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Environment

Climate, ecosystems, and the natural world around us. 11 answers

Humpback whale surfacing in water
Are Whales Mammals, and How Do They Nurse Underwater?

Whales are mammals that nurse underwater using hidden mammary slits, high-fat milk, short feeding dives, and milk ejected into the calf's mouth.

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Migratory birds flying across a cloudy sky
How Do Birds Find Their Way Back Every Year?

Birds navigate with the Sun, stars, magnetic fields, smells, landmarks, and memory, then use learned maps to return year after year.

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starfish, sand, sea star
Do Starfish Move? How Sea Stars Walk on Hundreds of Tiny Tube Feet

Yes, starfish move! See how sea stars use a water vascular system and hundreds of tiny tube feet to walk, grip, and even gallop across the seafloor.

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open pit mining, brown coal, bucket wheel excavators
How Long Will the World’s Oil Reserves Last? Why There’s No Simple Countdown

How long will oil last? There's no fixed date: proven reserves cover roughly 14 years, but reserves keep changing and demand may fall first.

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A polar bear on the ice
Do polar bears get a cold?

Learn why polar bears don’t get colds, how they stay warm in the Arctic, and what adaptations they have to survive freezing temperatures.

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wildfire, forest fire, fire
How do forest fires occur? What are some ways to put out forest fires?

Learn about the causes of forest fires and the methods used to extinguish them.

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A towering ocean wave
What else can cause tsunamis besides earthquakes?

Discover the hidden causes of tsunamis beyond earthquakes, including underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions, meteorite impacts, and even man-made…

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hurricane, hurricane irene, tropical cyclone
What is the difference between a typhoon and a hurricane?

Learn the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon. Discover how these powerful storms are classified and why their names vary based on location.

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hanover, freight depot, urban
What is TOD (Transit-oriented development) and what are some real example of TOD?

Discover what Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is, its benefits, and explore real-world examples like King’s Cross in London and Hudson Yards in NYC.

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wind power plant, windmill, wind power
Designing for the future: How Olympic villages embrace sustainability

Explore how Olympic Villages are built with sustainability in mind, from green materials to energy-efficient design, creating lasting legacies for host cities.

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What are the potential environmental impacts of deep-sea mining?

Discover the potential environmental impacts of deep-sea mining, a controversial practice that threatens the delicate balance of the deep ocean ecosystem.

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