Environment

DCWater transforms poop into fertilizer with the help of microbes.

People usually want plenty of distance between themselves and their poop, but some engineers argue that all that waste is going to waste.

Leaves of the Conophytum bilobum succulent.

Rare succulents native to California and South Africa are being poached to meet soaring demand from houseplant collectors.

In 1997, 4.8 million LEGO pieces—many of which were nautical-themed—fell off a cargo ship. They're still turning up on beaches 25 years later.

The Svalbard Global Seed Bank in Norway contains 1.1 million seed samples from roughly 6000 plant species, and it just received a new batch of deposits.

Instead of sitting in a landfill for centuries, the sneakers from Johnny Footwear are made to degrade and give life to new plants.

You may be grateful that your car's windshield is cleaner than it used to be, but the lack of bugs on the road isn't something to celebrate.

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.

5 Surprising Uses for Recycled Poop

Your Plant Addiction Is Fueling a Succulent Poaching Crisis

Why LEGO Pieces Have Been Washing Up on English Beaches for 25 Years

The ‘Doomsday Vault’ Has Opened Its Doors to Receive New Seed Deposits

These Biodegradable Sneakers Grow Into Apple Trees When You Plant Them

The Windshield Phenomenon: Why You See Fewer Bugs Splattering Cars Today

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