Nearly all of the world’s coral reefs are being hit by mass bleaching
The large-scale bleaching of coral reefs is being observed from diverse locations such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to the shallow reefs of the Caribbean and the coastal stretches of East Africa. An underwater crisis is unfolding silently, far from the global spotlight. A recent report from the...
Current in Planet
UK fruit and veg growing early thanks to climate change
Warmer weather than usual means that the UK has grown strawberries, aubergines and tomatoes weeks earlier than expected. It could be a sign of things to come in the next few decades. The climate crisis is changing our relationship with fruit and vegetables, altering our calendar schedules and making it...
Overwhelming majority reportedly want more climate change action
New research suggests that vast majority of the world’s population wants stronger action to fight climate change, with 89% agreeing that not enough is being done. However, most believe they’re in the minority, leading to what experts call a ‘spiral of silence.’ If you feel like not enough is being...
Have we just solved the ecological scourge of the tyre?
Tyres have become an increasingly alarming presence in landfills due to their long-lasting environmental impact, but researchers at a US university have discovered a new method to help address this growing issue. You’re never more than 100ft away from a tyre, with approximately 3 billion of them produced globally each...
I attended CGIAR Science Week at UN Headquarters in Nairobi
It was an incredible learning experience to attend the inaugural CGIAR Science Week held at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi. Last week, over 13,000 participants convened at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya to address the food, land and water systems' key challenges against the threat of climate...
Trump trying to roll back decades of vital energy efficiency standards
The Trump administration’s assault on long-standing reforms now has energy efficiency standards in its crosshairs. The rollback is potentially devastating for global environmental targets and is being described as the ‘largest deregulatory effort in history’. Donald Trump is still ploughing through federal laws at full throttle. The latest attempted unravelling...
The unseen dangers of coal mine methane emissions
Joint research by UNSW and the UN found that one of Australia’s coal mines has a higher methane emission rate than originally reported. What’s worse is that coal mine methane emissions are prevalent worldwide, further threatening climate action. The topic of methane emissions has constantly been in the middle of discussions regarding climate policy. Many have been taught that methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases (GHG) in...
UK carbon emissions fell by 4% in 2024
Official government figures state that less use of gas and coal in the national electricity supply led to a 4% reduction in carbon emissions during 2024. A positive climate story, you say. We’ll take it. The UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has released figures showing a 4% reduction in carbon emissions in 2024. The statistics, published on Thursday (April 3rd), showed a significant reduction from 385m tonnes in...
Who pays the price for natural disasters like Cyclone Alfred?
Race, class, and resilience continue to shape the climate crisis, as Australia’s East coast is hit by a deadly typhoon. In the early days of March, Australia’s east coast – home to the country’s most populous cities including Sydney and Brisbane – was hit by a storm that, despite being downgraded to a tropic low, left a significant trail of devastation in its path. Cyclone Alfred has resulted in widespread power...
Underwater ‘doorbell’ helping scientists to catch coral-eating fish
Scientists in Florida used cameras to identify three corallivorous fish species that ate 97% of the coral initially laid out as bait in a controlled experiment. This information will help to tackle the massive decline in Florida’s coral reef populations. Did you assume that doorbells were only for… well, doors? You thought wrong. Scientists in Florida are using underwater ‘doorbell’ cameras to monitor and identify certain types of fish that...
