The Aliso Canyon leak, finally plugged on February 11, vented 100,000 tons of methane into the atmosphere - a climate impact equivalent to the annual emissions of half a million cars, say scientists.
This year's intense El Niño - added to our warming climate - is prolonging what's already the longest global coral die-off on record, according to scientists.
Two fossil flowers, found perfectly preserved in amber, came from an asterid group that ultimately gave rise to some of the world’s most famous poisons.