, you better act fast.

Each year, more than 8 billion used Taco Bell sauce packets end up in landfills. A new recycling initiative aims to change that.

Composting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, and now you can get started with this perfectly sized indoor compost bin.

Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska.

For a more tranquil experience, consider heading to one of the national park system's least-visited properties.

"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my plants. Prepare to die." —What you should say if you see this in your yard.

For this invasive species, it’s best to adopt a ‘Take no prisoners’ mentality. And that may mean drowning spotted lanternfly eggs in alcohol.

A Massive, 477-Mile Long Lightning Bolt Just Obliterated All Previous Records

How to Safely Recycle Old Razor Blades

11 Extinct Foods From History

Meet Leo—A Critically Endangered Tree Species Named After Leonardo DiCaprio

Why the World's Most Venomous Snake Isn't the Deadliest

The 16 Most Dangerous National Parks in the U.S.

This Australian Bird Can Mimic the Sounds of Cameras, Chainsaws, and Car Alarms

If You Can't View the Northern Lights in Person, Watch This Stunning 4K Video of the Aurora Borealis Over Russia

10 Huge Facts About Giant African Land Snails

7 Festive Alternatives to Tinsel

You Can Become an Official Lord or Lady—and Help Protect the Scottish Highlands—For Less Than $50

Making This One Small Tweak to Your To-Go Coffee Order Can Help Make It More Sustainable

Australia Is Vaccinating Hundreds of Its Koalas Against Chlamydia

8 Surprising Facts About the Great Chicago Fire of 1871—150 Years Later

20 Cool Facts About the Ice Age

Nearly 24 Species of Wildlife Are About to Be Declared Extinct

10 Facts About Joshua Tree National Park

10 Facts About Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Your Baby's Poop May Be Full of Microplastics

12 Disappearing Glaciers Around the World

Finally, There's a Way to Recycle Your Drawer Full of Old Taco Bell Sauce Packets

Start Composting at Home With This 4.7-Star-Rated Bin for $30

Looking to Get Outdoors But Escape the Crowds? These are America’s 20 Least-Visited National Parks

If You See a Spotted Lanternfly, Officials Say ‘Kill It! Squash it, Smash it … Just Get Rid Of It!’