What will be the impact of India’s rice-export ban?
The country’s decision to take 10m tonnes of rice off the global export market in an attempt to curb domestic inflation has raised fears of shortages and further increases in food prices around the world. In early July, after extreme rainfall wiped out paddy fields in India, government officials banned...
Current in Change
4ocean cleans up record-breaking 30 million pounds of ocean plastic
4ocean has set the world record for most trash collected from our oceans by a single organisation – a whopping 30 million pounds and counting. To celebrate this achievement, let’s take a detailed look at the organisation's journey. You’d be hard pressed to find a beach that doesn’t have...
Study finds living near green spaces reduces biological age
People living near green spaces are 2.5 years biologically younger than those who do not, according to new research conducted by a Spanish and American research team. We all have our reservations about ageing, but new research is showing that the secret to staying young might not be purchasing expensive skincare...
Is the US military a blind spot for the country’s emissions?
In the global fight against climate change, the role of the US military’s contributions to global emissions is a critical but often overlooked aspect that demands closer attention. The US military’s formidable presence in various conflicts and humanitarian missions has made it a key player in shaping international geopolitics. Its...
Understanding Uganda’s TotalEnergies’ lawsuit
Ugandan activists are legally fighting TotalEnergies, the French multinational oil and gas company. This lawsuit shines a spotlight on the human rights and environmental concerns surrounding the company’s operations in Uganda. Uganda has become an attractive destination for multinational corporations seeking to exploit its abundance of resources. This rush for...
Exclusive – How Tap Social is helping prison rehabilitation
Tap Social is a unique and thriving social enterprise in the heart of Oxford, combining craft beer with prison rehabilitation. Walking into the Market Tap, you would not have guessed that this warm and lively venue opened just two months earlier. Located in the centre of Oxford’s Covered Market, Tap’s newest...
Egg whites could be the solution to clean water in the future
Microplastic pollution and increased scarcity are the two largest threats to freshwater sources globally. A team of researchers at Princeton University have found a solution to both of these problems in an unsuspecting candidate – egg whites. Not to freak anyone out, but recent studies are finding that humans accidentally consume around 5 grams of microplastics per week. It’s both worrying and sad, but it’s true. Most of these particles...
Artificial grass a huge contributor to marine plastic pollution crisis
A recent study has uncovered that tiny plastic fibres used to produce AstroTurf often wind up in water bodies close to major cities, posing a substantial threat to ocean ecology. AstroTurf (AT) is a surfacing material that simulates natural grass by using synthetic, primarily plastic, fibres in different shapes, sizes, and properties. Though it’s most often used to line sports fields, today it shapes many urban landscapes, from private lawns to...
Climate change is altering the colour of our oceans
As climate change continues to throw marine ecosystems out of balance, MIT research shows that the colour of our oceans are physically changing. When we talk about natural wonders of the world, we typically associate rich colour with health and vitality – particularly with fauna and flora. In the case of our oceans, however, the aesthetically pleasing ‘deep blue sea’ generally means organic life isn’t overly prosperous. Despite being markedly less...
Evidence of diverse organic material has been found on Mars
NASA has announced it has discovered evidence of ‘diverse organic matter’ in the Jezero Crater on planet Mars. This area is believed to be the site of an ancient lake, which may have been vital to supporting previous life on the planet. Ah, the age-old question: is there – or was there ever – life on other planets? At some point or another, each of us will find ourselves experiencing an...
