Why ‘debt-for-nature’ swaps are the future of climate finance
Many developing countries are deep in financial debt. More often than not, however, they are rich in biodiversity. An increasingly popular climate agreement could enable them to minimise the debt they owe to wealthy nations – as long as the money saved is placed into environmental protection and adaptation...
Current in Planet
Why should you be concerned about animal mills?
New legislation in New York has finally clamped down on the selling of domestic pets such as dogs and cats. It’s hoped that this well help eradicate animal mills, where pets are bred with little regard for their wellbeing. Last December, the state of New York passed a law...
Air pollution linked to an increased risk of mental illness
According to a new study, people living in polluted areas with long-term exposure to even comparatively low levels of poor air quality are more likely to develop depression and anxiety. Though most people would associate air pollution with the lungs, a new study has highlighted the impact it can...
‘Holy grail’ wheat gene could make heat resistant crops
How humanity is to continue growing wheat in centuries to come has long been agriculture’s million-dollar question, but UK scientists have finally developed a crop gene reportedly resistant to a warming world. Remember Interstellar, where a global wheat blight forced Mathew McConachie to scour neighbouring galaxies in search of habitable...
Is ‘weather whiplash’ yet another symptom of climate change?
Once a colloquial phrase used to describe surprising, rapid shifts in weather conditions, ‘weather whiplash’ is being continuously validated by climate change studies and is reportedly getting worse. We all misjudge the weather from time to time, but what we’re talking about here is far more dramatic than mistakenly opting to...
Could Colombia be the first oil-rich country to ditch fossil fuels?
The South American nation’s left-wing government has announced it will not approve any new oil and gas exploration projects as it seeks to shift towards a more sustainable economy. In June last year, ex-rebel Gustavo Petro won Colombia’s presidential election after one of the most contested campaigns in the...
Is animal agriculture on the verge of change?
Recent calls for more awareness about the cruelty behind livestock exportation in addition to a proposed law obliging farmers to address the environmental impact of meat and dairy production indicates a shift may finally be afoot. Last year, it was revealed that the agriculture industry is responsible for about a quarter of our total greenhouse gas emissions, the main contributor being livestock and fisheries. Yet although the...
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 not the only one. Amazon is notorious for using unnecessary packaging when shipping items. According to a new report, its global...
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 settlement. Ravaging drought has left thousands of animals dead, children malnourished, and thousands of people forced to flee their homes in...
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 pollution, it was revealed by Greenpeace that despite our best efforts to protect the environment, more than half of what...
