Kids News - Environment Articles

Every fall, Americans buy tens of millions of pumpkins for Halloween. Some are transformed into jack-o'-lanterns, while others are left whole for display. Sadly, interest in these festive gourds fades quickly once the holiday ends. Experts estimate that 80 percent of the over 1.3 billion pounds (5.8 billion kg) of pumpkins purchased every year end up in the trash....

Just in time for the season, Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center in Nahant, Massachusetts, has unveiled a lobster with Halloween colors. Aptly named Jack O’Lantern, or Jackie, she sports a mix of orange, black, and yellow, with hints of blue on her joints. This American female lobster, introduced to the public on October 9, 2025, is an exceptionally rare find. Sierra Munoz, the center’s outreach coordinator, says only one in 30 million lobsters has this color....

Scientists in Florida have turned to an unusual tool in the fight against invasive Burmese pythons — remotely-controlled robotic rabbits....

Methane is usually linked to global warming. But far below the ocean’s surface, three newly discovered sea spider species have found a way to use this greenhouse gas as a survival tool....

Every October, farmers across the US harvest millions of pumpkins. Some transform into delicious soups or pies, while others become spooky jack-o'-lanterns. A select few, however, are grown just for weigh-off competitions. There are numerous such contests held around the country. But the biggest gourds usually end up at the "Super Bowl" of pumpkin weigh-offs in Half Moon Bay, CA....

India, like many countries, faces ongoing challenges with poverty and plastic waste. As of 2023, about 5 percent of its population — roughly 73 million people — lived below the $3.00 per day poverty line. The country also produces nearly 29,000 tons of plastic daily. Much of it ends up in landfills. A small cafe in the central Indian city of Ambikapur has found a unique way to tackle both problems....

Climate change poses a serious threat to the Antarctic ecosystem. As temperatures continue to rise, sea ice is shrinking. This makes it harder for wildlife like seabirds, seals, and whales to find food, rest, or raise their young. Now, scientists may have found a surprising ally in their efforts to protect the continent — penguin poop....

With their broad green leaves floating lightly on the water, Victoria water lilies may look fragile. But these plants can hold hundreds of pounds. To highlight this strength, the team at Denver Botanic Gardens began sharing videos on social media. They showed just how much weight their lilies could hold....

Earth’s atmosphere holds billions of gallons of water vapor. If captured, it could supply clean drinking water to over 2.2 billion people who do not have reliable access. Now, MIT scientists have built a device that can pull water from the air — even in some of the driest places on Earth....