How to get rid of reusable bags piling up in your home Home organizer Britnee Tanner tells her clients to choose their favorites and assign a specific job to each The Independent UK · Sep 21
As cities prepare for 2026’s super El Niño, some crucial blind spots can’t be ignored This year’s El Niño has the potential to be one of the strongest in living memory, and the evidence is showing up around the world. The Conversation · Sep 21
Nvidia chip-use emissions match that of a Russian state coal producer, report says The AI boom has driven US chipmaker Nvidia’s supply chain emissions up by 725% since 2020, according to a new report by environmental and civil society groups. Euronews · Sep 21
‘The physical toll is visceral’: How Indonesia’s fire haze affects millions - visual guide Intensified by this year’s super El Niño, fires in Borneo and Sumatra are emitting toxic air for swathes of the population in Indonesia and its neighbours The Guardian - AU · Sep 21
In 2003, Mexico's Salinas Victoria used landfill methane to tackle waste pollution; the result made 7 MW, powering 25,000 homes and Monterrey’s public transport network daily Salinas Victoria experience also showed how waste management and energy planning can intersect. The World Bank reports that the plant eventually supplied almost 60% of the energy needed for public street lighting, public buildings and drinking-water pumping in the Monterrey metropolitan area, while covering about 80% of the energy requirements… The Economic Times · Sep 20
Can an HOA Fine You for Letting Your Lawn Go Dormant? Your grass turns brown during a scorching, rainless summer, so you do what seems reasonable: stop pouring hundreds of gallons of water onto it and let the lawn go dormant. Then an HOA violation notice appears in the mailbox demanding that you restore the green lawn—or face a fine. It… Frugal Gardening · Sep 20
The Native Plant Garden Looks “Messy” to the HOA — Who Gets to Decide? You replaced thirsty turf with coneflowers, milkweed, native grasses, and other plants that provide food and habitat for wildlife. The bees seem delighted, but then a letter arrives from the homeowners association saying your yard looks overgrown and needs to be cleaned up. HOA native plant rules are becoming a… Frugal Gardening · Sep 20
Sea dragon populations decimated in ‘mind-blowing’ mass mortality event caused by South Australian algal bloom Thousands of sea dragons, pipefishes and seahorses have washed up along state’s coastline according to analysis of citizen scientist records The Guardian - AU · Sep 20
Argentina’s first solar train runs on batteries charged by the Andean sun The Tren Solar de la Quebrada can run nearly double its current length on solar power alone. Euronews · Sep 20
280 hats, 36 sunglasses: Record-breaking 20,00 pieces of trash haul from Yellowstone National Park this year so far Yellowstone National Park's geology team has pulled a record-setting amount of debris from the park's fragile hydrothermal features so far in 2026, according to a report from the US Geological Survey's Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. The Times of India · Sep 19
Washington Supreme Court overturns natural gas initiative approved by voters in 2024 On Sept. 17, 2026, the Washington Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved initiative on natural gas regulations, ruling it violated the state constitution's single-subject rule. Ballotpedia · Sep 19
Red Dye Outfall Test: scientists traced Boston Harbour effluent; data backed long-term cleanup For many years, Boston Harbour's pollution stood as a stark reminder of environmental challenges. Engineers creatively employed red dye to evaluate a new wastewater outfall tunnel, determining that the treated water would disperse safely into the ocean. This innovative project ultimately contributed to cleaner beaches and reviving marine ecosystems, showcasing… The Times of India · Sep 19
California to open 2,060 coastal acres near Diablo Canyon as trails and campsites after $42m deal A 2,060-acre stretch of California’s Central Coast near the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant will become a nature preserve after a $42 million conservation deal. The Wildlands Conservancy plans to open Wild Cherry Canyon to the public with hiking trails and campsites while protecting Native American cultural sites. The preserve… The Times of India · Sep 19
Can an HOA Force You to Grow Grass During a Drought? Your lawn turns brown during a drought, you cut back on irrigation to conserve water, and then an HOA violation letter arrives telling you to restore the grass. It sounds absurd, but conflicts over HOA drought rules are real enough that states have passed laws specifically addressing what associations can… Frugal Gardening · Sep 18
