Kristin Toussaint

Throwing fermented grape skins on icy roads could help cut down our salt use

We currently use between 20 and 27 million tons of salt to keep our roads clear every winter—and its not good for the environment or our cars.

Throwing fermented grape skins on icy roads could help cut down our salt use

Global fossil fuel emissions just hit a record high

Even with some environmental strides, like a decrease in coal emissions, we’re on track to put more CO2 than ever into our atmosphere.

Global fossil fuel emissions just hit a record high

What if we gave half the planet entirely back to nature?

The “Half Earth” movement wants to set aside 50% of the world for nature conservation. The only problem is the people who already live there.

What if we gave half the planet entirely back to nature?

This MIT climate solutions simulator lets you design the perfect plan to end the climate crisis

Want to know if we can solve the climate crisis by shutting down all coal plants by 2025? What’s the right price for carbon? This simulator that you can run right on your laptop lets you craft your own climate policy.

This MIT climate solutions simulator lets you design the perfect plan to end the climate crisis

This nonprofit rating service measures effectiveness so you can make the most of Giving Tuesday

Whether it’s a food program or a tree-planting organization or a nonprofit to help the homeless, ImpactMatters identifies the right metrics of success for each individual type of charity.

This nonprofit rating service measures effectiveness so you can make the most of Giving Tuesday

This world map rates countries by the sustainability of their food systems

Food systems are going to need to be resilient to withstand climate change’s effects on agriculture. Looking at 20 factors, researchers now have a big picture about which countries are most under threat.

This world map rates countries by the sustainability of their food systems

MIT scientists have figured out how to make plants grow in soil that should be too salty for plants

By covering seeds in a combination of silk and bacteria, plants can create their own fertilizer and grow in places that otherwise couldn’t support agriculture.

MIT scientists have figured out how to make plants grow in soil that should be too salty for plants

Flash funding: the growing trend of large gifts that fund tons of crowdfunding campaigns at once

Do these big gifts signal a more equitable future for crowdfunding, since they take emotional connection out of the decision-making process?

Flash funding: the growing trend of large gifts that fund tons of crowdfunding campaigns at once

If you want to live in this new Arizona neighborhood, you can’t own a car

Culdesac, the U.S.’s first, from-scratch car-free neighborhood is coming to Tempe in 2020.

If you want to live in this new Arizona neighborhood, you can’t own a car

New York is flooding its subway stations to better prepare for climate change

This flooded subway entrance is a test of how ready New York is for the next superstorm.

New York is flooding its subway stations to better prepare for climate change

Chinese EV startup Byton is bringing an electric SUV to the U.S.

The M-Byte electric SUV will cost around $45,000 and will be available in 2021.

Chinese EV startup Byton is bringing an electric SUV to the U.S.

These 5 innovative projects are building worker power

From raising gig worker salaries to improving conditions for construction workers, these are the five projects funded by the Workers Lab 2019 Innovation Fund.

These 5 innovative projects are building worker power

The next XPrize wants to catalog the riches of the rainforest before it’s too late

If you can develop a technology to scan a section of rainforest to develop a “comprehensive biodiversity assessment,” you could win $5 million.

The next XPrize wants to catalog the riches of the rainforest before it’s too late

The beef industry wants you to think that it has a ‘minimal’ environmental impact (it does not)

As people cut back on their red meat consumption, the U.S. beef industry is trying to counteract the narrative that cows are bad for the environment by saying it’s making major strides (true) and that it’s not actually emitting that much (less true).

The beef industry wants you to think that it has a ‘minimal’ environmental impact (it does not)

Nespresso just spent $1.2 million to fix a problem it created by existing

The coffee pod company is investing the money to help New York City’s recycling centers better recycle their coffee capsules (and, to be fair, a lot of other small pieces of metal)

Nespresso just spent $1.2 million to fix a problem it created by existing

The boldest Democratic climate plan gets just a C+ on this report card

Is any candidate treating the climate like the crisis it is?

The boldest Democratic climate plan gets just a C+ on this report card

These electric cars will project a sound that . . . makes plants happy?

As regulations require electric cars to make noise, Uruguay’s Toyota division is experimenting with a sound they hope stimulates plant growth, so each time you drive without gas, you’re giving the environment an extra boost. The science might be tenuous, but it does sound nice.

These electric cars will project a sound that . . . makes plants happy?

A new lifeline for cancer patients comes from astronauts in space

There are notable similarities between how spaceflight affects astronauts and how cancer treatment affects cancer patients. Now doctors are using NASA wellness protocols to help patients on Earth recover.

A new lifeline for cancer patients comes from astronauts in space

If bacteria don’t kill you the old-fashioned way, they’ll just kill you with climate change instead

As Earth warms up, bacteria will start producing more CO2, creating a deadly climate change feedback loop.

If bacteria don’t kill you the old-fashioned way, they’ll just kill you with climate change instead

Here’s where we should put our renewables to get the biggest carbon benefit

A wind turbine in India makes a much bigger difference than a wind turbine in the U.S. We should adjust our investments accordingly.

Here’s where we should put our renewables to get the biggest carbon benefit

Impact

Throwing fermented grape skins on icy roads could help cut down our salt use

More than 700 major corporations say they will set science-based targets to cut emissions

Now small brands compete with Amazon by offering sustainable same-day delivery

Creativity

Here’s how to get your Spotify Wrapped 2019—and My Decade Wrapped

President Trump’s catty European trip turned world leaders into Mean Girls

Giphy’s top gifs of the year show how gifs helped us escape in 2019

Co.Design

Pantone’s 2020 color of the year is the new black

The first crystal-clear eraser will delight young and old designers alike

The best designer-made holiday cards to send before it’s too late

Work Life

Does a company really care about diversity and inclusion? Here’s how to tell

How to make your holiday toast more memorable

How to find someone to mentor on LinkedIn