EnergyOctober 30, 2020
Election Science Stakes: Energy
Scientific American senior editor Mark Fischetti and associate editor Andrea Thompson talk about this election and the future of U.S. energy research and policy.
Stories by Andrea Thompson
Andrea Thompson is senior desk editor for life science at Scientific American, covering the environment, energy and earth sciences. She has been covering these issues for nearly two decades. Prior to joining Scientific American, she was a senior writer covering climate science at Climate Central and a reporter and editor at Live Science, where she primarily covered earth science and the environment. She has moderated panels, including as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Media Zone, and appeared in radio and television interviews on major networks. She holds a graduate degree in science, health and environmental reporting from New York University, as well as a B.S. and an M.S. in atmospheric chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Follow Thompson on Bluesky @andreatweather.bsky.social
PolicyOctober 30, 2020
Seven Ways the Election Will Shape the Future of Science, Health and the Environment
Climate change, nuclear arms control, the pandemic and more will be determined by whoever wins the White House and Congress
Climate ChangeOctober 29, 2020
Election Science Stakes: Climate
Scientific American’s associate editor for sustainability Andrea Thompson talks about how climate science and policy will be affected by this election.
Natural DisastersSeptember 14, 2020
Photos Show Massive Wildfires Devastating Oregon and California
Record-setting blazes fueled in part by climate change have destroyed homes and upended live across the West
Natural DisastersAugust 26, 2020
Can Redwoods Survive the Devastating California Wildfires?
Members of one of the world’s largest and oldest tree species have likely been damaged. But they are incredibly resilient
Natural DisastersAugust 25, 2020
Storm Surge: The Science behind This Year’s Unusual Hurricane Season
Meteorologist J. Marshall Shepherd explains Hurricane Laura in the Gulf of Mexico and the ingredients for tropical cyclones
ConservationJune 19, 2020
Zoos Find Creative Ways to Cope with Coronavirus Lockdowns
The institutions are turning to various solutions, including livestreams and fundraisers, to connect with would-be visitors and continue caring for their animals
PolicyJune 5, 2020
Black Birders Call Out Racism, Say Nature Should Be for Everyone
Co-organizers of the first Black Birders Week talk about the joy of the natural world and the work outdoor-focused groups need to do to reduce racism and promote inclusion
Climate ChangeMay 8, 2020
Heat and Humidity Are Already Reaching the Limits of Human Tolerance
Events with extreme temperatures and humidity are occurring twice as often now as they were 40 years ago
PollutionApril 22, 2020
How the Environment Has Changed since the First Earth Day 50 Years Ago
These charts show that while progress has been made in some areas, humanity still has a major impact on the planet
EnergyApril 21, 2020
Rooftop Wind Power Might Take Off by Using Key Principle of Flight
A new device could open more areas to wind production by using stationary airfoils instead of twirling turbines
Natural DisastersApril 16, 2020
What Happens When Other Disasters Hit during a Pandemic?
Emergency management experts are concerned about everything from evacuations to public messaging
Climate ChangeMarch 24, 2020
Paris Climate Agreement Architects Make a Case for “Stubborn Optimism”
It is possible for the world to cut emissions enough to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. But tenacious belief will be needed to achieve that goal
Climate ChangeMarch 4, 2020
Yes, Climate Change Did Influence Australia’s Unprecedented Bushfires
Such an extreme fire season is at least 30 percent more likely because of global warming, a new analysis finds
Natural DisastersJanuary 14, 2020
Will Taal Volcano Explosively Erupt? Here’s What Scientists Are Watching
The seismic rumblings of the Philippines’ second most active volcano hold clues to what it might do
EnvironmentJanuary 8, 2020
Australia’s Bushfires Have Likely Devastated Wildlife—and the Impact Will Only Get Worse
The large, intense fires have threatened more than 800 million animals in the state of New South Wales alone, according to one estimate
Climate ChangeDecember 23, 2019
What Happens to White Christmases as the World Warms?
Although more winter precipitation will fall as rain because of climate change, don’t say goodbye to snow just yet
PolicyDecember 18, 2019
Switching to Renewables Can Hurt Vulnerable Groups—Unless Utilities Plan Ahead
Charging more for electricity during peak hours could strain finances and negatively affect health for some disadvantaged populations
Natural DisastersDecember 10, 2019
New Zealand Eruption: The Inherent Risk in Visiting Volcanoes
The event shows that even geologically minor eruptions can endanger people
Climate ChangeNovember 1, 2019
Warming Will Cost Rich and Poor Countries Alike
Limiting global temperature rise will substantially reduce the economic toll of climate change
Public HealthSeptember 28, 2019
Kicking Climate Change: Wins for Health, the Economy and Security
Former EPA administrator Gina McCarthy talks with Scientific American’s Andrea Thompson about the widespread benefits of taking action against climate change.
Climate ChangeSeptember 23, 2019
Are We at a Climate Change Turning Point? Obama’s EPA Chief Thinks So
Gina McCarthy talks about the intersection of climate and health and the Trump administration’s environmental rollbacks
PollutionAugust 14, 2019
Airborne Plastic Is Blowing All the Way to the Arctic
Tiny plastic particles have turned up in samples of Arctic snow, pointing to their ubiquity in the environment
Space & PhysicsAugust 7, 2019
Medicine in Space: What Microgravity Can Tell Us about Human Health
Astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor discusses her experience in microgravity and doing biological experiments in space