The race to discover and protect Earth’s hidden plants
Scientists warn that thousands of potentially life-saving plants may vanish due to extinction before they can be documented or protected. In a world obsessed with technological innovations and scientific breakthroughs, many of Earth’s natural ecosystems have been taken for granted. A new study led by Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens suggests...
Current in Planet
I hosted the Live On the Frontlines climate film screening event
Organised in response to recurring climate-related disasters affecting the globe, the Live On The Frontlines event aimed to shed light on the lives impacted by these issues and explore sustainable solutions through a blend of film screenings, panel discussions, and community engagement. Kenya’s Kisumu city, situated on the shores of...
Can renewables end South Africa’s ‘load shedding’ blackouts?
Despite two decades of rolling blackouts and national energy scandals, stimulation in the renewables sector might just be the turning point for Africa’s most developed economy. South Africa is in the throws of an energy crisis which has been unfolding for almost twenty years now. The country's national electricity grid, which...
What has been learned from Greenland’s major landslide?
A major landslide in Greenland triggered a massive tsunami, generating seismic vibrations never seen before. These vibrations reverberated across the Earth for nine days, underscoring the alarming effects of climate change on the region’s geological stability. Last September, scientists worldwide detected a seismic signal that lasted for nine days leading...
what if we were all a bit more wonderous?
I often think about the joys of seeing the natural world through the eyes of a child and whether this could incentivise us adults to treat it with more care and appreciation. When was the last time you went for a walk? I’m not talking about getting from A to B,...
Are we adapting radically enough to climate change?
According to a new study comparing how sensitive societies are to extreme weather now versus 50 years ago, humanity may be no better prepared for the impacts of climate change today than in the 1970s. Considering that hundreds of the world’s leading climate scientists expect our planet to breach the...
India named as the country producing the most plastic
Recent research published in Nature has revealed that the world’s second-most populous nation is contributing to a staggering one-fifth of all plastic production across the globe. The amount of plastic that India produces has reached alarming proportions, surpassing all other nations globally. According to recent research published in Nature, the country is responsible for approximately 20 per cent of all the world’s plastic waste. This figure not only...
Sharks are vacating struggling reefs as oceans heat up
As ocean temperatures rise, sharks are starting to abandon degraded coral reefs. Researchers warn that this shift could have devastating effects on both endangered shark populations and the survival of the reefs. As the climate crisis intensifies and ocean temperatures rise, sharks are leaving their coral reef habitats for the open ocean. New research has documented this behavioural shift, which scientists say poses serious threats both to endangered sharks and to...
Houthi attacks in Red Sea raise alarm over potential major oil spill
The Houthi attack on the Greek-flagged tanker ‘Sounion’ in the Red Sea has sparked serious concerns about a potential catastrophic oil spill with widespread environmental and economic impacts. Last year marked the beginning of turmoil in the Red Sea with the Yemeni Houthi rebels dragging the region into limbo in response to Israel’s ignorance towards a ceasefire in Gaza. Their efforts include missile and drone strikes targeting ships that are...
Is the UK government being indecisive with arms sales to Israel?
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announces a suspension of arms sales to Israel following the Palestine V Israel conflict. He states that this was ‘not an arms embargo’ – but there was a ‘clear risk’ of UK weaponry being used for violations to international law. The Israel-Palestine conflict, which has intensified since late 2023, is rooted in tensions that far predate the Hamas attack on October 7th. Recent developments have only deepened...
