Articles about environment

Meet the ‘technological optimist’ helping set Washington state’s tech, energy, and climate policy

State Sen. Sharon Shewmake is taking over as chair of the Senate’s Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, a wide-ranging clearinghouse… Read More

Microsoft screenshot showing satellite image of Hurricane Harvey with prompts from Earth Copilot

Microsoft collaborates with NASA on Earth Copilot, an AI guide to our planet’s data

Microsoft and NASA have joined forces to develop Earth Copilot, a software tool that uses artificial intelligence and cloud computing… Read More

Teens who grew up together are now helping grow trees with their climate-focused productivity app

Two high schoolers who became friends while living in the Seattle area are now long-distance collaborators on an app designed… Read More

Environmental groups target Amazon’s climate efforts with Prime Day protest at Seattle HQ

Environmental protesters in Seattle seized on Amazon’s annual Prime Day sales event on Tuesday to once again call out the… Read More

Antarctic ozone hole visualized through climate data

Climate science mission led by University of Washington wins backing from NASA

NASA has selected four proposals for climate science missions, including an effort led by a University of Washington researcher, to… Read More

Techstars Seattle startup Planette raises $2.4M for AI-boosted climate prediction tech

Planette, a climate tech startup that just graduated from Techstars Seattle’s latest accelerator, has raised $2.4 million. Planette’s AI-boosted technology… Read More

AI2 and Microsoft use satellite images plus artificial intelligence to monitor the planet

Geospatial data analysis promises to revolutionize the way agriculture, urban planning and disaster relief is done — and thanks to… Read More

Large graffiti painted on street outside Amazon’s Seattle HQ targets company as ‘Prime polluter’

Story updated with comment from Amazon. Amazon and CEO Andy Jassy were the targets of a large graffiti message painted… Read More

Carbon removal startup Nori lays off 10 employees, citing market concerns

Nori, a Seattle startup that sells carbon credits to individuals and businesses to offset carbon emissions, laid off 10 employees… Read More

How do you recycle plastic? Startups and scientists are trying to make it easier

Each week, Ridwell workers fan neighborhoods in six cities around the country picking up canvas sacks stuffed with plastic bags… Read More

Amazon ‘Pledge Passport’ trademark filing hints at plans for new online climate community

Amazon has applied for a trademark on the phrase “Pledge Passport,” with a description that hints at plans for a… Read More

Microsoft Chief Environmental Officer Lucas Joppa departing to take role at private equity firm

Lucas Joppa, who became Microsoft’s first chief environmental officer in 2018 and led the company’s sustainability efforts, is stepping down.… Read More

Microsoft launches Climate Research Initiative to collaborate on climate change challenges

Microsoft is launching a new research initiative aimed at fighting climate change, the company announced Wednesday. The Microsoft Climate Research… Read More

In unusually close votes, Amazon shareholders send messages on exec pay, labor, and environment

New numbers reveal an undercurrent of Amazon shareholder opposition to the company’s board and management on issues including executive pay,… Read More

Kelp need help: Paul Allen’s foundation, enviros and entrepreneurs step up to save an essential seaweed

Kelp is cool. Some varieties of the ribbony seaweed can grow up to two feet a day. They form “marine… Read More

New aerial video shows Microsoft’s progress on massive HQ revamp

Microsoft released a new video Wednesday that shows the latest progress on a multi-year redevelopment project reshaping a large swath… Read More

Toyota invests in Nori, a carbon removal startup trying to help reverse climate change

Nori, a Seattle startup that sells carbon credits to individuals and businesses to offset carbon emissions, raised $7 million in… Read More

Flush with cash: Bezos and big-name celebs get behind tree-free toilet paper startup with $5M

The news: Cloud Paper, the Seattle startup that makes toilet paper and paper towels from bamboo in an effort to… Read More

Maritime Blue wins $500,000 for cleaner transportation as finalist in tech challenge

Maritime Blue, a Washington state public-private coalition focusing on environmentally friendly technologies for the maritime industry, has been awarded $500,000… Read More

Podcast

What we’re most thankful for in tech, science, business, and innovation

This was a week when many of us in the U.S. paused to reflect and give thanks. We’re keeping the… Read More

Amazon’s new packaging for cold and frozen food is made from layers of recyclable paper

Amazon is taking plastic liners, bubble bags, and some of the consumer guilt out of grocery deliveries. The company says… Read More

Jeff Bezos says he’s spending more on his Earth Fund than on Blue Origin space shots

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture has been getting a lot of press lately, but the Amazon founder and chairman… Read More

Armed with a paddle and a GoPro, entrepreneur aims to create ‘Street View’ of Puget Sound

We’ve all indulged in a little voyeuristic spying and exploration using Google Maps’ Street View, peering at homes and other… Read More

Timothy Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson in "Dune"

How the ‘Dune’ science-fiction saga parallels the real science of Oregon’s dunes

The deserts of Abu Dhabi and Jordan play starring roles in the blockbuster sci-fi movie “Dune,” which premieres this week… Read More

Bezos Earth Fund highlights climate justice in $200M round of grants and pledges

The Bezos Earth Fund today announced $203.7 million in grants and pledges aimed at advancing climate justice, supporting climate-oriented economic… Read More

Climate solution or corporate greenwashing? Tech taps farmers to help offset carbon footprint

Five years ago, David Gruenbaum abandoned dairy farming and a conventional method of growing vegetables that relied on tilling large… Read More

Bill Gates shares 3 steps to a clean energy economy in message to Leaders Summit on Climate

Bill Gates joined day two of President Joe Biden’s virtual “Leaders Summit on Climate” on Friday with a message to… Read More

‘Second Nature’: How technology is remaking our world, for better or worse

This is a bad time for Mother Nature — but it’s no use trying to turn the clock back. Instead,… Read More

Allen Institute for AI takes over Vulcan’s portfolio of environmental big-data projects

Two and a half years after the death of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, his legacy in science and philanthropy is… Read More

Bill Gates and Amazon join $80M funding round for Turntide electric motor venture

Turntide Technologies, a Silicon Valley venture that’s retooling electric motors for the 21st century, says it has completed an $80… Read More