ENVIRONMENT

Apr 16 2026ENVIRONMENT

Rare earths vs reindeer: Sweden's green push clashes with indigenous life

Sweden dreams of becoming Europe’s green energy hub, but a giant mining project could crush that dream for some. Near Kiruna, one of the world’s largest underground iron mines, a new rare earths deposit called Per Geijer could soon open. The Swedish government wants it fast-tracked because Europe ne

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Apr 16 2026ENVIRONMENT

Big Tech\'s Latest Project Raises Health Concerns in Memphis Neighborhood

A major tech company wants to build a huge data center near Memphis, Tennessee, using 27 gas turbines to power its operations. The problem? They haven\'t gotten the proper air quality permits, and critics say this could harm the health of people living nearby. The NAACP is now taking legal action, a

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Water Forward: A Plan to Give a Billion People Clean Water

The World Bank has teamed up with other major lenders to start a new effort called Water Forward. The goal is to give safe water to one billion people in the next four years. The plan wants governments to think of water as a valuable resource, not just a cheap service. It will bring in private in

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

U. S. Views on the Environment Drop to Record Low

A recent Gallup survey shows that only about one third of Americans feel the environment is good, a new low in the past 25 years. Two out of three people think pollution and climate change are getting worse, and most say the government is not doing enough to protect nature. The study also found t

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Electric Cars: A Smarter Choice for Us All

Electric vehicles are gaining ground as a clear benefit for people and the planet. They produce no exhaust fumes, so city air gets cleaner and health risks linked to smog drop. When you look at the money side, charging an EV costs about 40 % less than filling a gas tank. Plus, fewer parts m

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Nature as a Bridge: Stories That Show Us How to Connect

The film “In Our Nature” looks at how kids who spend more time on screens than outside might lose touch with the world around them. The makers asked: if children are glued to devices for up to seven hours a day, what will happen when nature lessons become more political and less universal? They set

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Heat Islands in Cities: Why Some Neighborhoods Feel Like Ovens

Concrete streets and tall buildings store and re‑release heat, turning parts of a city into mini‑ovens. When the sun shines on asphalt and steel, those surfaces keep their warmth longer than trees or grass. The result is an “urban heat island” that makes a block feel hotter than the forecasted tem

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Neighbors debate granite mining plan near Columbia

A mining company wants to blast a new granite quarry just six miles from Columbia’s downtown, but locals aren’t welcoming the idea. Heidelberg Materials has asked for permits to dig up 242 acres near Monticello Road, close to colleges and neighborhoods like Haskell Heights. The plan promises to rest

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Jet fuel spill at Maryland air base raises concerns over environmental safety

A major fuel leak at a military base in Maryland has triggered a cleanup and investigation, raising questions about how well such facilities protect the environment. Over 32, 000 gallons of jet fuel spilled between January and March from a refueling system that was later shut down. A cleanup crew is

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Building safer materials from volcanic ash

Scientists found that ash from Spain’s 2021 Tajogaite volcano could help make greener building materials. They mixed it with strong alkaline solutions and tested how it behaves in water. The tests showed some metals like molybdenum (Mo) leak out more than allowed for safe landfills. Other experimen

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