The Jharia coal field in India has been on fire underground since 1916.

Why don’t rocks burn?
Curious kids ask questions

Will we eventually have to send our trash into space if we run out of room on Earth?

Humans generate a lot of trash, but there are cheaper and safer ways to handle it than loading it on rockets.

Why does the Earth spin?

An astronomer takes us on a tour of the universe to learn about the birth of stars and planets and how they get their spin.

Why do we use gasoline for small vehicles and diesel fuel for big vehicles?

Both gasoline and diesel fuel are refined from crude oil, but they are good for different things and can’t be used interchangeably.

Thinking green

Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires − why using saltwater is typically a last resort

A firefighting plane dumps water on one of the fires in the Los Angeles area in January 2025.
In emergencies, dumping ocean water on fires may be the best option. But seawater can have long-term effects on equipment and ecosystems, as a novel coastal experiment shows.

How the world fell in love with plastic without thinking through the consequences – podcast

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Plastic waste expert Mark Miodowonik explains the history of plastic and why he believes manufacturers must be responsible for making sure plastic is recycled.

Ambitious L.A. water recycling plan could serve half a million households

LA Post reports on a new UCLA study that confirms LA's ambitious wastewater recycling initiative would strengthen the city's water security amid growing climate challenges and potential natural disasters.   

A Greener Home Starts Today: Save on ENERGY STAR Appliances with New Home Rebates

(BPT) - Energy efficiency isn't a trendy buzzword — it's quickly becoming the new normal for everyday Americans across the country. Beginning this fall and throughout next year, consumers will …

Coal plants are closing. What can be done with them?

(BPT) - The next generation of energy technologies is coming online, delivering energy that is more affordable, reliable and cleaner than ever before. But what happens to the older generation of …

Make a New Year's resolution to prepare your home

(BPT) - When it comes to goal setting for the new year ahead, why not put prepping your home for unexpected life moments top of the list? After all, your home is the center of your life, and the …

How the Earth’s tilt creates short, cold January days

The Sun rises in Midland, Michigan, shortly after 8a.m. on Jan. 13, 2017.
The winter solstice is past, but bundle up – January is when winter really arrives in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
End your year meaningfully with a gift that grows
(BPT) - With one year coming to a close and another about to begin, this is the perfect time to reflect on how you've been blessed this year, as well as ways to best live your values going forward. …
The giant panda's diet is almost 100% bamboo.
Climate change is making plants less nutritious − that could already be hurting animals that are grazers
Rising carbon dioxide levels in the air are making plants grow larger and faster, but diluting their nutritional content. This could threaten the health of herbivores worldwide.
5 tips for staying safe during a winter power outage
(BPT) - Winter is in full swing. It's a beautiful season, but as the temperature drops and the snow, ice and cold approach, there's always the possibility of a power outage. When it's cold outside …
Top 2025 outdoor design trends
(BPT) - Americans are spending more time in their outdoor spaces — and want to maximize those spaces. Studies show that nearly 90% of homeowners consider their outdoor areas to be important to …
How Solar Generators Revolutionize All-Hazards Preparedness
(BPT) - By Craig Fugate, former Administrator of FEMA and a lifelong advocate for all-hazards preparednessWhen you've been in emergency management as long as I have — whether it was leading …

14 million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans each year. 6 ways you can help reduce waste

(BPT) - The world's oceans are a magical, beautiful ecosystem ... and they also need help — urgently. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, by 2050, there will be more plastic by weight …