Energy

A collage of agricultural elements including a satellite, crop fields, tomatoes, and growth charts illustrating data, boosted breeding techniques, chemical formulas, and a seedling highlights efforts to combat hunger.

Boosted Breeding and beyond: 3 tech trends that could end world hunger

A world without hunger is possible, and the development and deployment of new farming technologies could be one key to manifesting it.

Kristin Houser

Aerial view of solar panels arranged in rows on green grass, partially obscured by a yellowish haze.

Clean Energy

US hits 180 GW of solar power. Here’s how we get to 1,000 by 2035.

A quick look at the history of solar power in the US and the trends that could lead us into our sun-powered future.

Kristin Houser

Clean Energy

Which technologies will enable a cleaner steel industry?

Technologies like hydrogen-based direct reduction of ore, electrolysis, and advanced furnace technologies could reduce steel emissions.

Daniel Boero Vargas and Mandy Chan | World Economic Forum

Transportation

Electric garbage trucks are (quietly) coming

With Mack Truck’s electric garbage trucks set to be delivered in 2021, your mornings may be getting quieter soon.

B. David Zarley

Drones

Predator drones are using AI to create faster fire maps

The National Guard has used drones to create forest fire maps since 2017. New AI upgrades could make the maps in minutes, not hours.

B. David Zarley

Clean Energy

Nuclear fusion gets closer to reality with this new reactor

Nuclear fusion just took a step forward thanks to a new, compact reactor from MIT.

Amanda Winkler

Climate Crisis

Can trillions of reflective glass beads save arctic sea ice?

Arctic sea ice is more than majestic; it also reflects the sun’s rays. But young, thin ice melts fast. Can silica powder reflect enough sun to help it survive?

B. David Zarley

Sustainability

Doctors fighting deadly climate change

5:32

In partnership with Skoll Foundation

These doctors are coming together to address their collective carbon footprint, explore new solutions, and improve sustainability in healthcare.

Doug Dais

Disaster Response

Starlink satellites bring internet to wildfire-ravaged state

SpaceX’s Starlink satellites are providing residents and emergency responders affected by Washington wildfires with access to reliable internet.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

Can genetic engineering stop the fall armyworm invasion?

The fall armyworm is devastating African agriculture, eating millions of pounds of crops. Can a genetically modified version control their advance?

B. David Zarley

Climate Crisis

Cooling the planet with a giant solar umbrella

Solar geoengineering would cool global temperatures — is it worth it?

Amanda Winkler

Animals

Undescribed deep sea creatures discovered in the great barrier reef

Researchers discovered undescribed deep sea creatures, spotted rare fish, and gathered geological samples from the deepest part of the Great Barrier Reef.

B. David Zarley

Outer Space

Can we turn the moon into a gas station?

NASA is looking to buy moon rocks from private companies. This lunar marketplace will spur the development of new technologies that can extract resources from the moon.

Amanda Winkler

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