Dharna Noor, Author at Gizmodo

Australian Robots Are Exploring the Deep Sea to Study Marine Snow

Where I live, it’s too warm out for a white Christmas. But in the deep ocean, it’s always snowing. I’m talking about marine snow, or flakes of biological debris like dirt, dead phytoplankton and algae, and even bits of fecal matter that shower down from higher waters. So festive! As off-putting as this snow may…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 24

Will Biden’s EPA Take On Wood Burning?

Last week, President-elect Joe Biden nominated Michael Regan, who now heads North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. One of the top issues he grappled with in North Carolina could also be prominent at the EPA as the Biden administration tries to reduce carbon emissions: burning wood for energy,…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 23

New Blue Whale Population Discovered After Scientists Hear Unknown Song

Do you ever hear a new song and realize it’s unlike anything you’ve heard before? I felt that a few times this year, mostly with Phoebe Bridgers and Polo G. It happened to scientists recently, too. But it wasn’t a new singer or rapper they discovered; it’s a new population of whales. In a study published…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 22

California’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Is Increasing Again

After five consecutive years of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, California saw an increase in its planet-warming pollution. That’s according to a new report from the nonprofit Next 10 and research firm Beacon Economics. The analysis shows that California could get back on track with climate policy by investing in a green stimulus. It also contains…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 22

Hawaii’s Kīlauea Volcano Erupts for First Time Since 2018’s Destructive Rampage

In Hawaii, this cursed year is going out with even more horror. The volcano Kīlauea on the state’s Big Island erupted Sunday night. In a statement at 9:30 that evening local time, the United States Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said “an eruption has commenced” within the volcano’s summit caldera. It began with a “glow…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 21

Some Tropical Forests in Brazil Are Already Releasing More Carbon Than They Absorb

For years, climate scientists have been sounding the alarm about the increasing likelihood that the Amazon rainforest, now one of the biggest absorbers of carbon in the world, could actually become a source of carbon within just 15 years. New research shows that for some other kinds of tropical forests nearby, that’s already happening. That’s…

Climate Change Dharna Noor Dec 18

Don’t Rinse the Beef

This week, a young woman posted a TikTok singing the praises of washing fat off some cooked ground beef. Cooked, ground beef. In a fine mesh strainer. Under the faucet. Exactly the way no one does. The video sent internet into an extremely dumb but infectious rage, wherein all of Twitter came to the defense…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 18

The Federal Government Spends More on Fire Prevention in Rich, White Neighborhoods

This year, California’s record-breaking fires caused untold suffering and destruction, and future wildfire seasons are expected to be even worse. New findings show that poorer communities of color aren’t receiving as much funding to prepare for future fires as their wealthier, white counterparts. The new research, published by environmental research group Resources for the Future…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 17

The World’s First Death Attributed to Air Pollution Could Spark the Change We Need

In a groundbreaking decision on Wednesday, a UK court ruled that polluted air was a contributing factor to the 9-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah’s untimely, tragic passing in 2013. She is the first person in the world to have a death certificate that lists air pollution as a cause of death. The declaration could reverberate around the…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 17

Buildings Are Becoming a Huge Source of Carbon Pollution

Carbon emissions from buildings reached an all-time high, according to a new United Nations report. In 2019, buildings were responsible for 9.95 gigatons of carbon—up from 9.7 gigatons in 2018—accounting for 38% of the world’s output of the planet-warming gas. The report, put out by the UN Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction on Wednesday,…

Climate Change Dharna Noor Dec 16

We Already Have the Technology to Decarbonize U.S. Electricity

It’ll take a lot to transition the U.S. off fossil-based energy: money, political will, labor. But a new report shows it won’t take new technological innovation. The study, published in the journal Joule last week, shows U.S. electricity demand can be met with currently available carbon-free tech, like solar panels and wind turbines. And we…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 15

The Biggest Climate Wins of 2020

Somehow, not everything was bad this year. Don’t get me wrong, 2020 was terrible. Covid-19 caused unprecedented suffering around the world, hitting the environmentally exploited communities the hardest. It also interlocked all kinds of other crises, like poverty and climate disasters. The oil industry went belly up, but even that’s not worth celebrating, because so…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 15

The Majority of Wild Edible Plants in the U.S. Are Endangered

All of our crops have naturally-occurring predecessors that are found in the wild. But that may not be the case for long. A new study found that those OG edible plants are doing badly. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Monday, show that 96% of wild relatives of…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 14

FEMA Wants to Cut Disaster Aid at the Worst Possible Time

The U.S. saw a horrific hurricane season, unprecedented wildfires, and a powerful derecho this year alone. A record-breaking 16 climate disasters caused at least $1 billion in damage each. And yet the Federal Emergency Management Agency is pursuing a plan that would cut disaster aid to certain states. On Monday, Trump’s FEMA proposed substantial changes…

