The Week: Science

Human society is on a path to self-immolation. But don't give in to despair.

Early one summer morning, as rain is misting the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a middle-aged man is courting a crane. Chris Crowe, 42, bends forward in a slight bow and then flaps his arms slowly, like wings.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

Mammoth hurricanes have become more destructive and more common. Does climate change play a role? Here's everything you need to know:

"I would say a lot of people are jealous of me. I know that sounds arrogant, but it's true."

Hurricane Florence struck the Carolinas on Thursday, moving slowly inland. By Friday morning, it had brought a 10-foot storm surge and sever flooding to parts of North Carolina. Multiple people have needed to be rescued and power companies are reporting more than 150,000 outages due to strong winds topping 90 miles per hour.

With Hurricane Florence bearing down on the Eastern seaboard, it's as good a time as any to take stock of the wondrous, warping powers of partisanship, which now touches and transforms absolutely everything in our public life.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

1. Celestron Cometron 7x50 ($35)

California may be done waiting for everyone else to get their act together on climate change.

The American West is once again on fire.