Environment

Big feet and short beaks have evolved in some hummingbirds that allow the birds to mooch nectar without helping the plant by transporting pollen. Alejandro Rico-Guevara, assistant professor of biology at the UW and curator of birds at the UW Burke Museum, is quoted.

Washington state has a unique connection to the period of time portrayed in the new Hollywood movie. Bruce Hevly, associate professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Amazon reported a slight drop in greenhouse gas emissions, but its total footprint remains millions of metric tons larger than past years, according to the company's sustainability report. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science and director of the Center for Environmental Politics at the UW, is quoted.

A new study from the UW found that persistent heat waves in the marine environment linked to climate change are leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of seabirds several months later. Julia Parrish, UW professor of biology and of aquatic and fishery sciences and director of COASST and lead author of the study, is inteviewed.

A new study from the UW found that persistent heat waves in the marine environment linked to climate change are leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of seabirds several months later. Julia Parrish, UW professor of biology and of aquatic and fishery sciences and director of COASST and lead author of the study, is inteviewed.

"The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a lavish welcome by the Biden Administration during his recently concluded U.S. visit. He spoke to the U.S. Congress, making him the sixth individual ever to address the U.S. Congress more than once...Why this courtship? For the U.S., India is critical to counter China," write the UW's Nives Dol?ak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.

As a candidate, Joe Biden called himself a climate change pioneer. He promised a green energy revolution. More renewables, way less fossil fuels, and a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. So two years in, how's he doing? Outside/In host Nate Hegyi speaks with Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, to figure out where Biden has pushed his climate agenda, where he hasn't, and whether he's an octopus or a bighorn sheep.

"Early this month, Quebec forest fires caused severe air pollution on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Although subject to some debate, many blamed climate change for these fires," write the UW's Nives Dol?ak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.

Astronomers spotted a stellar explosion in the Pinwheel Galaxy last month. Within a week, James Davenport, research assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, and his colleagues were searching the stars for radio signals from alien civilizations who might have seen the same thing.

"Does international trade undermine national security? Russia has weaponized its energy dominance to threaten European security. Might China weaponize its control over the renewable energy supply chain to pursue political objectives, such as reunification with Taiwan?" write the UW's Nives Dolsak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.

By analyzing records from the U.S. Social Security Administration, two scientists at the University of Washington and Ohio University have discovered that the popularity of certain month and season names for girls varies by geographic region in the continental United States. The name April dominates monthly names in southern states where spring arrives early in the year. June is more popular in northern states where spring blooms later. Autumn is also more prevalent in the northern U.S., a region known for its brilliant fall foliage.

As a candidate, Joe Biden ran on a climate-focused platform, promising a transition to a clean, carbon-neutral economy by 2050. But since taking office, the U.S. has doubled down on oil and gas production. Is President Biden being overly friendly to the fossil fuel industry? What gives? Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is interviewed.

Along the U.S. Pacific coast, droves of alien creatures about the size of a doughnut are washing up on beaches and leaving a mat of briefly blue debris that soon fades to a crackly white -- hiding just how bizarre these tiny animals are. Julia Parrish, UW professor of biology and of aquatic and fishery sciences and director of COASST, is quoted.

"In recent years, some climate groups have resorted to disruptive action to focus public attention on climate policy lethargy. Activists have thrown tomato soups on paintings in prominent museums, blocked trains and major highways, picketed oil terminals, and glued themselves to the floor of BMW showrooms. So, why not escalate disruption by attacking fossil fuel infrastructure?" write the UW's Nives Dolsak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.

Peter Ward, a UW professor of earth and space sciences and of biology, is an expert on one of the oldest and least understood animals on earth -- the nautilus.