Policy
Jared Diamond’s New Book Upheaval Looks at Lessons to Be Found from Countries in Crisis
Fixing a problem first requires recognizing that it exists
Policy16715 articles archived since 1845
Policy
Readers Respond to the March 2019 Issue
Letters to the editor from the March 2019 issue of Scientific American
Policy
In Case You Missed It
Top news from around the world
See More Teams
It’s just so easy to let moments of personal glory overshadow the collaborative marvels that made them possible
Policy
Scientist Encourages Other Women Scientists to Make Themselves Heard
Geneticist Natalie Telis noticed few women asking questions at scientific conferences. So she publicized the problem and set about to make a change. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Policy
Discrimination Drives LGBT+ Scientists to Think About Quitting
Despite progress, many physical scientists from sexual and gender minorities experience exclusion or harassment at work, finds UK survey
Climate Change
Second Democratic Debate Highlights Divergence on Green New Deal
Climate change once again received relatively little attention on the debate stage
Policy
Democrats Divided on “Medicare for All” in First Debate
Senator Elizabeth Warren and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio were the only candidates in the first night in favor of eliminating private insurance
Climate Change
Climate Comes Up at Democratic Debate but with Few New Details
The brief mentions were not enough to satisfy environmentalists pushing for a climate-focused debate
Space & Physics
The New Scramble for the Moon
A new race could be heating up to claim valuable moon terrain amid uncertain laws
Policy
How the Numbers on the EPA’s New Climate Rule Stack Up
The rule will have little impact on emissions and provides only modest cuts to other harmful pollutants
Energy
Trump Administration Relaxes Emissions Limits on Power Plants
A new rule for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allows states to set their own limits on carbon-emission levels
Scientific Research Shouldn’t Sit behind a Paywall
The public pays taxes to support research; they should be able to access the results
Policy
Flood Insurance Program Increasingly Underwater as Payouts Shatter Records
Louisiana and Texas accounted for half the money paid out by the National Flood Insurance Program since 1973
Environment
Solving Our Plastic Problem
At Scientific American 's third Science on the Hill event, experts from academia and the private sector met at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill to talk with Scientific American editor-in-chief Mariette DiChristina about solutions to our plethora-of-plastics problem...
Where Are All the Working Mothers in STEM?
Unfortunately, career vs. family is too often still seen as an either/or choice.
Environment
Proposed Energy Efficiency Rules Could Slow Emissions Reductions
More efficient appliances and stricter building codes have driven significant declines in U.S. emissions to date
Policy
Big Changes Needed to Fight Harassment, Group Tells US Biomedical Agency
Advisory panel says US National Institutes of Health should treat sexual harassment more seriously and do more to help affected researchers
Public Health
You Contain Multitudes of Microplastics
People appear to consume between 74,000 and 121,000 microplastic particles annually, and that's probably a gross underestimate.
Policy
Hopes for Cutting Carbon Do Not Yet Match Reality
Prices on carbon are not strict enough to make significant dents in emissions
