By Jeannette Cwienk With the pandemic, many people have been vacationing closer to home, bringing down the carbon cost of getting away. And even those covering long distances are increasingly trying to reduce their environmental impact — perhaps by taking the train instead of flying. But sometimes what looks like an eco-friendly choice isn’t as […]
In the Great Smoky Mountains, people are traveling and waiting until dusk to get a glimpse of what some have claimed is a life-changing experience: watching a rare, synchronous firefly light show. “I thought it was a somewhat life-changing event,” Rocky Fork park manager Tim Pharis said to WJHL. “I wait all year long for […]
Happening just after the “supermoon, red blood moon, lunar eclipse” last month, astronomy lovers can get excited for another celestial event on June 10 — the “ring of fire” solar eclipse. Those living in northern and eastern sections of North America will be able to witness the eclipse as it overlaps with the sunrise, according […]
Love flying but feel guilty about the air pollution and carbon emissions that airplanes produce? Sometimes, simple solutions to big problems float right above our heads — literally. A UK blimp company has developed a new environmentally friendly airship for commercial flights. If it replaces airplanes on short, inter-city routes, the updated technology will reduce […]
By Michael Childers If you’re headed out into the wild this summer, you may need to jump online and book a reservation before you go. For the second consecutive year, reservations are required to visit Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Glacier national parks. Other popular sites, including Maine’s Acadia National Park, encourage visitors to buy entrance […]
After a year of learning from behind a screen, it’s time for some outdoor play this summer. It’s widely accepted that spending time in nature has unparalleled benefits for children; kids who play outdoors are happier, more attentive, and less anxious than those who spend more time indoors. Being in nature builds confidence and creativity, […]
By Kelly Heber Dunning As summer approaches, reports of the return of leisure travel are beginning to emerge following the unprecedented shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic. Many of the world’s most popular tourism destinations have begun to plan an eventual reopening, exploring what their “new normal” will look like. The COVID-19 pandemic caused most of […]
On May 10, 1996, an unexpected storm engulfed the summit of Mt. Everest, killing eight climbers. At the time, it was the deadliest disaster in the mountain’s history. Twenty-five years later, scientists and the mountaineering community are still taking steps toward safer expeditions. But with the climate crisis taking its own toll on the mountain, […]
The coronavirus has isolated many of us in our homes this year. We’ve been forced to slow down a little, maybe looking out our windows, becoming more in tune with the rhythms of our yards. Perhaps we’ve begun to notice more, like the birds hopping around in the bushes out back, wondering (maybe for the […]