Earth

TUN Student Spotlight: Central Michigan U Student Builds Greenhouse for Orphans

Taylor Crowley, an environmental studies major from Central Michigan University, enhanced her learning in a rather unconventional way — working under the blistering Belizean sun to help construct a greenhouse for orphaned girls to grow food. Crowley spent six weeks in the often 100-degree heat of San Ignacio, Belize, in order to use her studies… Read More
Trees Fight Back Against the Impacts of Climate Change

Hurricanes are known for tearing away the limbs and leaves of trees, but some species are able to combat this damage by growing replacement leaves optimized for greater survival, according to a new study. In the study, researchers from Clemson University focused on the tropical dry forests in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria — the… Read More
Do You Know the Environmental Impact of Your To-Go Food?

If you’re running late or need to grab a quick bite to eat in between classes, a stop by the dining hall or a restaurant for some to-go food is often the move. But common takeout containers, made out of plastic, styrofoam and aluminum, carry a hefty carbon footprint and are often difficult to recycle,… Read More
World Is Failing to Meet UN Sustainability Goals, But Students Can Help

In October 2010, government leaders from all over the world gathered for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan, and committed to reach sustainability targets by 2020. Now, eight years later, researchers warn that the current global progress toward sustainability goals is not fast enough to avert the biodiversity crisis, especially… Read More
ASU Student Models How Individuals Can Contribute to Environmental Sustainability

Much of society has come to the realization that, eventually, the world could run out of everything. Animal species, ecosystems, fossil fuels, food and drinking water could all disappear, unless serious changes are made. These threats to the world’s vital resources have motivated the upcoming generation of workers and decision makers to consider sustainability, unlike… Read More
Aquariums Take Stance Against Atlantic Coast Oil and Gas Explorations

A group of major public aquariums has announced its strong opposition to the federal government’s pending permits that would allow frequent seismic blasting to search for oil and gas along the East Coast. Such seismic blasts are damaging to many marine animals’ critical life functions, such as their ability to find mates and look for… Read More
A Transition to Renewables Would Create More Jobs Worldwide

A worldwide effort to combat climate change would create more jobs than it would lose, a new study shows. To achieve the goal set by the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, a switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy is essential. But the switch to clean energy has received… Read More
Forest Snowpack Decline Could Stunt Tree Growth, Impact Animal and Human Life

Climate change could drastically reduce winter snowpack in forests across the northeastern United States, creating a cascade of problems for the ecosystems of affected forests as well as human populations living in those areas, according to a new study. Drawing on over 60 years of data showing winter snowpack declines at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest… Read More
Uneven Sea Level Rise Is Driven by Climate Change, New Study Proves

Climate change, driven by humans, plays a significant role in the pattern of uneven sea level rise, according to a new study funded by the National Science Foundation, the NASA Sea Level Change Team and the U.S. Department of Energy. Using two different climate models, the researchers found that climate change could be attributed to… Read More
New Report Links Climate Change to Health Problems, Premature Death

According to the United Nation’s World Meteorological Organization, 2018 has marked the fourth hottest year on record for the Earth. Despite some who still may disagree, the World Weather Attribution Study for northern Europe showed that this summer’s heat wave was twice as likely to have happened as a result of man-made climate change. Of… Read More
Top 11 Sustainable Fashion Schools in the World

*Updated October 17, 2021 As the current generation witnesses the dire consequences of global warming, we are talking about sustainability, literally, everywhere — in your town governor’s campaign promises, your campus recycling program, and recently, your favorite clothing brand’s website. Starting from the mid-2000s, with advanced technology and increased purchasing power, customers have constantly fed… Read More
Over 200 Worldwide Leaders’ ‘Call to Action’ to Reduce Biodiversity Loss

A group of more than 200 leaders representing global financial institutions, governments and corporations from around the world have jointly released a “Call to Action,” calling for the international community to heighten efforts to protect biodiversity, reduce biodiversity loss, and improve the standards of biodiversity mitigation efforts. The “Call to Action” was released by the… Read More
Extreme Heat Events Are Becoming More Frequent in U.S. and Canada

Extreme heat events are happening more often in the summer and winter across the U.S. and Canada, while extreme cold events are declining, a new study shows. These out-of-place hot spells could have many negative impacts on the environment, agriculture and human health. In the study, researchers from Kent State University looked at the trends… Read More
The News You Missed Over the Weekend

Blame local news for polarization; atmospheric spray as a method to limit global warming; superheroes inspire compassion; new insight to saving reefs. [divider] Loss of local news responsible for political polarization Local news is struggling to survive, and that has contributed to increased political polarization in the U.S., researchers from Louisiana State University (LSU) find.… Read More
Study Shows Increased Public Interest in Conservation

Despite popular belief, the public is becoming more interested in conservation, Princeton University researchers find. This rise in interest comes at a pivotal time, as climate change, pollution, overexploitation and changes in land use continue to drive plant and animal species to extinction. While increased awareness about any environmental issue is generally a good thing,… Read More