June 10, 2016 5:22 PM EDT
Yesterday, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its annual forecast for the size of the Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” – an area of coastal water where low oxygen is lethal to marine life. They say we should expect an “average year.” That doesn’t sound so bad, but as we wrote last year, the dead zone average is approximately 6,000 square miles, or the size of the state of Connecticut. Average is not normal. Read more >
September 11, 2015 2:26 PM EDT
We live in an era of big data, where anyone with access to a computer has loads of scientific treasures at their fingertips. Yet all too often, these amazing resources find themselves with oh-so-small audiences. I know, I know… not everyone gets as excited about data as I do. But, with the keys to many of our biggest challenges out there to discover, we need more hands on deck. Read more >
July 2, 2015 1:25 PM EDT
Have any summer vacation plans that include swimming, fishing, or walks on the beach? If so, lucky you. But, if you’re headed to the East Coast, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, or any number of our nation’s lovely ocean or lake escapes around late July, plan carefully and watch out for toxic and dead zones! Read more >
January 18, 2013 12:01 PM EDT
The ongoing Midwest drought has had many repercussions. They include the fact that the Mississippi River—sometimes called “The Big Muddy”—is muddier than usual this year, causing problems and massive anxiety about shipping on the river. Read more >