The Independent UK · Sep 18 Life-threatening rains expected across two dozen states over next week Flood watches issued in the Southwest, Intermountain West and Midwest regions on Friday
The Independent UK · Sep 18 Visitors to St. Mary’s Glacier in Colorado are in for a big surprise - it’s not there This is the first time in recorded history that all of the snow has melted at St. Mary’s Glacier
The Times of India · Sep 18 California approves $5 mn toward Chumash Tribe’s $18 mn purchase of former abalone farm land California has approved $5 million towards the purchase of 357 coastal acres in Cayucos that once housed the largest abalone farm in the US. The yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe is raising $18 million to buy the property, restore native habitats, revive aquaculture and support research into…
The Times of India · Sep 18 Recycled Shell Reef Grows: Horry County builds living shoreline; oysters curb erosion and clean water Horry County has embarked on an innovative project utilizing recycled oyster shells to construct living reefs. These newly formed reefs play a crucial role in controlling marsh erosion along Atlantic Avenue in Garden City. The textured surfaces offered by the shells attract new oyster larvae, fostering marine biodiversity and improving…
The Times of India · Sep 18 Christmas Trees Aid Fish Habitat: Discarded evergreens feed fish; anglers track sites by GPS In a unique recycling initiative, discarded Christmas trees and vegetation are submerged underwater to form vital fish habitats. This innovative program improves lake environments that lack natural cover and food sources. As these materials decompose, they nurture insects and microorganisms, which in turn support a thriving aquatic food chain, benefitting…
The Economic Times · Sep 18 In 2017, Iowa upgraded 1,200 low-income homes; 80% got attic insulation, 64% got new heating equipment, and families saved $290 a year In 2017, Iowa's weatherization program made a remarkable impact by assisting 1,200 low-income families. Households saved an impressive average of $290 on energy expenses each year. This initiative not only included the installation of new heating systems and attic insulation but also improved safety by reducing carbon monoxide risks. Clearly,…
Medical Daily · Sep 18 Wildfire Smoke Linked to Higher Heart and Lung Hospitalization Risks Than Equal Levels of Other Pollution Two Mount Sinai studies tie wildfire smoke to greater heart and lung hospitalization risks and poorer lung cancer survival than other air pollution.
Frugal Gardening · Sep 17 The HOA Approved His Garden — Then a New Board Fined Him $750 for It Imagine spending years turning your front lawn into a productive garden, getting written approval from your homeowners association, and then discovering that the approval doesn’t necessarily end the argument. That’s essentially what happened to Michael Sherman of Chino, California, whose front-yard “food forest” contains everything from passionfruit and Swiss chard…
The Economic Times · Sep 17 Chicago weather forecast: Rain, thunderstorms could disrupt weekend plans; Riot Fest, Bears game and White Sox games face wet weather This weekend, Chicago braces for a deluge, with showers and thunderstorms predicted until Sunday. Such unpredictable weather could disrupt major outdoor events, including the much-anticipated Riot Fest and various sporting matches. Following a summer marked by above-average rainfall, the looming heavy downpours risk localized flooding, especially in urban settings. However,…
The Times of India · Sep 17 Iguanas Raft To Anguilla: scientists track 200-mile hurricane voyage; study reshapes island origins Hurricanes in 1995 created a giant debris mat carrying living green iguanas. Fishermen on Anguilla discovered these iguanas, previously unknown to the island. Scientific analysis confirmed their journey across approximately 200 miles of open ocean. This event provided direct evidence for how island species colonize new lands. The iguanas established…
The Economic Times · Sep 17 An Ohio plant takes 190,000 tons of unwanted food a year instead of sending it to landfill; what comes out is pipeline-ready renewable natural gas In St. Bernard, Ohio, a groundbreaking facility is turning food waste into renewable natural gas through anaerobic digestion. This efficient method decomposes organic materials to produce gas, which is purified and delivered into existing pipelines. This approach not only reduces landfill methane emissions but also transforms waste into a valuable…