Matt Simon
About Matt Simon
Matt is a science writer for WIRED magazine
This critical Arctic organism is now infested with microplastics
The algae Melosira arctica is the foundation of the food chain, and its contamination could have major consequences for ecosystems and the climate.
Hey, EV owners — it pays to give back to the grid
If you agree to provide some of your car’s battery power in times of high energy demand, you’ll get paid, and help make the grid more stable.
Tiny aerosols present a big challenge for global warming
Fossil fuels are rapidly heating the planet, but their aerosols also help cool it. Just how much, though, is a major uncertainty in climate science.
War is an environmental disaster — but Ukraine can build back greener
Russia’s invasion is reversing years of environmental progress. But the world can help Ukraine reconstruct its damaged landscape and energy systems.
The Mediterranean Sea is so hot, it’s forming CO2-belching crystals
In the rapidly warming Eastern Mediterranean, water stratifies into layers, like a cake. That’s allowing carbon-spewing crystals to form.
Lawns are silly, but ripping them up may come with a catch
Meticulous turf is environmentally terrible. Yet grass does have one charm: It “sweats,” helping cool the local area.
Wildfire smoke is bad for you. Now think about the cows
As climate change supercharges blazes, livestock and wildlife are suffering from smoke inhalation.
The Nightmare Politics and Sticky Science of Hacking the Climate
Spraying aerosols and sucking carbon out of the air would bring down temperatures, yes. But the unintended consequences of geoengineering could be enormous.
U.S. can halve its emissions by 2030 — if it wants
The economics are clear: Renewables are cheap enough for the country to rapidly decarbonize. Less evident is the political will to pull it off.
Extreme heat is a disease for cities. Let’s treat it that way
The “urban heat island effect” creates extra-hot temperatures that kill. But cities can prescribe powerful treatments, like green spaces and reflective roofs.