Boston University

Environment & Ecology

smoke spews out of a coal power plant smokestack in an unknown location

Environment

Will SCOTUS Cripple Climate Change Remedies?

February 23, 2022

Boston's city skyline showcasing the greenery and trees in the foreground

Forest Edges

City Trees and Soil Are Sucking More Carbon Out of the Atmosphere Than Previously Thought

February 16, 2022

Image of 4 black and white pencil-style illustrations showcasing the various steps needed for ice-cutting: scraping, grooving, planing and ribbing, and sawing, calking and breaking off.

History

Tracing the History of New England’s Ice Trade

February 4, 2022

Russian conscripted soldiers board a train in uniform. Photo by Sergei Malgavko\TASS via Getty Images

Essay Collection

War? More COVID? Irreversible Climate Change? What 2022 Could Bring

January 20, 2022

photo of Randall skiing in a place called Echo Glacier. She is between a glacier and a mountain, where the ice has melted around the sides.

Climate Science

On Alaska’s Glaciers, Life Is Harsh—and So Is the Reality of Climate Change

December 13, 2021

Overhead image generated using Google Earth of the gas leaks along Comm Ave; as seen is the Charles River and Cambridgeport. The gas leaks are visualized as red lines emerging from Comm Ave; the whole street appears to have gas leaks.

Environment

From Glasgow to Comm Ave: Cutting Methane Emissions

November 3, 2021

a photo collage featuring studio photos of all 13 members of the team of Boston University researchers all posing in front of black backdrops in various poses.

Environmental Justice

This Squad of Researchers Is a Real-Life Justice League

October 27, 2021

a zoomed in photo of a spotted lanternfly resting on an open palm

Ecology

If You See a Pretty Spotted Lanternfly, Report It—Then Squash It

October 15, 2021

Collage of photos from rallies supporting fossil fuel divestment at Boston University

University News

Boston University to Divest from Fossil Fuel Industry

September 23, 2021

Early Fall view of a green BU Beach wtih the College of Arts & Sciences building in the background.

Fossil Fuel Divestment

Campus Reacts to BU’s Commitment to Divest from Fossil Fuels

September 23, 2021

View of Lake Powell in July 2021. The water level is noticeably very low. Water levels in the lake hit a historic low this summer.

Climate Science

IPCC Climate Report: In New England, Extreme Heat and Sea Level Rise Are Biggest Climate Threats

August 10, 2021

Thick haze from wildfire smoke in New England is shown hanging over the Boston skyline as viewed from Fenway Park.

Climate Science

Wildfire Smoke in New England Is “Pretty Severe from Public Health Perspective”

July 27, 2021

A photo of Dragon Man's skull

Paleoanthropology

Is “Dragon Man” a Missing Link in Human Evolution?

July 9, 2021

A photo of a beetle

Sustainable Tech

Could Technology Inspired by Beetles and Underground Fungi Solve the Water Scarcity Problem in Morocco’s Rural Villages?

June 14, 2021

Photo of Daylin Frantin, left, in a gray long-sleeve and black pants, with one hand on a boat engine, while Sam Gallipeau, Flux’s in-house designer, in a gray quarter zip, inspects the other side of the engine. Behind them are work benches and industrial shelves. A small crane lifts the engine

Innovation

Reinventing the Outboard

June 9, 2021

A photo of food shaped to look like microbes

Microbiomes

“Synthetic Ecology” Seeks to Boost Health by Engineering the Environment

May 20, 2021

A photo of a mushroom with a red head and white dots

Soil Microbiome

Why Scientists Want to Solve an Underground Mystery about Where Microbes Live

May 7, 2021

An aerial view of a forest

Climate Change

Northern Forest Fires Could Accelerate Climate Change

April 29, 2021

A photo of Mario Kart. Mario is visible in his kart holding a coin on the Rainbow Road level.

Sustainable Development

Could Mario Kart Teach Us How to Reduce World Poverty and Improve Sustainability?

April 5, 2021

Photo of large white wind turbines in a dry, flat landscape. A blue sky with small clouds are seen.

Accolades

Bill Gates Climate Change Nonprofit Gives Kudos to BU Wind Farm Project

March 26, 2021

Bill Gates Climate Change Nonprofit Gives Kudos to BU Wind Farm Project