Science

Pesticides 101: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Pesticides 101: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Pesticides have been used, in one way or another, for thousands of years to protect crops against invasive species, fungi and other “pests.”   While there are organic options, chemical pesticides are commonly used, with industrial agriculture relying heavily on it for their crops. However, as many studies and literature over the decades have shown, […]

Join our newsletter

The best of EcoWatch, right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!

    Study Finds Evidence That Tropical Deforestation Stops the Rain

    Study Finds Evidence That Tropical Deforestation Stops the Rain

    Even as miners, loggers and ranchers fell them at record rates, scientists are still learning about all the things that forests do to keep the local and global climate comfortable and stable.  Most recently, they have provided “compelling evidence” for the first time for a link between deforestation and rainfall decline across the tropics as […]

    <strong>More Than 90 Scientists Write Open Letter Encouraging Study of Geoengineering to Cool Planet</strong>

    More Than 90 Scientists Write Open Letter Encouraging Study of Geoengineering to Cool Planet

    More than 90 scientists from around the world have written an open letter recommending that research be done on the potential of increasing solar radiation modification (SRM) — the reflection of sunlight away from Earth’s atmosphere, sometimes referred to as “solar geoengineering” — in order to slow planetary warming and lessen climate impacts. The scientists […]

    <strong>If Your Strawberries Taste Bland, Pesticides May Be to Blame</strong>

    If Your Strawberries Taste Bland, Pesticides May Be to Blame

    If you’ve ever bitten into a juicy, red strawberry only to find that it was watery and somewhat flavorless, certain pesticides could be to blame. In a recent study, scientists found that two common fungicides used on strawberries — boscalid (BOS) and difenoconazole (DIF) — can affect the fruit’s cellular mechanisms and mute its sweetness […]

    U.S. Averages One Chemical Accident Every Two Days, Analysis Finds

    U.S. Averages One Chemical Accident Every Two Days, Analysis Finds

    From spills to fires at industrial facilities to the recent train derailment in Ohio, it seems chemical accidents are making the news more and more. But it’s not just your imagination — a map by the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters shows that chemical accidents are happening at a rate of one every two days […]

    Could Solar Geoengineering Trigger War?

    Could Solar Geoengineering Trigger War?

    Alongside drought, famine, and climatic destabilization, you can add war to the list of potential (un)intended consequences of geoengineering, the Washington Post reports. As fossil-fueled climate changes continue to exacerbate drought, extreme heatwaves, and other disasters, so grows the incentive for governments to use geoengineering to block the sun or change rainfall patterns, despite the inevitable impacts outside their borders.

    Scientists Identify Plastic as New Threat to Andean Condors in Protected Areas

    Scientists Identify Plastic as New Threat to Andean Condors in Protected Areas

    Plastic is everywhere and now, scientists have confirmed plastic as a new threat to Andean condors even in protected areas of Peru. Research revealed high amounts of plastic in the diets and the regurgitated pellets of these birds. Researchers were studying Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) feeding interactions in Peru when they noticed that samples from […]

    9 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Orchids

    9 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Orchids

    If you’ve ever cared for an orchid, you know that they’re pretty special. From their practically microscopic seeds, to their tasty seed pods, to their worldwide range, these flowering beauties are nothing short of amazing. Here are a few things you probably didn’t know about them.  1. They Are the Largest Family of Flowering Plants  […]