UK weather more ideal for endangered giant redwoods than in native US
There are an estimated half a million sequoias – the world’s largest trees – in Britain today, growing at a similar rate to those in California. Recent research has uncovered that this has the potential to tackle climate change by pulling an average of 85 kilograms of carbon from...
Current in Planet
EU criminalises serious cases of environmental destruction
The European Union has become the first international body to criminalise acts comparable to ecocide. Ecocide is a case of severe environmental destruction which leads to habitat loss and, ultimately, crimes against humanity. For far too long, major companies have engaged in practices that are destroying our planet with little...
Study finds that deep ocean dwellers are full of microplastics
Microplastics are everywhere. In our homes, bloodstreams, and even in human placentas. New research shows these pesky plastic particles have even reached the deepest parts of the ocean – and they’re being eaten by sea creatures. Considering humans have been using non-biodegradable and non-recyclable plastic since the early 60s, there...
2024 Super Bowl was first to be powered by renewable energy
The biggest game in American sports has dominated headlines and timelines this weekend. But a surprising revelation about the Super Bowl’s sustainability initiatives has got people talking. As the most-watched sporting event in the US, the Super Bowl has some staggeringly unsustainable statistics attached to it. From the gross overproduction and...
Oceans hit record temperatures in 2024
As 2024 begins with the hottest ocean temperatures ever recorded, our climate situation is looking pretty dire. The world’s oceans reached the hottest temperatures ever recorded early in 2024, serving as a profoundly concerning indication that the Earth is spiraling toward extreme climate breakdown - if greenhouse gas emissions...
A new ocean is forming in East Africa
In the deserts of Ethiopia, a gigantic crack is forming in the earth. It will eventually split completely, creating a new ocean that alters the geopolitical and economic sphere of the region. Though we may not notice it, our planet is moving and changing all the time. In fact, since...
Human activity is pushing most migratory species to the brink of extinction
According to a new UN report, 1 in 5 migratory animals are threatened with extinction. By publishing the research, the organisation hopes that success stories included in the report will spark collective conservation action around the globe. Every year, billions of animals embark on epic journeys across the world’s continents and oceans. These adventures – propelled by the need to find shelter, to mate, and to find food – occur in...
Canada’s oil sands emit 6300% more pollutants than previously thought
The recent study has highlighted the lack of a unified monitoring framework to guide monitoring in the oil sands region, affecting nearby indigenous communities. The oil sands, colloquially known as the tar sands are a mixture of bitumen, water, sand, and clay. Canada’s Athabasca oil sands are one of the largest reserves of crude oil in the world and hold an estimated 1.7 trillion barrels of bitumen. The nation...
Extraction of raw materials to reportedly rise by 60% by 2060
An unpublished UN document acquired by The Guardian claims that the globe’s extraction of raw materials will increase by 60% by 2060. Such rapid acceleration would inevitably have huge implications for our climate. Despite the fact that the extraction of rare earth metals and minerals accounts for roughly 60% of anthropogenic global warming, the industry is tipped for exponential growth by 2060. According to an unreleased United Nations document –...
Lagos completely bans single-use plastics and styrofoam
Nigeria's Lagos state government has implemented a comprehensive ban on single-use plastics and styrofoam, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of these non-biodegradable materials. Lagos, one of the most populous cities in Africa, has been grappling with the environmental consequences of plastic pollution for decades. Single-use plastics and styrofoam products, commonly used in packaging and food services, have contributed significantly to environmental degradation, posing threats to marine life, soil health,...
