How to Build a City That Doesn’t Flood? Turn it Into a Sponge City
Cities encourage potentially devastating floods by laying down asphalt and pavement. Could this be avoided by making them "spongier" and more absorbent?
Rat Wars, Radiation Leaks, and Other Dirty Secrets
This week in sustainability news: rats v. kiwis, radiation links in midcentury Soviet Union, and an American town with no running water.
The Problem With Algae Bloom
Climate change is a wild card that seems to be exacerbating conditions that can lead to Harmful Algae Blooms.
America’s Imperiled Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater mussels were once found in astonishing numbers and diversity in North America. Then came the button fanciers, and then the pearl-makers.
The Story Behind “The Parisian Water-Carrier”
Who was the "Parisian water-carrier" depicted in 18th century French sculptor Edme Bouchardon's sketches and how did he earn his living?
The Clash Over Water in Waukesha, Wisconsin
A town that once thrived on tourism around its famed natural springs is seeking water from faraway Lake Michigan.
Can Bacteria Improve the Water We Drink?
Municipal water treatment just got easier, cheaper, and more efficient. And it's all thanks to an unlikely helper: bacteria.
Our Oceans Are Suffocating
The oceans can’t catch a break. To rising temperatures and acidification caused by rising CO2 emissions, add oxygen deprivation .
Suggested Readings: Brain Maps, Water Dangers, and Rejecting Self-Esteem
Extra Credit: Our pick of stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. Brought to you each Tuesday from the editors of JSTO
Before Flint: How Ancient Civilizations Maintained Their Drinking Water
Ancient civilizations utilized various creative strategies to supply their populations with usable and drinkable water.