ENVIRONMENT

Yes, there are world records for lightning.

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

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

How to Safely Recycle Old Razor Blades

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".

11 Extinct Foods From History

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The talented lyrebird can mimic almost any sound it's exposed to, including those 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

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.

10 Huge Facts About Giant African Land Snails

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.

7 Festive Alternatives to 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.

Apple Is Launching a New Self-Service Repair Program, So You Never Have to Be Embarrassed by Your Cracked Screen Again

Apple screen repair could be easy for tech-savvy DIYers to figure out. Now, thanks to Apple's new Self-Service Repair Program, they’ll finally get the chance.

Christmas tree harvesters hard at work at Oregon's Holiday Tree Farms in November 2017.

The American Christmas Tree Association Is Warning of a Christmas Tree Shortage in 2021—So Plan Ahead

Climate change has hit Christmas tree farms hard. Thanks to supply chain issues, artificial tree vendors haven’t fared much better.

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

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

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

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

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

Australia Is Vaccinating Hundreds of Its Koalas Against Chlamydia

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.

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.

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