Taking the Earth’s temperature. Discussions about climate change—its extent, its causes, and what to do about it—often hinge on what we know about our planet’s temperature history.Scientists have devised ingenious techniques to peer into our planet’s past temperature record, but the picture they give us is a blurry one. — The New Atlantis

Wikigreenia. Jimmy Wales, best known as a cofounder of Wikipedia, is now channeling some of his energy and ambition into the environmental realm, aiming to build “the world’s handbook for going green.” — Grist

Fire burns ancient sites near Peru’s Machu Picchu. A forest fire has damaged two archeological sites in the valley between the Peruvian city of Cuzco and the ancient Incan fortress of Machu Picchu. At least 600 firefighters are battling the blaze high in the Andes mountains. — Reuters

Queen Elizabeth invests in a mighty wind. England’s Queen Elizabeth II is buying what will be the largest wind turbine in the world. The Crown Estate, which manages the royal property, has agreed to purchase the turbine for an undisclosed sum. Clipper Windpower of California is building the extra-large turbine: It was originally slated to be 7.5 megawatts, but has been increased to 10 megawatts. — Matter Network