Environment

A long blue city bus drives down a wet street in a busy urban area.

United States

Buses Go Electric

April 2, 2026

Most buses rely on diesel fuel, which pollutes the air. Some cities are turning to electric buses. Madison, Wisconsin, introduced a fleet of them in 2024. The city will save “roughly a quarter-million gallons of diesel fuel per year,” its…

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Field of colorful wildflowers in bloom with sunlight shining over a stone castle in the background.

World

Human Nature

April 2, 2026

From city parks to rural farmland, outdoor spaces define communities. They’re places to work, to unwind, to connect with neighbors. And they’re in trouble. Issues such as heat, drought, and flooding threaten many of these spaces. That’s why World Monuments…

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Spanish

Business

Rescuing Food

October 9, 2025

Imagine this: You had a late soccer game, and you’re hungry. Your mom agrees to stop by a pizza shop on the way home. It’s closing soon, but all of your favorite slices are still available. Phew! This is great…

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World

Fighting Light Pollution

April 17, 2025

Artificial light includes light from signs and streetlamps. These help people see once the sun goes down. But too much artificial light becomes light pollution. This makes it difficult to see a starry sky. And it affects animal behavior. …

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World

Feeling the Heat

April 17, 2025

About one in five people says climate change has a big impact on their daily life. This is according to a new study, released in March by Climate Central. The group looked at global temperatures between December 2024 and February…

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United States

Cities in Bloom

April 17, 2025

An expanse of wildflowers is a stunning sight. But a wildflower meadow isn’t just nice to look at. It’s also doing important work. It promotes biodiversity. It produces food for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. And it provides a…

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Spanish

World

Air Quality Alert

November 22, 2024

On November 18, the more than 33 million residents of New Delhi, India, woke up to an ugly surprise. The city was covered in smog. It’s a kind of air pollution that creates a thick, toxic fog. In some parts…

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United States

Unwelcome Object

September 12, 2024

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a system of caves in New Mexico. Its ecosystem was threatened recently when a visitor dropped a bag of Cheetos there. Food and drink are prohibited in the caves. A spilled snack might seem harmless,…

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Science

Light Show

May 13, 2024

People in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and other countries were treated to a colorful display in the sky this weekend. These displays, called auroras, are typically seen only near the Earth’s north and south poles. Thanks to…

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Business

Ready for Love

April 3, 2024

Charlotte Liebling considers herself a “world watcher”—someone who carefully observes the world around her. Here’s an example: When she was in college, Liebling volunteered at a store that sold secondhand goods. She observed people bringing in items to donate, including…

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