Climate Change Dharna Noor Dec 14

Photo: Trond Larsen/Conservation International

Scientists Just Dropped a Bunch of New Animals

There are some 8.7 million known species on Earth. But it’s always exciting to know when scientists find some mysterious creature they didn’t know existed or rediscover one not seen in ages. When it comes to biodiversity, more is a good thing. And I know this is silly, but honestly, bonus points if they’re cute,…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 14

Scientists Are Investigating How the Quiet Of Covid-19 Affects the Ocean

The impact of covid-19 lockdowns on wildlife living on land has been clear, but emerging research shows the quiet has extended to the oceans, too. Five researchers discussed their preliminary findings at a virtually-held meeting at the American Geophysical Union’s annual conference on Wednesday. The decrease in activity has given researchers an unprecedented chance to…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 9

Trump’s EPA Throws Polluters One More Giant, Toxic Bone on the Way Out

Pollution kills some 200,000 Americans every year, since exposure to toxins makes people more vulnerable to respiratory and heart diseases, cancers, and other illnesses. But the Trump administration has finalized a rule to base pollution restrictions on cost, not on human safety. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler formally announced a rule change at the…

Environmental Justice Dharna Noor Dec 9

The World Will Be Nearly 6 Degrees Hotter Unless It Invests in a Green Recovery

A new United Nations report—yeah, another one—warns that the world is on track to exceed the level of global warming laid out in the Paris Agreement. But a green recovery plan to handle the fallout of the covid-19 pandemic could significantly improve our future odds of survival. Since the beginning of widespread industrial development, the…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 9

A Massive Elephant Herd Has ‘Taken Everyone by Surprise’ in Its Return to Virunga National Park

In a rare sign that not everything is terrible, elephants are returning to Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1980, the lush 3,000-square-mile (7,770-square-kilometer) park was home to an estimated 8,000 elephants. Yet in recent years, the area has seen an increased presence of rebel militia groups that poach the…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 8

Five of 2020’s Top Climate Grifters

Amid the life-threateningly urgent climate crisis, it’s bad enough to pollute the planet with greenhouse gases. But to add insult to injury, some of the people and firms responsible for that pollution have tried to dress themselves up as climate heroes. You know the type: the ones who spent 2020 hiding behind gentle, Earth-friendly language to…

Earther Dharna Noor Dec 8

Dharna Noor

Australian Robots Are Exploring the Deep Sea to Study Marine Snow

Will Biden’s EPA Take On Wood Burning?

New Blue Whale Population Discovered After Scientists Hear Unknown Song

California’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Is Increasing Again

Hawaii’s Kīlauea Volcano Erupts for First Time Since 2018’s Destructive Rampage

Some Tropical Forests in Brazil Are Already Releasing More Carbon Than They Absorb

Don’t Rinse the Beef

The Federal Government Spends More on Fire Prevention in Rich, White Neighborhoods

The World’s First Death Attributed to Air Pollution Could Spark the Change We Need

Buildings Are Becoming a Huge Source of Carbon Pollution

We Already Have the Technology to Decarbonize U.S. Electricity

The Biggest Climate Wins of 2020

The Majority of Wild Edible Plants in the U.S. Are Endangered

FEMA Wants to Cut Disaster Aid at the Worst Possible Time

Scientists Just Dropped a Bunch of New Animals

Scientists Are Investigating How the Quiet Of Covid-19 Affects the Ocean

Trump’s EPA Throws Polluters One More Giant, Toxic Bone on the Way Out

The World Will Be Nearly 6 Degrees Hotter Unless It Invests in a Green Recovery

A Massive Elephant Herd Has ‘Taken Everyone by Surprise’ in Its Return to Virunga National Park

Five of 2020’s Top Climate Grifters

‘Secret Wars’ Is More Than Just an ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Sequel

The ‘Street Fighter’ Movie Knows What It Is

Trump, When Asked About White House Meeting with Anthropic’s Dario Amodei: ‘Who?’

‘The Batman, Part II’ Has Finally Found Two-Face’s Dad

TotalAV Keeps Prices Low While Covering the Basics of Online Protection

RAM Shortage Expected to Continue Into Next Year or Later

Marvel Studios’ Former Art Staff Discuss ‘Shortsighted’ Layoffs

Amazon Delivery Drones Involve a Perilous 10-Foot Drop. Users Are Posting the Apparent Results

Organ Transplants Without Lifelong Meds? New Trial Shows It’s Possible

The AI Doomers Who Are Playing With Fire

Alienware’s $350 QD-OLED Gaming Monitor Nixes Everything for a Pretty Screen

Sony Inzone H6 Air Review: A Perfect Case for Open-Back Gaming Headsets

Anker’s EufyMake E1 Finally Brings Printers Out of the Dark Ages

The Soundboks Mix Is Going to Make You the Most Popular Guy at the Park

Asus Zenbook A16 Review: Start Considering Snapdragon on PC, for Real

Aqara Thermostat Hub W200 Review: Almost Better than My Ecobee

HP Omen Max 45L Review: 4K60 Gaming Has Never Been So Easy

Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni Review: Window Cleaning Robots Have a Long Way to Go

AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Which ANC Headphones Win?

The Best Gadgets of March 2026