What are nanoplastics and why have scientists sounded the alarm?
A potentially much more nefarious and less understood threat than microplastics has health experts concerned after scientists uncovered a link between tiny particles of polyester and changes in brain proteins associated with Parkinson’s disease and certain types of dementia. Just when you thought our plastic pollution problem couldn’t get any...
Current in Change
Half of all alcohol companies market to Gen Z by using ‘healthy’ buzzwords
Low calorie, low sugar, and gluten-free labels on pre-mixed alcoholic beverages are attempts to lure health-conscious young people into drinking, a research team in Australia says after analysing the labels of 491 different beverages. If your health is declining, the first thing you’ll likely be told to do is...
Pledges to loss and damage fund fall short at COP28
The wealthy countries most responsible for the climate crisis have so far contributed a combined total of just over $700m. This is nowhere near enough to help the world’s most vulnerable nations cope with the damage caused by slow onset disasters and extreme weather events. Day one of COP28 saw...
A UK museum has reclassified a Roman emperor as a trans woman
The decision highlights a museum’s responsibility to constantly question expected truths. The North Hertfordshire Museum isn’t necessarily a well-known institution. Located in a quaint town hall in the south of England, the galleries fade in the shadow of major British cultural spaces. But this small historical museum has put itself firmly...
Egypt’s soilless farming revolution is underway
In the arid landscapes of Egypt, where the Nile River has long been the lifeline for agriculture, a groundbreaking agricultural revolution is taking root, soilless farming. In recent years, Egypt has been increasingly thwarted by water scarcity. The Nile, which has been the nation’s primary source of water for...
The escalating threat of deep sea mining
A recent study using jellyfish unmasks the danger that looms behind the deep-sea mining industry, emphasising the importance of protecting marine ecosystems and sustainable practices. Located deep within the seabeds of the vast oceans are metallic nodules that have piqued the interest of many countries. The minerals contained within these deposits...
Zimbabwe declares state of emergency as cholera outbreak worsens
In response to a rapidly escalating cholera outbreak, the government of Zimbabwe has declared a state of emergency, acknowledging the severity of the crisis that has claimed lives and left thousands grappling with the debilitating effects of the waterborne disease. Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection spread through contaminated water and food, has overwhelmed Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, posing a significant threat to public health. The outbreak, which was initially reported...
Our playbook guide to deceptive fossil fuel practices: part one
When it comes to the insidious techniques that the industry is using to greenwash its image, undermine climate negotiations, and delay progress, there are many. Here, we break down astroturfing and corporate personhood, highlighting how they relate to this year’s COP28 summit. ‘What’s the point of our climate summits if they’re being undermined by a shadow network of fossil fuel lobbying?’ This question, asked by a campaigner to...
78% of carbon capture projects linked to oil and gas production
The vast majority of carbon capture projects that currently turn a profit are reportedly contributing directly to the production of oil. Sigh. The phrase ‘one step forward, two steps back’ feels particularly apt when delving into the inner workings of carbon capture – in its current form, anyway. Despite a global consensus that decarbonisation technology is required to remain within the remit of net zero targets, paradoxically 78% of carbon...
Navigating the complex ties between the US and China
As the world's two largest economies and major global powers, the U.S. and China's interactions have intrinsically influenced the trajectory of international relations. But what exactly does their relationship entail? The relationship between the United States and China is complex and multifaceted with both among the most influential economic and military powers. Rooted in a competition that spans a range of domains, both nations continually vie for strategic advantages and global...
