Environment

The changes and wonders of the natural world—and how human interaction influences animals, the ocean, and the rest of the environment.

Latest in Environment

An adult female chimpanzee cracks an oil palm nut with a stone hammer and anvil while her infant son looks at the camera.

Some chimpanzees are great nutcrackers Some chimpanzees are great nutcrackers

By Laura Baisas

Scientists are studying squirrels and hibernation that could help humans get to deep space

Hibernation scientists studying squirrels could get humans to deep space Hibernation scientists studying squirrels could get humans to deep space

By Lauren Leffer

Chaunacops fish with 2024 Look Back article headline

Ghost ships to ghost sharks: 10 wildest underwater discoveries of 2024 Ghost ships to ghost sharks: 10 wildest underwater discoveries of 2024

a svalbard reindeer with antlers standing on muddy terrain

Shorter, fatter, and hairier: 5 fun facts about the world’s smallest reindeer Shorter, fatter, and hairier: 5 fun facts about the world’s smallest reindeer

By Laura Baisas

a glacier hiker climbs in the foreground with a headlamp as a rainbow colored aurora dances above

11 sensational images from the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year awards 11 sensational images from the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year awards

By Popular Science Team

Modern eco home illustration. Building modern design. Energy conservation and wind turbine. Flat vector linear illustration. Tree and bushes. Trendy line style vector.

Gear

6 easy ways to make your home more sustainable 6 easy ways to make your home more sustainable

a strange fish with a blob on its head sits on a rock

27 new, exciting, and blobby species discovered in the Peruvian rainforest 27 new, exciting, and blobby species discovered in the Peruvian rainforest

By Laura Baisas

Snowcat car in a snow ski resort.

The science of ski grooming The science of ski grooming

By Alisha McDarris

Two mastodon teeth found in Orange County, New York

Man discovers giant mastodon jaw in his backyard Man discovers giant mastodon jaw in his backyard

A Sombrero ground lizard (Pholidoscelis corvinus) photographed on Sombrero Island in June 2021. This species is endemic to the Carribbean island.

Population of nearly extinct lizard grows 16X in only six years Population of nearly extinct lizard grows 16X in only six years

By Laura Baisas

An Andean bear at the nature reserve Bioparque Wakata, in Briceno municipality near Bogota, Colombia, on June 21, 2023.

Shy ‘Paddington’ bears need more plants to survive Shy ‘Paddington’ bears need more plants to survive

By Laura Baisas

Modern Kitchen with wooden table, kitchen utensils, cooking pots and others, white background.

Recent panic over black plastic started with a math error Recent panic over black plastic started with a math error

a squirrel sits eating a vole, pulling its meat with its teeth

‘Shocking:’ These squirrels are hunting and eating other rodents ‘Shocking:’ These squirrels are hunting and eating other rodents

By Laura Baisas

a turtle swims in a tank wearing a black weighted harness on its side

Sea turtle with ‘bubble butt syndrome’ gets a 3D-printed custom harness Sea turtle with ‘bubble butt syndrome’ gets a 3D-printed custom harness

By Laura Baisas

A reconstruction of the oldest known gorgonopsian in life.

This dog-like predator is the oldest known mammal ancestor This dog-like predator is the oldest known mammal ancestor

By Laura Baisas

a small blue-colored penguin called a little penguin swims in the ocean

Turtles and penguins have a swimming sweet spot that reduces drag Turtles and penguins have a swimming sweet spot that reduces drag

By Laura Baisas

a group of people walking on a large glacier

Don’t even think about hiking on a glacier without a guide Don’t even think about hiking on a glacier without a guide

By Alisha McDarris

A dramatic blue-grey sky highlights the soft greys of a Weddell seal as it rests on an ice floe.

25 enchanting images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice awards 25 enchanting images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice awards

By Popular Science Team

an orange cat with green eyes with its tongue out

Why do some cats have orange fur? New hue clues in an old mystery. Why do some cats have orange fur? New hue clues in an old mystery.

By Clarissa Brincat

a close up of the eyes of an older dog. it has black fur with touches of grey

Is my dog ‘old’? Vets finally have the answers Is my dog ‘old’? Vets finally have the answers

By Laura Baisas