Plugged In

Is Activism or Moderation the Surest Path to Decarbonization?

Confronting climate change is an urgent challenge. But it's not clear if keep-it-in-the-ground activism or all-of-the-above-energy moderation is the best way forward

Suggestions for Your Weekend Watch List--Let's Talk Energy Efficiency

Whole Foods versus Hilton. NAVY versus Air Force. Boston versus Atlanta. Check out this series of videos from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings initiative, which focus on increasing energy efficiency in buildings

London's Hospitals and Clinics Are Blanketed by Dirty Air

More than half of medical facilities in London are blanketed with air pollution at levels in excess of legal limits. This dirty air poses a health risk to health care workers and patients throughout the city

Landmark 100 Percent Renewable Energy Study Flawed, Say 21 Leading Experts

A critique of seminal research on the feasibility of a 100 percent wind, water, and solar energy system finds serious shortcomings, underscoring the need for continued research and a balanced decarbonization portfolio

Middle School Students Test Their Designs in 27th Solar and Lithium Ion Car Races

This month 53 teams (around 170 middle school students) gathered at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to spend the day racing vehicles that they designed and built

"Good Neighbor Award" Highlights Energy Connections at the U.S.–Mexico Border

This week, current U.S. Secretary of Energy and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry accepted the “Good Neighbor Award” given by the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce

A One–Two Punch to Tackle China's Air Pollution Problems

New research shows how climate and air quality policies can work together to clean up China's air

Solstice Wins MIT Clean-Energy Prize with Smart-Energy System for Developing Nations

Earlier this month, Solstice Energy Solutions—a start-up working to bring an energy-metering program to homes across Nigeria—took the $100K grand prize at the MIT Clean Energy competition

Flying Cars Are Silicon Valley's Latest "Segway Solution" to Real Transport Challenges

Flying cars are the latest tech-tastic news bubbling out of Silicon Valley. But even if they are feasible, will they solve any real problems?

Energy-Efficiency "Godfather" Art Rosenfeld (1926–2017)

Art Rosenfeld was an energy-efficiency pioneer whose work served as the foundation for numerous state and federal regulations to save energy across the U.S. 

Expeditions

Extinction Countdown

News and research about endangered species from around the world

Frontiers for Young Minds

Science by and for kids ages 8-15

Guest Blog

Commentary invited by editors of Scientific American

Illusion Chasers

Illusions, Delusions, and Everyday Deceptions

Life, Unbounded

Discussion and news about planets, exoplanets, and astrobiology

MIND Guest Blog

Commentary invited by editors of Scientific American Mind

Not bad science

New discoveries in animal behavior and cognition

Is Activism or Moderation the Surest Path to Decarbonization?

Confronting climate change is an urgent challenge. But it's not clear if keep-it-in-the-ground activism or all-of-the-above-energy moderation is the best way forward

Suggestions for Your Weekend Watch List--Let's Talk Energy Efficiency

Whole Foods versus Hilton. NAVY versus Air Force. Boston versus Atlanta. Check out this series of videos from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings initiative, which focus on increasing energy efficiency in buildings

London's Hospitals and Clinics Are Blanketed by Dirty Air

More than half of medical facilities in London are blanketed with air pollution at levels in excess of legal limits. This dirty air poses a health risk to health care workers and patients throughout the city

Landmark 100 Percent Renewable Energy Study Flawed, Say 21 Leading Experts

A critique of seminal research on the feasibility of a 100 percent wind, water, and solar energy system finds serious shortcomings, underscoring the need for continued research and a balanced decarbonization portfolio

Middle School Students Test Their Designs in 27th Solar and Lithium Ion Car Races

This month 53 teams (around 170 middle school students) gathered at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to spend the day racing vehicles that they designed and built

"Good Neighbor Award" Highlights Energy Connections at the U.S.–Mexico Border

This week, current U.S. Secretary of Energy and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry accepted the “Good Neighbor Award” given by the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce

A One–Two Punch to Tackle China's Air Pollution Problems

New research shows how climate and air quality policies can work together to clean up China's air

Solstice Wins MIT Clean-Energy Prize with Smart-Energy System for Developing Nations

Earlier this month, Solstice Energy Solutions—a start-up working to bring an energy-metering program to homes across Nigeria—took the $100K grand prize at the MIT Clean Energy competition

Flying Cars Are Silicon Valley's Latest "Segway Solution" to Real Transport Challenges

Flying cars are the latest tech-tastic news bubbling out of Silicon Valley. But even if they are feasible, will they solve any real problems?

Energy-Efficiency "Godfather" Art Rosenfeld (1926–2017)

Art Rosenfeld was an energy-efficiency pioneer whose work served as the foundation for numerous state and federal regulations to save energy across the U.S. 

Voices

Exploring and celebrating diversity in science.