Policy & Ethics
Biden Promises to Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 50 Percent by 2030
The goal sets a high bar for other countries attending today’s global climate summit
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Conservation
The Deepest Dive to Find the Secrets of the Whales
On Earth Day, Scientific American sits down with National Geographic underwater photographer Brian Skerry to talk about free diving with whales and filming the giant mammals within five meters or less...
Policy & Ethics
Science Policy Can’t Be Simply about Science
As early-career researchers, we argue that it also has to prioritize justice and social equity
Public Health
India’s Massive COVID Surge Puzzles Scientists
The virus is spreading faster than ever before in the country despite previous high infection rates in megacities, which should have conferred some protection
EARTH
A Healthy Environment as a Human Right
U.N. recognition would strengthen legal arguments for preserving nature
Cognition
What It’s Like to Have Face Blindness during the Pandemic
Before COVID, I would often be embarrassed when I didn’t recognize someone while walking my dog. Not now
Climate
Biden’s Climate Summit Will Be an International Chess Match
Leading experts assess what they see as the likely moves
Space
China Is Set to Launch First Module of Massive Space Station
The new orbiting laboratory will host research from Chinese and international scientists
Computing
Algorithm Virtually Unfolds a Historical Letter without Unsealing It
In the centuries before envelopes, “letterlocking” secured a message’s information
Behavior & Society
Why Are Police Using a World War I–Era Chemical Weapon on Civilians?
Most people think tear gas is relatively harmless, but we know very little about its long-term effects on human health and the environment
