In the age of Kindles and chain bookstores, some of these towns are vehemently opposed to e-readers and brand-name booksellers.

From a moose to a tick, from a coyote to a cockroach, author Rachel Levin walks us through what to do in her book, "Look Big."

Finland, the world's most literate nation, rings in its 100th birthday with the opening of Oodi Helsinki Central Library.

The author wrote most of 'The Lorax' while visiting an ecosystem inhabited by orange, mustachioed patas monkeys.

Nancy Striniste, a landscape designer and educator, has written a book, "Nature Play at Home," and launched a movement around creating natural play spaces.

Animal emotions can be surprisingly similar to ours, primatologist Frans de Waal explains in a new book, especially in our fellow mammals.

This easy-to-navigate, French-speaking metropolis has plenty of outdoor activities and shopping. Did we mention the food?

North America's oil powerhouse also has some serious environmental cred.

Nurtured by the oil industry, this city has an impressive environmental presence.

If you've got the cash to spare, visit this low-lying Indian Ocean paradise before rising sea levels swallow it up.

Although only 22 miles away from L.A., Catalina is a completely different world.

Indulge your inner Tarzan (or Jane) in the wild areas surrounding the city, or take in more civilized affairs like farmers markets and bike trails.

Juneau is Alaska's unassuming capital city. Since it is located on the state's southern panhandle, it is influenced by the weather patterns of the Pacific Ocean

Malaysia's Penang Island is one of the most unique places to travel in Southeast Asia. As a beach destination, it pales in comparison to the region's best stret

The city of Auckland sits at the center of the largest metropolitan area in New Zealand. The nation is probably best known for its tradition of shepherding, for

Bali is one of the most famous island tourist destinations in the world. This Indonesian isle's idyllic beaches, endless surf, easygoing population and exotic c

A famous harbor and other natural attractions make this former victim of Rust Belt decay an ideal East Coast destination.

Taipei is the economic and cultural heart of Taiwan. Like other major metropolises in the Asia-Pacific region, it is a bustling place with decidedly urban lands

Cartagena, Colombia's Caribbean port city, might not enjoy the name recognition of Bogota or even Medellin, but it has many of the features of a bona fide mains

Sardinia's true magic, especially from a nature-lover’s perspective, is its interior and its less-accessible sections of coastline.

The Portuguese city of Lisbon has been a hub for culture, commerce and exploration for centuries. The well-kept remnants of its colorful past make it an interes

This up-and-coming destination is cheaper than its counterparts in Western Europe but no less attractive in terms of beauty, affordability and sustainability.

I've been covering the Great Pacific Garbage Patch for the past year or so and just wrote about it here on MNN last week.

This time-lapse video explores a full day at the checkout lanes of a Walmart store in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Leading coral reef ecologist Jeremy Jackson speaks at TED about the havoc humanity is wreaking on the ocean.

Most disasters lie outside human control, but some of the world’s most devastating events have been caused by humans.

Watch Van Jones as he lays out the case against plastic pollution from a social justice perspective.

Can devoting 20 minutes a day to a green project make big eco-friendly waves? One oceans activist shows how a little time can make a big difference.

At long last, Method is set to release the world's first soap container — or any sort of container, for that matter — made partially from plastic trash reco

Earth now has five or six major ocean garbage patches, and new research suggests they'll continue growing for 'at least the next thousand years.'

Marine debris is transformed into art for a new exhibit at the Anchorage Museum, offering an eerie look at Earth's plastic problem.

There's a secret world of microbes hidden on the plastic littering the oceans.

Earth's oceans now contain 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash, according to the most thorough survey of its kind.

The Indian Ocean is the world's biggest plastic dumping ground, but some of it is leaking elsewhere.

Euthanasia rates have dropped dramatically at animal shelters across the U.S.

From bully sticks and rawhide to deer antlers and cow hooves, which natural dog chews are OK for your dog?

Many cats form bonds with their humans, just like babies do with their parents.

We've gone doodle dog crazy. Did you know there are dozens of these hypoallergenic mixes? Learn surprising facts about Schnoodles, Whoodles and doodles. Oh My!

Blue-green algae in lakes can be fatal to dogs that ingest it while playing in the water.

Is there such a thing as natural diet soda? Matt Hickman feels your pain, you calorie-counting caffeine-heads.

Got California rolls from the grocery stores for a healthy lunch? Check to see if your meal's rolled with high fructose corn syrup.

See how many calories you're drinking, thanks to a clever visualization from Eat This, Not That. Then help make the bad-for-you drinks less easy on the wallet.

Fewer manufacturers are using high fructose corn syrup in their products, but they aren’t making them less sweet.

A muffin with the same amont of calories as ten chocolate donuts? A pretzel with more saturated fat than a Big Mac? Read it and weep.

Two moms are suing General Mills over the use of the term 'natural' to market its Nature Valley products. Do lawsuits like this create any change?

These organic, gluten-free, and naturally dyed candy canes were a lifesaver for this mom.

According to a new report, children who eat a bowl of children's cereal each day could be eating up to 10 pounds of added sugar a year.

In 'Allowed to Grow Old,' photographer Isa Leshko captures dignified portraits of elderly farm animals in sanctuaries.

These simple ways can help you say 'no' to capitalism and make the world a better place.

Directions to emergency shelters are displayed on digital billboards across the Swedish capital when temps get dangerously cold.