Anthropocene Magazine

Is climate persuasion a fool’s errand? Climate psychology has come a long way. And it has a long way to go.

Is climate persuasion a fool’s errand?.

Climate psychology has come a long way. And it has a long way to go.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/03/is-c...

Innovative device converts car exhaust to electricity Wrapped around a car's tailpipe, the device could harness waste heat to produce enough electricity to at least charge a phone

Innovative device converts car exhaust to electricity.

Wrapped around a car's tailpipe, the device could harness waste heat to produce enough electricity to at least charge a phone
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/03/inno...

Are organic apples better for the soil? Study challenges assumptions. Researchers found only minor microbial differences between organic and conventional soils, suggesting that individual farming techniques, not labels, drive ecological outcomes.

Are organic apples better for the soil? Study challenges assumptions..


Researchers found only minor microbial differences between organic and conventional soils, suggesting that individual farming techniques, not labels, drive ecological outcomes.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239196

The space station is the ultimate industrial environment—cut off from the natural world. And that’s not healthy. Astronauts swabbed more than 800 spots on the International Space Station; their samples contained just 6% of the spectrum of microbial life.

The space station is the ultimate industrial environment—cut off from the natural world. And that’s not healthy..
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/03/the-...

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This concrete could turn your house into a battery The amount of concrete that goes into an average American home's basement wall could hold enough energy to meet the daily needs of the household.

This concrete could turn your house into a battery.


The amount of concrete that goes into a a American home's basement wall could hold enough energy to meet the daily needs of the household.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239185

Anesthesia has a greenhouse gas problem. A few tweaks could give the climate some breathing room Good news from a new study: New protocols could cut emissions associated with surgical anesthesia in half—with no adverse effects on patient outcomes

Anesthesia has a greenhouse gas problem. A few tweaks could give the climate some breathing room.

Good news from a new study: New protocols could cut emissions associated with surgical anesthesia in half—with no adverse effects on patient outcomes
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/03/anes...

Ocean microbes may be developing taste for plastic pollution New research finds bacteria in more than 75% of global ocean samples equipped with enzymes that can break down PET—the plastic used in bottles.

Ocean microbes may be developing taste for plastic pollution.


New research finds bacteria in more than 75% of global ocean samples equipped with enzymes that can break down PET—the plastic used in bottles.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239180

Your future airplane flight could be powered by everything you throw away Fuel made from trash and food waste can't entirely replace conventional jet fuel—but it could take a big bite out of airlines’ carbon emissions

Your future airplane flight could be powered by everything you throw away.


Fuel made from trash and food waste can't entirely replace conventional jet fuel—but it could take a big bite out of airlines’ carbon emissions
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239169

Can the world farm more seafood with less impact? A new study says the answer is yes. But the best-case scenario sits on a knife-edge of three factors: Location, location, location.

Can the world farm more seafood with less impact?.

A new study says the answer is yes. But the best-case scenario sits on a knife-edge of three factors: Location, location, location.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/can-...

Natural rock weathering captures carbon over millennia. Chemists just reduced it to weeks. By firing rock dust in standard cement kilns, they altered the mineral's chemistry so that it quickly react with carbon dioxide in the air.

Natural rock weathering captures carbon over millennia. Chemists just reduced it to weeks..

By firing rock dust in standard cement kilns, they altered the mineral's chemistry so that it quickly react with carbon dioxide in the air.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/natu...

First global study of the extraordinary role of animals as architects of Earth Researchers calculated that creatures large and small rival the landscape reshaping power of half a million major floods each year.

First global study of the extraordinary role of animals as architects of Earth.

Researchers calculated that creatures large and small rival the landscape reshaping power of half a million major floods each year.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/firs...

The economic impact of plant-based diets: fewer jobs, lower costs, and big climate benefits The global move toward sustainable eating could save $100 billion annually in farm costs—but at a steep human cost in rural jobs.

A greener diet, a leaner workforce .


The global move toward sustainable eating could save $100 billion annually in farm costs—but at a steep human cost in rural jobs.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239145

A packaging quandary: Plastic may have less environmental impact than alternatives Plastic is lightweight and uses relatively little material, so in the big picture it crushes the competition

A packaging quandary: Plastic may have less environmental impact than alternatives.

Plastic is lightweight and uses relatively little material, so in the big picture it crushes the competition
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/the-...

Scientists develop energy-free cooling paint that produces potable water A nanoengineered roof coating reflects 97% of sunlight, condenses dew, and could help fight heat and drought in climate-stressed regions worldwide.

Scientists develop energy-free cooling paint that produces potable water.


A nanoengineered roof coating reflects 97% of sunlight, condenses dew, and could help fight heat and drought in climate-stressed regions worldwide.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239139

Researchers engineer crops to pluck more CO2 from the air and amp up photosynthesis Tinkering with the enzyme Rubisco, they created plants that respond to rising levels of atmospheric CO2 with increased photosynthesis—and higher yields.

