Scientists fear that carbon sinks are failing
Together, the planet’s oceans, forests, and soils absorb about half of all human emissions. As the Earth heats up, many are concerned that this crucial natural process – which regulates temperatures – is breaking down. The planet’s oceans, forests, and soils play a critical role in the survival of humanity,...
Current in Planet
The Gold Rush destroying Ghana’s agriculture
In recent years, Ghana has been grappling with a crisis that is endangering its land, water and future economy. ‘Galamsey,’ illegal small-scale mining is a growing epidemic, with devastating effects on the environment. Galamsey, derived from the phrase ‘gather them and sell,’ refers to the widespread practice of illegal...
The race to discover and protect Earth’s hidden plants
Scientists warn that thousands of potentially life-saving plants may vanish due to extinction before they can be documented or protected. In a world obsessed with technological innovations and scientific breakthroughs, many of Earth’s natural ecosystems have been taken for granted. A new study led by Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens suggests...
I hosted the Live On the Frontlines climate film screening event
Organised in response to recurring climate-related disasters affecting the globe, the Live On The Frontlines event aimed to shed light on the lives impacted by these issues and explore sustainable solutions through a blend of film screenings, panel discussions, and community engagement. Kenya’s Kisumu city, situated on the shores of...
Can renewables end South Africa’s ‘load shedding’ blackouts?
Despite two decades of rolling blackouts and national energy scandals, stimulation in the renewables sector might just be the turning point for Africa’s most developed economy. South Africa is in the throws of an energy crisis which has been unfolding for almost twenty years now. The country's national electricity grid, which...
What has been learned from Greenland’s major landslide?
A major landslide in Greenland triggered a massive tsunami, generating seismic vibrations never seen before. These vibrations reverberated across the Earth for nine days, underscoring the alarming effects of climate change on the region’s geological stability. Last September, scientists worldwide detected a seismic signal that lasted for nine days leading...
what if we were all a bit more wonderous?
I often think about the joys of seeing the natural world through the eyes of a child and whether this could incentivise us adults to treat it with more care and appreciation. When was the last time you went for a walk? I’m not talking about getting from A to B, or strolling through city streets with your headphones in, but really losing yourself to the natural world as you put...
Are we adapting radically enough to climate change?
According to a new study comparing how sensitive societies are to extreme weather now versus 50 years ago, humanity may be no better prepared for the impacts of climate change today than in the 1970s. Considering that hundreds of the world’s leading climate scientists expect our planet to breach the internationally agreed 1.5C threshold by 2027 and temperatures to rise to at least 2.5C above pre-industrial levels this century, you’d assume we’d...
India named as the country producing the most plastic
Recent research published in Nature has revealed that the world’s second-most populous nation is contributing to a staggering one-fifth of all plastic production across the globe. The amount of plastic that India produces has reached alarming proportions, surpassing all other nations globally. According to recent research published in Nature, the country is responsible for approximately 20 per cent of all the world’s plastic waste. This figure not only...
Sharks are vacating struggling reefs as oceans heat up
As ocean temperatures rise, sharks are starting to abandon degraded coral reefs. Researchers warn that this shift could have devastating effects on both endangered shark populations and the survival of the reefs. As the climate crisis intensifies and ocean temperatures rise, sharks are leaving their coral reef habitats for the open ocean. New research has documented this behavioural shift, which scientists say poses serious threats both to endangered sharks and to...
