Anthropocene Magazine

Do solar panels hurt crop yields? It depends on where you farm.  A new study shows agrivoltaics can cut maize yields in humid regions but boost soybean production in drier climates.

Do solar panels hurt crop yields? It depends on where you farm. .


A new study shows agrivoltaics can cut maize yields in humid regions but boost soybean production in drier climates.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=240295

EV batteries are getting better faster than the climate is getting worse Concerns about EV performance in extreme heat waves might be a thing of the past, thanks to improvements in battery technology, researchers show.

EV batteries are getting better faster than the climate is getting worse.


Concerns about EV performance in extreme heat waves might be a thing of the past, thanks to improvements in battery technology, researchers show.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=240268

Contrails are a climate puzzle written across the sky As airlines test new routes and researchers refine models, contrails are shifting from an afterthought of flight to a potential tool for cutting the carbon footprint of aviation.

Contrails are a climate puzzle written across the sky.


As airlines test new routes and researchers refine models, contrails are shifting from an afterthought of flight to a potential tool for cutting the carbon footprint of aviation.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2026/03/cont...

There’s no such thing as a free polymer. The tradeoff at the heart of bioplastics. A new life-cycle analysis reveals that bio-based plastics are better for the climate but worse for biodiversity. The greenest option is reducing demand.

There’s no such thing as a free polymer. The tradeoff at the heart of bioplastics..


A new life-cycle analysis reveals that bio-based plastics are better for the climate but worse for biodiversity. The greenest option is reducing demand.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=240179

Scientists fed biochar to cows. Here’s what happened. A new experiment shows biochar survives cow digestion largely intact, potentially turning cattle into a vehicle for spreading this carbon-stabilizing ingredient into the soil.

Scientists fed biochar to cows. Here’s what happened..


A new experiment shows biochar survives cow digestion largely intact, potentially turning cattle into a vehicle for spreading this carbon-stabilizing ingredient into the soil.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=240051

Breadcrumbs lay path away from fossil fuels Bacteria munching on waste bread release hydrogen that could run chemical reactions, providing a carbon-negative way to produce drugs and food products.

Breadcrumbs lay path away from fossil fuels.


Bacteria munching on waste bread release hydrogen that could run chemical reactions, providing a carbon-negative way to produce drugs and food products.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=240026

Rainforests are rain-making machines worth tens of billions of dollars to farmers. A new study puts a price tag on forest-generated rainfall, making the economic case for protecting tropical forests as deforestation rises.

Rainforests are rain-making machines worth tens of billions of dollars to farmers..


A new study puts a price tag on forest-generated rainfall, making the economic case for protecting tropical forests as deforestation rises.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=240003

Less air pollution means more warming. Could marine cloud brightening offset the paradox? Computer simulations reveal that spraying sea salt aerosols may keep global temperatures near 2020 levels as air pollution falls—but may also redraw regional weather patterns.

Less air pollution means more warming. Could marine cloud brightening offset the paradox?.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239983

Which type of chocolate has the lowest climate impact? A lifecycle analysis compares dark, milk, white, and compound chocolate, and detects the surprising environmental burden of different ingredients.

Which type of chocolate has the lowest climate impact?.


A lifecycle analysis compares dark, milk, white, and compound chocolate, and detects the surprising environmental burden of different ingredients.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239930

Are we jumping the net zero gun with EVs and heat pumps? The two big electrification tools are not delivering on emissions, researchers say. Countries need to prioritize renewables, grid capacity, and carbon capture.

Are we jumping the net zero gun with EVs and heat pumps?.


The two big electrification tools are not delivering on emissions, researchers say. Countries need to prioritize renewables, grid capacity, and carbon capture.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239910

Can ecological collapse be undone? China is making a bold move on the Yangtze River. China’s unprecedented fishing ban is reversing years of biodiversity loss in the Yangtze, raising questions about the possibility—and cost—of restoration.

Can ecological collapse be undone? China is making a bold move on the Yangtze River..


China’s unprecedented fishing ban is reversing years of biodiversity loss in the Yangtze, raising questions about the possibility—and cost—of restoration.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239906

We’re not yet experts at guiding planes to avoid contrails. We should start doing it anyway. According to a comprehensive modeling study, the climate benefits of contrail avoidance depend on speed, not perfection

We’re not yet experts at guiding planes to avoid contrails. We should start doing it anyway..


According to a comprehensive modeling study, the climate benefits of contrail avoidance depend on speed, not perfection
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239898

A highly-sensitive ‘electronic nose’ measures methane where it matters most: On the cow Most existing sensors struggle to isolate methane in the very noisy chemical landscape of a cattle farm. This new invention may change that.

A highly-sensitive ‘electronic nose’ measures methane where it matters most: On the cow.


Most existing sensors struggle to isolate methane in the very noisy chemical landscape of a cattle farm. This new invention may change that.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239869

Researchers have figured out how to make airplanes fly on landfill gas Specially designed efficient catalysts are at the heart of a reactor that makes sustainable aviation fuels from methane-rich gases created when waste decomposes

Researchers have figured out how to make airplanes fly on landfill gas.


Specially designed efficient catalysts are at the heart of a reactor that makes sustainable aviation fuels from methane-rich gases created when waste decomposes
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239860

Can you hear it? That’s the sound of a successful rainforest recovery program. Nearly a million minutes of recorded sound suggest that paying people to protect forests can restore the complex acoustic signatures of biodiversity.

