Matt Simon
About Matt Simon
Matt is a science writer for WIRED magazine
Space laser reveals just how catastrophic sea level rise will be
Scientists calculate that by 2100, over 400 million people could live in low-lying, at-risk areas — and that's a conservative estimate.
A zombie fire outbreak may be growing in the North
“Overwintering” fires smoulder under the snow, reigniting vegetation in the spring. New research shows the zombies may proliferate in a warmer world.
Nature can save us from climate doom — but not on its own
By restoring ecosystems, conservationists can help the land sequester carbon. But it's still no substitute for drastically cutting emissions.
Plastic rain is falling from the sky. But where's it coming from?
At any given time, 1,100 tons of microplastic are floating over the western U.S. New modelling shows the surprising sources of the nefarious pollutant.
More Arctic lightning is a peril for the planet
Lightning strikes in the far north could double by 2100. That means more wildfires, which could release massive amounts of planet-warming gas.
How solar panel-covered canals can save water and energy
Scientists in California just ran the numbers on what would happen if their state slapped solar panels on 4,000 miles of its canals, including the major California Aqueduct, and the results point to a potentially beautiful partnership.
How carbon-eating machines could help tackle the climate emergency
Facilities that suck carbon dioxide out of the air could be powerful weapons for fighting climate change. But their deployment requires a huge, wartime-style investment.
The ongoing collapse of the world's aquifers
When humans over-exploit underground water supplies, the ground collapses like a huge empty water bottle. It's called subsidence, and it could affect 1.6 billion people by 2040.
How scientists saved rare seeds from Syria's war — and are now helping to feed the world
Conflict forced scientists to abandon a gene bank, but not before duplicating their last remnants of essential crops in the Svalbard vault on a remote Arctic island.
How a Depression-era jobs program could help the U.S. tackle climate change
If the U.S. brought back the Great Depression’s massive worker program, it could put millions of Americans back to work — and help stave off disasters like wildfires.