As a journalist, Gabriella Sotelo covers the environment, climate change, and agriculture. She has a bachelor's in Journalism/Environmental Studies from NYU. Plastic has become ubiquitous in the ...

Cactus leather is a bio-based material lauded for its breathability, an area in which other vegan leathers fall short. This unique material is used for handbags, shoes, apparel, and furniture.

Monocropping (or monoculture) is the planting of a single crop in the same patch of land year after year. For example, in 2020, two crops—corn (maize) and soybean—accounted for 70% of the ...

Public health crisis exposed Michigan city to lead and bacteria for years. Katherine Gallagher is a writer and sustainability expert. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Chapman University ...

Palm oil is a versatile vegetable oil that's ubiquitous in cosmetics and personal care products as well as packaged foods, cleaning products, and even biofuel. Making up a third of the global oil ...

It is possible to recycle large electronic appliances, even those full of unpleasant chemicals, like refrigerators or air conditioners. It’s also highly preferable to the alternative, which can ...

David Kuchta, Ph.D. has 10 years of experience in gardening and has read widely in environmental history and the energy transition. An environmental activist since the 1970s, he is also a ...

Haley Mast is a freelance writer, fact-checker, and small organic farmer in the Columbia River Gorge. She enjoys gardening, reporting on environmental topics, and spending her time outside ...

Synthetic clothing consists of a blend of different textiles. Synthetic materials have been around since the mid-twentieth century and have become the most used fibers over the past few decades.

Solar lights absorb the sun’s energy during the day and store it in a battery that can generate light once darkness falls. Like solar panels used to generate electricity, solar lights use ...

Throughout history, representations of luxury and wealth have dominated the fashion industry. As a result, many materials now mimic extravagance but at a fraction of the cost by using different ...

Built with earth-based materials, these colorful domes were constructed with the help of local residents looking to revive their local economy. Haley Mast is a freelance writer, fact-checker, and ...