Energy
SUNY Plattsburgh
With Utility Smart, you can track how you throw out trash and recycling, or how high you set your thermostat during the winter. It compiles the data and helps you learn about how your choices impact the environment.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi live in symbiosis with plant roots and are able to store up to 70 percent of organic carbon from leaf litter. (Mark Perkins/Flickr)
George Washington University
In many cases microbes are already helping the planet in underrated ways. Technological developments and advanced genetic engineering make microbiological innovation a major player in climate change mitigation.
Northern White Sand mine, North Utica, Illinois. Aerial images taken with the assistance of the non-profit pilot collaborative LightHawk. (Ted Auch/FracTracker Alliance, June 2016)
Northwestern University
Farmers in Illinois are fighting in an ongoing lawsuit to stop a proposed sand mine that would be built close to their land.
The Smoky Hills Wind Farm as seen from Interstate 70 in Lincoln, Kansas. (Drenaline/Creative Commons)
State University College at Buffalo
Cities across the United States are beginning the switch to 100% renewable energy, but just four towns have reached the goal so far.
The George Washington University
Planet Forward led a student storytelling expedition to the Amazon. Immerse yourself in the floating markets, giant water lilies and the Rio Negro. All it takes for this adventure is a smartphone — and the YouTube app. Welcome to Manaus, Brazil.
A sampling of political third party logos: Green Party (top left), Constitution Party (center left), Patriot Party (center right), Pirate Party (top right), Socialist Party (bottom left), Libertarian Party (center left), New Whig Party (center right), and Justice Party (bottom right). (Democracy Chronicles/Creative Commons)
Seattle, WA
The 2016 Presidential Election had more than 6.9 million Americans voting for a third party. As registered independents increase, what do these third parties look like, and what are their views on the environment?
A poster for Caleb Q. Dyer for State Representative. (Photo courtesy Caleb Q. Dyer)
Seattle, WA
New Hampshire State Rep. Caleb Dyer is a 21-year-old libertarian in a state which the economy is reliant on carbon eminent forms of energy.
Assignment Editor, Planet Forward
Brett Reinford and his family use a methane digester on their farm in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania to reduce food waste and generate power.
Ambitions for a carbon-free impact and few emissions: At eco-town Kalu Yala, members of the community live as sparingly as possible, using what they can from the environment around them while replenishing what they can. (Candace Butera/Medill)
Northwestern University
Through a scientific process that seems almost magical, the creation of biochar takes you a step closer to reducing your carbon footprint. But this technique has a history that dates back further than you might think.
Harper Simpson, former agriculture intern at Kalu Yala, wears jewelry to remind her to stay strong in times of hardship. (Cassandra Majewski/Medill)
Northwestern University
In a place so focused on environmental sustainability, an important caveat at the eco-town Kalu Yala is its struggle to create an environment that is mentally sustainable.