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Environment

Weather Gone Wild: Could A Fire Tornado Save The Ocean?
April 28, 2026, 12:00 pm EDT
A 2003 bourbon spill accident in Kentucky that created a 100-foot fire whirl on a lake has inspired scientists to develop a revolutionary ocean cleanup method. Researchers at Texas A&M University, led by professor Elaine Oran, constructed a 16-foot experimental setup at a fire training facility in Texas to test whether fire tornadoes could clean oil spills more effectively than conventional methods. The experiment created a 17-foot fire whirl that burned crude oil 40% faster than traditional fire pools, cut toxic soot emissions by 40% and consumed up to 95% of the fuel. The secret lies in the vortex's ability to suck in oxygen from all sides, burning hotter and more completely like a giant incinerator. While fire whirls are temperamental and require precise conditions to maintain stability, Oran believes achieving the right balance in real-world conditions is realistic. She envisions mobile barrier structures that could be deployed directly over oil spills at sea, transforming fire from a destructive force into a protective tool for our oceans. The groundbreaking results were published in the journal Fuel.
Noah’s Ark, A Coral Rescue First
April 10, 2026, 12:00 pm EDT
An unprecedented expedition into the unknown… A disease called stony coral tissue loss was sweeping across Florida’s Coral Reefs. A team of scientists descended on the coral reefs of the Dry Tortugas National Park to rescue stony corals and create gene bank for future coral restoration efforts… were they too late?
Tasmanian Devils Released After Surviving Australian Storms
April 2, 2026, 12:00 pm EDT
After surviving floods, snow and fierce storms, fourteen endangered Tasmanian devils have finally been rewilded to a sanctuary in New South Wales, Australia. Thanks to the tireless care of conservationists, what began as a story of destruction, became one of resilience.
Buried For A Century, Toronto's Wetland Comes Back To Life
March 29, 2026, 7:52 am EDT
Deep beneath Toronto’s industrial waterfront, soil buried for more than 100 years is springing back to life with native plants, ancient seeds and signs of a once-thriving wetland ecosystem. The discovery, made during a massive river restoration project, is reshaping how scientists think about urban renewal, flood protection and the hidden powers in soil.
Amazon Nearing a ‘Tipping Point’ of Irreversible Decline, New Report Finds
January 28, 2026, 6:20 pm EST
Scientists warn that the Amazon is losing its resiliency, and it’s nearing a tipping point, where much of it could rapidly turn into grassy savanna.
Plastic-Eating Robot Fish Could Revolutionize Ocean Cleanup
January 26, 2026, 10:21 pm EST
A robotic fish from engineers at the University of Surrey is making waves in the fight against plastic pollution. It doesn’t just collect plastic, it eats it to power itself. Using technology that turns microplastics into energy, this self-sustaining “robo-fish” named Gillbert could help scientists clean and study polluted waterways like never before.
Gone In November? World’s Biggest Iceberg Splinters, Melts
January 23, 2026, 11:20 pm EST
A23A, the world’s largest and oldest iceberg first broke away from an Antarctic ice shelf nearly 40 years ago, by the end of 2025 it could be no more. It’s now splintered so much it no longer holds the title of “world’s largest.” Watch this video to learn just how small it is now and what could happen next.
Endangered Butterfly Thrives In Unlikely Weather Twist
January 17, 2026, 12:17 am EST
The Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly lives in far South Florida and is incredibly rare. But in a surprise twist, more of them are found in years after a hurricane. Here’s a look at why, based on research that culled through 35 years of population counts - and weather data.
Record Sargassum: Could Your Caribbean Getaway Be Ruined?
December 31, 2025, 9:58 am EST
Scientists are trying to figure out what’s causing a record amount of sargassum seaweed to pile up across the Caribbean. From Puerto Rico to Guyana, tourists and residents are being kept away from beaches by the stinking seaweed that can cause breathing problems and skin rashes. Watch this video to see how some islands are trying to tackle the problem that could cripple tourism.
Destination Dive, Key West
December 20, 2025, 12:18 am EST
Key West, the pulse of the Keys. It’s known for bars, nightlife and history above water. The underwater world here can be just as lively. from the beautiful, resilient coral reefs to the crown jewel of the keys, the USS Vandenberg.

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