UN says 80% of Earth’s land is drying
This year's UNCCD COP16 summit dubbed 'Our Land, Our Future,' highlights the pressing need to tackle growing land degradation worldwide. The latest UN report reveals that over three-quarters of the Earth's land has already dried up for good. The United Nations presented disturbing findings on Monday at the UN...
Current in Planet
Why has the price of coffee hit an almost fifty-year high?
Coffee prices have been on a steady incline for the last few decades, but in 2024 the price of the world’s most popular bean variety has increased by 70 percent. What’s behind this rapid change? Feeling scammed whenever you pay your local coffee shop £3.40 for your flat white? Well...
The case for real versus artificial Christmas trees
It’s the festive debate to end all festive debates. But which tree really is better for the planet? For decades, the debate over real versus artificial Christmas trees has been the festive equivalent of pineapple on pizza. It’s divisive, personal, and a little exhausting. You might choose artificial trees for their...
Understanding Africa’s unmet needs at COP29
The just concluded COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, once again left Africa grappling with unfulfilled commitments from previous summits. Baku’s COP29 brought together close to 200 countries, highlighting the Global South’s critical need for financial support, technology transfer, and capacity building to adapt to escalating climate challenges. Nevertheless, major promises made...
COP29 summit Azerbaijan: live coverage
The 29th iteration of the Conference of the Parties is now underway in Baku, Azerbaijan. Over the next two weeks, we’ll bring you the essential information from each thematic day. Will national delegates make a genuine impact, or are we looking at another greenwashing fest? We’re back for yet another...
The global financial deadlock at COP29 must be confronted
As the world teeters on the brink of a climate catastrophe, the stakes at COP29 have never been higher and leaders must reckon with the urgency of implementing tangible action. For decades, international climate conferences have been long on rhetoric and short on meaningful action. The current negotiations in Baku...
More than one in three tree species at risk of extinction
An alarming new assessment has revealed that the number of threatened trees now outweighs all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians put together. According to the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, a third of the world’s trees are now at risk of extinction. This number is more than double that of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined and has experts seriously concerned about what it means for the...
How realistic is Keir Starmer’s COP29 pledge?
The Prime Minister’s goals may be loud, but is anyone listening? Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s commitment for the UK to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035 at the COP29 climate summit has been hailed by some as a brave push for climate leadership. The pledge is marginally more ambitious than the current target of a 78% reduction measured against 1990 levels and aligns with recommendations from Britain’s climate...
Himalayan glacial lakes are expanding at an alarming rate
Driven by climate change and as a result of rising temperatures, this is rapidly heightening the risk of floods that have the potential to devastate communities across the region. Over the past 13 years, the overall area of Himalayan glacial lakes has increased by more than 10 per cent, from 533,401 hectares in 2011 to 591,108 hectares in 2024. This rapid expansion is primarily being driven by the...
Darjeeling zoo’s trailblazing efforts to save the endangered red panda
Not only has it successfully rewilded nine in the past two years – with plans to release a tenth soon – but has established India’s first genetic biobank facility to preserve the DNA of vulnerable Himalayan species. At the heart of Darjeeling Zoo’s success is its Topkeydara Conservation Centre, where orphaned or rescued red pandas are carefully rehabilitated and made ready for life back in the wild. Caretaker Sudhan Chhetri...
