How can we make the world a better place? This is a question many people have asked throughout the ages, with many different answers. For this week's Earthy Thursday we look at those who are trying to create a more sustainable future—either by advancing new technology that's greener and more efficient or by utilizing nature's own solutions—alongside a few other choice stories about humanity's intersections with the natural world.
Most of us may know Los Angeles as a smoggy urban sprawl but the city's government's looking to change all of that. This story from grist talks about how L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti is looking to reduce the city's environmental impact and clean it up significantly by 2035.
Ocean acidification is a major issue facing our planet right now but this report from NOAA suggests that fighting it could be as easy as growing more seaweed. Follow the link to learn how kelp aquaculture could help keep our oceans healthy.
Speaking of oceans it's not every day that a whale drops by to check you out. But that's just what happened when a sperm whale unexpectedly approached a remote camera scientists on the Exploration Vehicle Nautilus were using to record underwater footage, providing an unusual (and rare) look at the marine mammal. Watch the video here.
Most farmers will tell you soil chemistry is everything. But is it? New research suggests that soil biology is just as important: look after the organisms in your soil and they'll look after your plants.
Lastly, here's a promising green energy source: waves. While everyone's getting excited about wind and solar, this article at Ecologist points out that ocean waves are actually more reliable and potentially more lucrative, making it an attractive source of power.