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,...
Current in Planet
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...
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...
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...
Houthi attacks in Red Sea raise alarm over potential major oil spill
The Houthi attack on the Greek-flagged tanker ‘Sounion’ in the Red Sea has sparked serious concerns about a potential catastrophic oil spill with widespread environmental and economic impacts. Last year marked the beginning of turmoil in the Red Sea with the Yemeni Houthi rebels dragging the region into limbo...
Is the UK government being indecisive with arms sales to Israel?
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announces a suspension of arms sales to Israel following the Palestine V Israel conflict. He states that this was ‘not an arms embargo’ – but there was a ‘clear risk’ of UK weaponry being used for violations to international law. The Israel-Palestine conflict, which has intensified...
Taliban’s first morality law aims to erase women from society
The Taliban's Virtue and Vice law prohibits women from showing their faces and speaking out loud in public. Picture an ordinary day - singing in the shower, reading aloud at home, or perhaps making brief eye contact with someone of the opposite gender while grocery shopping. If you were a woman in Afghanistan, these simple acts, under the new morality law, could result in punishment. Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in...
Are UK Universities going bust?
Following a Channel 4 interview, minister for higher education, Baroness Jacqui Smith, has not ruled out the forced closure of UK universities due to a funding crisis. Record numbers of young people are getting their first-choice universities, and more disadvantaged students are getting places this year. This is excellent in terms of social mobility and increasing equality within education. However, these record high numbers highlight something more economically sinister – the...
Is food becoming less nutritious?
Measurements of fruits and vegetables show that their minerals, vitamins, and protein content has dropped significantly since the 1950s. As the level of CO2 in the atmosphere continues to rise, researchers believe that human activity is to blame for this rapid decline in plant quality. The nutritional value of some fruits and vegetables has dropped significantly since the 1950s. According to a 2004 US study, important nutrients in a selection of...
Why Europe’s new tethered bottle caps are a necessary evil
Have you been scratched on the face while sipping from a plastic bottle with an attached cap? A significant change has swept across Europe’s beverage industry this summer. Since early July, all plastic drink bottles sold within the European Union are required to feature caps that remain tethered to the bottle. This seemingly small design tweak is part of the EU's broader strategy to reduce plastic waste, ensuring that caps and...
