Known for their impressive acrobatic abilities and melodic whale songs, humpback whales can grow up to about 55 feet, with pectoral flippers running about a third of their bodies, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation. These monumental yet graceful whales use their flippers and tails to slap the water, creating dramatic splashes that delight whale
ENVIRONMENT
As the sun comes out and temperatures rise across the country, June is the time to celebrate the wonders of nature in the U.S.A. The month is recognized as Great Outdoors Month and hosts National Trails Day on its first Saturday. In honor of both occasions, the Biden Administration’s Department of the Interior announced that
Three oil companies have canceled their leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Drilling in the refuge has long been a controversial issue, as the 19.5-million-acre wilderness area is home to 45 species of mammals including polar bears, bowhead whales and caribou and considered sacred by the Indigenous Gwich’in people, according to the Gwich’in Steering
The Alps, the most extensive and tallest mountain range located entirely within Europe, are a symbol of natural beauty and famous for winter sports. But, as the planet warms up due to climate change, the iconic white-capped peaks of the Alps are steadily turning green. A study of high-resolution satellite data from 1984 to last
If you’ve ever been to the beach and watched the surfers, you might have occasionally noticed one who had a canine companion riding tandem with them on the board. The pooch looking proud with their owner, staying steadfastly planted like a pro and… squinting? Most of us know the feeling of stepping outside on a
Polar bears are not only the world’s largest bear, they’re also great swimmers and at the top of the food chain in the Arctic, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The ice-dwelling bear, whose Latin name (Ursus maritimus) means “sea bear,” spends much of its time in the ocean and more than 50 percent of
The G7 countries representing the world’s biggest economies made important climate commitments at the conclusion of three days of talks in Berlin on Friday, May 27. The nations’ climate, energy, and environment ministers agreed to largely decarbonize their electricity sectors by 2035, phase out the use of coal, end inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025
Peanut butter is a beloved childhood staple that is just as tasty whether you are five, 50 or 105. However, not all peanut butters have the same nutritional value. Unfortunately, many manufacturers include additives that are unnecessary and negatively affect the nutrition you should be getting when eating a healthy peanut butter. Below, we’ll guide
Cold brew coffee has undergone several transformations in the 21st century for a caffeinated beverage that got its start in the 1600s. Today, steeping coffee in water at room or cold temperatures overnight yields a more mellow coffee full of flavor you might miss if your cup of joe is boiling hot. It’s partially the
Are chia seeds good for you? Yes, chia seeds are tiny nutritional powerhouses that are so easy to include in your everyday diet. Just 100 grams (or eight tablespoons) of chia seeds contain 16.5 grams of protein and 34.4 grams of fiber, according to the USDA FoodData Central database. They are known for being a
A New Zealand grandma has found a way to be the change she wants to see in the world. Sixty-three year old Rosemary Penwarden converted an old Honda into an electric vehicle that she charges with home solar panels. “I suppose I should thank the oil companies, like Anadarko, NZ oil and gas, Shell, OMV,
Amazon shareholders rejected a proposal that would have mandated that the company report on how much plastic it used, the plusses of reducing plastic use and the minuses of continuing its current habits. This was just one of 15 environmental or social-justice proposals that shareholders voted down at the company’s annual meeting Wednesday, even as
A teenage girl in California who shut down a toxic oil-drilling site; a Nigerian lawyer who got long-overdue justice for communities devastated by two Shell pipeline spills; two Indigenous Ecuadorians who protected their ancestral lands from gold mining. These are just some of the inspiring winners of this year’s so-called “Green Nobel Prize.” The Goldman
Climate protesters disrupted Shell’s annual general meeting in London Tuesday, interrupting it for around three hours. However, in the end a majority of shareholders backed the company’s climate plan over the more ambitious plan proposed by activist shareholder group Follow This. “Today’s voting results are a loss in the fight against the climate crisis,” Follow
What grows up to eight inches long, is dark with a white band, can leap a foot in the air and is the latest threat to California’s forest ecosystems? The answer is the Asian jumping worm (Amynthas agrestis), a uniquely mobile species of earthworm with an impressive appetite that was sighted in the state for
Looking to sleep under the stars this summer? Getting out for a camping trip is easier than you might think, but you’ll want to be prepared. Here are a few guidelines for your first night in the great outdoors. Getting Gear Expense can often be a deterrent to getting outdoors. Luckily, it’s possible to get