Researchers engineer crops to pluck more CO2 from the air and amp up photosynthesis.

Tinkering with the enzyme Rubisco, they created plants that respond to rising levels of atmospheric CO2 with increased photosynthesis—and higher yields.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/rese...

The fiber optic cables delivering your Netflix might help monitor endangered species Scientists in Washington state are testing whether these sensitive cables can be used to detect sounds of endangered orcas.

The fiber optic cables delivering your Netflix might help monitor endangered species.


Scientists in Washington state are testing whether these sensitive cables can be used to detect sounds of endangered orcas.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=238990

Looks like science, lies like propaganda. Inside a new wave of climate misinformation An AI analysis shows that climate deniers increasingly use charts, data visuals, and academic design to appear trustworthy. Researchers warn that fact-checking alone can’t counter the power of these deceptive aesthetics.

Looks like science, lies like propaganda. Inside a new wave of climate misinformation.


An AI analysis shows that climate deniers increasingly use charts, data visuals, and academic design to appear trustworthy.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239125

On an overheating planet, which comes first: the chicken or the egg? A fresh look at the paradox from a carbon perspective

On an overheating planet, which comes first: the chicken or the egg?.

A fresh look at the paradox from a carbon perspective
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/on-a...

Conserving land in wealthy countries may be making things worse somewhere else. Researchers provide a detailed account of how “biodiversity leakage” happens—and how to tackle the often overlooked problem.

Conserving land in wealthy countries may be making things worse somewhere else..

Researchers provide a detailed account of how “biodiversity leakage” happens—and how to tackle the often overlooked problem.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/cons...

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A surprising predictor of low household carbon footprints: Communities that value purity A new study finds that a community’s collective moral compass is an even stronger determinant of carbon emissions than politics.

A surprising predictor of low household carbon footprints: Communities that value purity.

A new study finds that a community’s collective moral compass is an even stronger determinant of carbon emissions than politics.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/a-su...

Study paints a future picture of climate-resilient UK crops: chickpeas, oranges, and even okra While the portrait that emerges from the unprecedented mapping exercise seems positive at first, on closer inspection it is far more nuanced.

Study paints a future picture of climate-resilient UK crops: chickpeas, oranges, and even okra.

While the portrait that emerges from the unprecedented mapping exercise seems positive at first, on closer inspection it is far more nuanced.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/stud...

A 42-year experiment reveals the surprising persistence of carbon in retired farmland soils New research turns an old assumption on its head. Retired farmlands, researchers discovered, were a carbon sink, not a source.

A 42-year experiment reveals the surprising persistence of carbon in retired farmland soils.


New research turns an old assumption on its head. Retired farmlands, researchers discovered, were a carbon sink, not a source.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239061

Engineers turn dirty water into clean hydrogen New Princeton research shows that reclaimed wastewater can replace purified water in hydrogen production, cutting treatment costs by 47%.

Engineers turn dirty water into clean hydrogen.


New Princeton research shows that reclaimed wastewater can replace purified water in hydrogen production, cutting treatment costs by 47%.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=239053

Large-scale recycling of modern textiles is now in sight Fast fashion creates mountains of polyester-cotton textile waste—a new recycling method that separates and recycles the two materials could be what the industry needs.

Large-scale recycling of modern textiles is now in sight.

Fast fashion creates mountains of polyester-cotton textile waste—a new recycling method that separates and recycles the two materials could be what the industry needs.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/larg...

Animals' "landscape of fear" gets weird when people enter the equation Despite the risk of becoming roadkill, squirrels act like it's safer closer to noisy roads.

Animals' "landscape of fear" gets weird when people enter the equation.


Despite the risk of becoming roadkill, squirrels act like it's safer closer to noisy roads.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=238985

That sustainable Valentines chocolate might not be as sweet for biodiversity as you think. A new study finds that cocoa farms certified as sustainable did not harbor more species than plantations. But they did earn more money.

That sustainable Valentines chocolate might not be as sweet for biodiversity as you think..

A new study finds that cocoa farms certified as sustainable did not harbor more species than plantations. But they did earn more money.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/that...

New study finds that people listen to—and follow—expert climate advice Even when climate advice gets complicated and counterintuitive, people seem to pay attention.

New study finds that people listen to—and follow—expert climate advice.

Even when climate advice gets complicated and counterintuitive, people seem to pay attention.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/02/new-...

Fixing Hydropower’s Deadly Spin Cycle Dams are great for the climate but fatal for some fish. Here’s how that could change.

Fixing Hydropower’s Deadly Spin Cycle.

Dams are great for the climate but fatal for some fish. Here’s how that could change.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/05/fixi...