Can you hear it? That’s the sound of a successful rainforest recovery program..


Nearly a million minutes of recorded sound suggest that paying people to protect forests can restore the complex acoustic signatures of biodiversity.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239851

There's now hard evidence guaranteeing a second life for old concrete Thousands of computer simulations show that concrete slabs and beams from demolished buildings can be reused rather than downcycled, aiding the effort to decarbonize the building industry.

There's now hard evidence guaranteeing a second life for old concrete.


Thousands of computer simulations show that concrete slabs and beams from demolished buildings can be reused rather than downcycled, aiding the effort to decarbonize the building industry.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239840

The remarkable climate case for turning farm waste into building materials Wheat straw and rice husks already appear in niche construction products. A new study explores the global climate effects if they went mainstream.

The remarkable climate case for turning farm waste into building materials.


Billions of tons of agricultural waste are burned each year. Researchers say using even a fraction in construction could significantly reshape climate outcomes.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239823

Trash of the week, tech of the future Researchers turn cigarette butts into clean energy-storing materials.

Trash of the week, tech of the future.


Researchers turn cigarette butts into clean energy-storing materials.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239812

A polar bear paradox is unfolding in the Arctic Against the backdrop of Arctic warming, polar bears in Norway’s far north are gaining fat and feeding on new prey—a testament to their adaptability.

A polar bear paradox is unfolding in the Arctic.


Against the backdrop of Arctic warming, polar bears in Norway’s far north are gaining fat and feeding on new prey—a testament to their adaptability.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239802

Biodegradable plastics are not a climate solution on their own A new global life-cycle analysis finds that if not properly disposed of, biodegradable plastics could increase methane emissions and plastic accumulation.

Biodegradable plastics are not a climate solution on their own.


A new global life-cycle analysis finds that if not properly disposed of, biodegradable plastics could increase methane emissions and plastic accumulation.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239795

Just how effective would a European meat tax be for the environment? By removing meat subsidies or taxing carbon across all foods, researchers uncovered how small changes in price could unlock outsized environmental benefits.

Just how effective would a European meat tax be for the environment?.


By removing meat subsidies or taxing carbon across all foods, researchers uncovered how small changes in price could unlock outsized environmental benefits.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239747

New battery recycling method comes with a side of CO2 capture Three-in-one strategy uses only carbon dioxide and water to recover 95% of lithium and reuses leftover metals, capturing CO2 in the process.

New battery recycling method comes with a side of CO2 capture.


Three-in-one strategy uses only carbon dioxide and water to recover 95% of lithium and reuses leftover metals, capturing CO2 in the process.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239736

Rainforests can rebound—but not as quickly as the climate clock is ticking. Left alone, tropical forests may recover—but experiments show that targeted nitrogen can dramatically accelerate their first ten years of regrowth and carbon storage, buying time in a warming world.

Rainforests can rebound—but not as quickly as the climate clock is ticking..
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239730

Can cities build their way out of both the housing and the climate crises? A massive global study finds cities can deliver millions of new homes without exhausting the world’s carbon budget—if they abandon carbon-intensive construction norms.

Can cities build their way out of both the housing and the climate crises?.


A massive global study finds cities can deliver millions of new homes without exhausting the world’s carbon budget—if they abandon carbon-intensive construction norms.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239717

Protecting forests is not just about biodiversity—it is now about protecting rain. New evidence suggests that conserving forests, wetlands, and soils is critical not just for biodiversity, but for sustaining the rainfall that global agriculture depends on.

Protecting forests is not just about biodiversity—it is now about protecting rain..


New evidence suggests that conserving forests, wetlands, and soils is critical not just for biodiversity, but for sustaining the rainfall that global agriculture depends on.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239681

A new cooling technology freezes food without warming the climate Researchers have built the first refrigerant-free system to reach sub-zero temperatures, a breakthrough that could reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

A new cooling technology freezes food without warming the climate.


Researchers have built the first refrigerant-free system to reach sub-zero temperatures, a breakthrough that could reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239651

Are zoos still arks—or are they becoming nursing homes? As reproduction slows and populations gray, scientists warn that many zoos are losing their capacity to function as effective conservation tools.

Are zoos still arks—or are they becoming nursing homes?.


As reproduction slows and populations gray, scientists warn that many zoos are losing their capacity to function as effective conservation tools.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239629

People like the idea of being green. But they hate being told what to do even more. A new survey suggests climate mandates could trigger a backlash even worse than COVID policies.

People like the idea of being green. But they hate being told what to do even more..


A new survey suggests climate mandates could trigger a backlash even worse than COVID policies.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239633

How seaweed farms could change the arithmetic of ocean carbon capture...for the better. New research suggests that seaweed aquaculture boosts seawater alkalinity, enabling millions—and potentially tens of millions—of tonnes of carbon dioxide removal each year.

How seaweed farms could change the arithmetic of ocean carbon capture...for the better..
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239613

Researchers turn avocado toast into biodegradable food packaging A strong yet degradable bioplastic made from avocado peels and stale bread tackles two global challenges: food waste and plastic pollution

Researchers turn avocado toast into biodegradable food packaging.


A strong yet degradable bioplastic made from avocado peels and stale bread tackles two global challenges: food waste and plastic pollution
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239601