Climate
What Is the Ozone Layer, and Why Does It Matter?
High above the clouds sits an invisible shield of gas that makes life on land possible by blocking the Sun’s most dangerous rays. The ozone layer is also one of the great environmental success stories. Here is what it is and why it matters.
What Is the Water Cycle, and How Does It Work?
The water in your glass has fallen as rain, sat in ancient oceans, and drifted through clouds countless times. The water cycle is the vast, sun-powered engine that keeps recycling it. Here is how it works.
What Is the Jet Stream, and Why It Matters
High above the clouds, a river of wind races around the planet at highway speeds and faster. It decides whether your week is stormy or calm, and whether your flight home is an hour early or late. Here is what the jet stream is.
What Is El Niño, and How Does It Work?
A patch of the Pacific warming by a degree or two can dry out Australia, soak parts of South America, and nudge up the whole planet’s temperature. That patch has a name: El Nino. Here is how it works.