For Earth Day, 7 Inspiring Reads

For the past 53 years, April 22 has been Earth Day. It began as a call to regenerate the polluted environment and began to focus on climate change.

Because we cover daily news and events that affect our planet, we compiled this list of articles which we hope will inspire, surprise and entertain you. It is incomplete. To keep up with everything we’re doing, consider signing up for our twice-weekly newsletter, Climate Forward.

1. This is how one couple fought for the ‘wild’ yard, and finally changed the law of the country.

As global warming intensifies droughts, floods and wildfires, Agee Smith has become one of many ranchers, scientists and other “beaver believers” who see creatures not only as helpers, but as furry weapons resistant to climate.

Mr. Smith’s father, Horace Smith, blew up many beaver dams in his lifetime. But working with beavers can help conserve precious water and rejuvenate land damaged by climate change. As long as you don’t dynamite their homes.

It’s War. Then, A Rancher’s Ceasefire With Some Pesky Beavers Paid Off.

It is a lesson in how to coexist with other species, many of which are in danger due to the loss of biodiversity.

In August, scientists published a paper examining what might happen if a “megastorm” were to hit California. In January, the country has been hit by many atmospheric rivers, although not as much as the paper suggests. But it is a reminder of how a warmer planet is one of more extreme weather and raises questions about whether our approach to storms is crippling to the challenge of 21st century climate threats.

4. The majestic monsoon touches almost a quarter of humanity. And it changes in dangerous ways.

The rainy season in South Asia is a fascinating time, captured over the centuries in poetry, film, popular music and everyday life. But now, climate change is making the seasons more dangerous and unpredictable.

We captured the beauty and danger in the journey across the region. Along the way, we discover incredible stories – including a group of rural schoolchildren who helped run an innovative early warning system.

5. A surprising solution: How to bury carbon dioxide in concrete blocks.

Large buildings are a large source of emissions. To fix that, one company in New York City wants to take carbon dioxide at the source, liquefy it and bury it in concrete blocks as pictured above. In fact, it has done so.

If that seems like a circuitous way to reduce emissions, that’s because it is. However, it turns out that some of the more obvious ways to reduce emissions, such as replacing gas and oil for cleaner electric heating, can be an expensive and logistical challenge.

This is all in response to the new climate law sweeping New York City, which requires buildings to reduce emissions or face fines. The city became a laboratory of diversity, forcing change and innovation as property owners struggled to avoid large penalties.

Look, in the sea. It’s a snack. It’s a lump. It’s seaweed.

Seaweed has long gone beyond its traditional place as a delicacy in Asian cuisine.

Scientists and entrepreneurs are experimenting with seaweed-based plastic substitutes. They are investigating the potential to pull carbon dioxide from the air. And they’re feeding it to cows to make people burp less planet-warming methane.

But there is a big question. For example, can seaweed thrive in a hot world?

Bill McKibben published his first book more than 20 years before Xiye Bastida was born. But as a climate leader, he agrees that “for activists to have hope is the most important thing.” The Times spoke with two people this year.

Ask your climate question here, on Earth Day or any day.

Climate change is a big topic that can be hard to wrap your head around. We’ve collected answers to big and small climate questions and also listed new questions to answer.