ENVIRONMENT

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

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

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.

20 Cool Facts About the Ice Age

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

Nearly 24 Species of Wildlife Are About to Be Declared Extinct

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

10 Facts About Joshua Tree National Park

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.

10 Facts About Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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

Your Baby's Poop May Be Full of Microplastics

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.

12 Disappearing Glaciers Around the World

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

Tips for Growing a Giant Pumpkin

With the right seeds and growing conditions, you can cultivate a 300-pound pumpkin in time for next Halloween.

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

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

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

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

5 Tips for Keeping Your House Pollen-Free

Spring may be the most intense allergy season, but ragweed pollen reigns come fall. Here’s how to keep your house pollen-free.

Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska.

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

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.

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

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 Sydney Suburb Is Combating Climate Change by Requiring Light-Colored Roofs and a Tree in Every Yard

Planting trees means more shade, and white roofs emit less heat. Here’s how Australia’s Wilton area is fostering eco-friendly growth.

Scientists from the expedition tagging whales in the Santa Barbara Channel.

The Loneliest Whale: Documentary Chronicles a Search for the 52 Hertz Whale

Fifty-two Hertz, dubbed 'the loneliest whale in the world,' has roamed the Pacific for decades, singing at a much higher frequency than other whale species.

Volcanic activity in Alaska has scientists on guard.

There Are Three Volcanoes in Alaska Erupting Right Now

Three volcanoes are exhibiting activity in Alaska's Aleutian Islands, prompting scientists to watch and wait for what may happen next.

Record Temperatures Are Frying Live Shellfish on Canada's Pacific Coast

The brutal Pacific Northwest heatwave of summer 2021 has left Canada's beaches filled with cooked and rotting shellfish.

Pink waters of Lake Hillier in Australia.

Why Argentina's Pink Corfo Lagoon Is Unlike Nature's Other Brightly Colored Lakes

Unlike Australia's Lake Hillier, a pink lagoon in Argentina's southern Patagonia region isn't natural.

Lonely at the Top: Protecting Hyperion, the World's Tallest Tree

Redwood National Park is home to Hyperion, the world's tallest tree. But you won't find it marked on any maps—and that's for its own good.

Lonely at the Top: Protecting Hyperion, the World's Tallest Tree

Redwood National Park is home to Hyperion, the world's tallest tree. But you won't find it marked on any maps—and that's for its own good.

Lonely at the Top: Protecting Hyperion, the World's Tallest Tree

Redwood National Park is home to Hyperion, the world's tallest tree. But you won't find it marked on any maps—and that's for its own good.

Poison ivy is about to get more annoying.

Poison Ivy Could Be Getting Itchier—Here's Why

The irritating plant is soaking up the atmosphere's increased levels of carbon dioxide to grow into a bigger, badder nuisance.

The World’s Best and Worst Cities for Air Pollution

Taking a breath of fresh air isn't always possible in some heavily polluted cities around the world.

Justice Branch: Tree DNA Helps Secure Conviction of a Lumber Thief

A case of tree theft in Olympic National Forest in Washington was proven by matching the DNA of the stolen lumber with the tree's remains.

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