Why we should talk more about Europe’s rapidly growing forests
With laser-like focus on deforestation in the Amazon, we’ve forgotten to celebrate the growth of forests around us and the job they’re doing to sustain our natural world. The Amazon rainforest tends to make headlines whenever wildfires begin, as entire ecosystems and species are irreversibly destroyed. But more frequently, it’s human-led...
Current in Planet
Final IPCC report warns ‘now or never’ to prevent climate disaster
Climate scientists have provided something of a final warning in the latest IPCC report. Efforts to make emissions peak by 2025 must materialise ‘now or never’ to avoid devastating climate impacts. Good afternoon… humanity is running out of time. The third and final section of the IPCC’s comprehensive review of climate...
Edible food packaging is the future of snack time
Using seaweed and algae, several food manufacturers are starting to cut back on single-use plastic waste by making their wrappers fully edible. Ever finish your snack and wish you had a little something more to munch on? What if we told you that soon, you’ll be able to eat the...
Heatwaves at both Earth’s poles alarm climate researchers
Over the weekend, temperatures at both the Earth’s poles soared to between 30C and 40C higher than expected levels. If this becomes the norm, researchers are seriously concerned about an abrupt climate breakdown. At this time of year, the Antarctic should be rapidly cooling after its summer while the Arctic...
Could privatising the moon be the next human space venture?
A UK-based think tank wants to solve poverty on Earth by privatising the moon. Just in case anyone felt like we didn’t have the resources to deal with problems on Earth, economists are now suggesting that the moon could be of help. A British, neoliberal think-tank called The Adam Smith Institute...
Major shipping routes could be changed to protect blue whales
Off the coast of Sri Lanka, a unique pod of blue whales circulate the waters all year round. Environmentalists are calling for shipping routes to be adjusted to keep them safe. In 2008, a unique and endangered pod of whales was discovered in the Indian Ocean. Most blue whales typically migrate...
Protests erupt in Brazil over Bolsonaro’s anti-environment bills
Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in the country’s capital to oppose what activists call a ‘death combo’ of five ecocidal proposals being considered by congress. With Brazil the world’s biodiversity champion, you’d assume its leaders would be at the forefront of climate action. Yet President Jair Bolsonaro, the right-wing ‘Trump of the Tropics’ as he’s been referred to, is flagrantly contrair, responsible for destroying about 10,000 square miles of...
There is no real snow at this year’s Winter Olympics
As climate change causes shorter winters and warmer summers, what will happen to the world’s biggest snow sports competition? This year’s Winter Olympics may look no different to any other from the outside - but this is the first time in history where close to 100 percent of the snow on the mountains is artificial. On the man-made slopes of Beijing’s Yanqing district, snow guns have already used over 200 million...
Where are we with climate education?
This month, the world celebrates International Day of Education. But as the climate crisis continues to approach us, where does it sit in our curriculums and why is it ever more critical that we teach our children how to tackle it? I still remember the first time I learned of climate change. Although, back then, it was more widely known as global warming. It was during a rainy science lesson in...
How to find balance as we embrace the end-emic
Open borders, ditched restrictions, and in-office work schedules have made a comeback – but how do we avoid getting burnt out in light of our newfound freedoms? Is it me or does it feel like life has gone back to normal almost overnight? Dwindling numbers of coronavirus hospitalisations and death rates have seen the UK government drop all its restrictions on travel and social distancing. We’ve finally been given the green light...
