Report reveals Amazon’s plastic use rose astronomically last year
The largest retailer on the planet ships out 7.7 billion packages annually. How it chooses to wrap these items has serious consequences for the natural world – including humans. Have you ever ordered a small item from Amazon and been shocked by the size of the parcel that arrived? You’re...
Current in Planet
Understanding Kenya’s transition to clean energy
Kenya is among the leading African nations in renewable energy, currently generating more than 75% from renewable sources, primarily geothermal power and hydropower. According to the government, the country looks to shift to 100% clean energy by 2030. Kenya’s climate crisis has left its northern population without food, shelter, and...
England set to ban some single-use plastics
In a long-awaited step towards reducing pollution, the British government is poised to phase out certain products and replace them with biodegradable alternatives. Two years ago, the extent of Britain’s plastic waste problem came to light. Though the nation claims to be a world leader in tackling this kind of...
EU bans the sale of products linked to deforestation
In a move that prevents further devastation of forests around the world, the European Union has agreed to place a legal ban on the sale of products fuelling deforestation. Although the number of people purchasing eco-friendly products is on the rise, many popular brands have continued to sneak environmentally damaging...
Global pollinator losses linked to excess fatalities
According to a new study, insect declines are resulting in reduced yields of healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, and nuts which is causing an estimated 500,000 early deaths a year. In 2019, the first Global Scientific Review of insect populations was released. It disclosed, to the dismay of the entomological community,...
Africa’s Gen Z demanded COP27 tackle climate emergency
At this year’s COP27, young African climate activists demanded for actions and not words. Africa has been the worst hit by the effects of climate change. This year's Young Africa session revealed adaptation and funding as priorities to curb the climate emergency. According to the UN, more than 30...
Is climate change killing the chances of holiday snow for good?
What will a warming climate do to our chances of getting Christmas snow around the globe? You may think it’s obvious, but let’s have a proper examination. If the phrase ‘No sh*t Sherlock’ is already running through your head, chill. We promise you’ll learn something here today. The cultural imagery surrounding Christmas has ubiquitously featured glistening carpets of snow, even in the Southern hemisphere, where the holiday lands in mid-summer. But, as...
How major oil firms will try to block the world’s first plastic pollution treaty
Global leaders are meeting this week to secure the world’s first global plastic pollution treaty, but big oil companies have major stakes in continuing to produce virgin plastics. There’s sure to be major pushback. The fossil fuel industry is starting to lose its monopoly on the global energy sector. Renewables are being embraced worldwide, electric vehicles are becoming cheaper, and innovation aimed at storing green power continues to find success. Knowing...
Tobacco companies to be billed for clean-up of cigarette waste
Under new environmental regulations in Spain and Ireland, they will be forced to pay for part of the costs associated with ridding the streets of the millions of butts smokers discard annually. In June, the World Health Organisation released a comprehensive report outlining the destructive effects of the tobacco industry on the planet. Every year, cigarette manufacture costs the world some 600m trees, 200,000 hectares of land, and 84m tonnes...
Marine biologists are optimising fishing practices in Europe
Oceanologists are using their knowledge to help fishermen increase their income while improving the sustainability of their catches. If implemented across Europe, it could transform the fishing industry in the Mediterranean. Though there’s been a lot of talk about unsustainable fishing in recent years, it’s important to remember that all fishermen are not created equal. Amongst the most problematic are industrial-sized fishing organisations and large fleets of trawling vessels, which obliterate...
