Environment

The periderm: Protecting plants from environmental stressors and fighting climate change

Scientists have revealed how the periderm, armoured roots of plants, not only shields them from environmental stress but also plays a crucial role in capturing and storing carbon, offering a natural solution to climate change.

Letting species go extinct through collective memory

Species can disappear from our societies, cultures and discourses at the same time as, or even before, they are made biologically extinct

Damaged seagrasses can emit methane, even after death

Scientists find that seagrasses continue to produce methane even decades after the plants die – highlighting the potential for more methane emissions if seagrasses are threatened.

Team unveils history of Antarctic ice in relation to climate change

A National Science Foundation funded-study by the University of South Florida documents the evolution of Antarctic ice sheets, 20 million years ago.

Sand is vital for the protection of coastal regions

The depletion of sand in coastal regions has become a threat to ecosystems everywhere, as sand has become a scarce resource – but it could also solve coastal erosion.

Lowest-income populations face 40% more exposure to heat waves

Rising global temperatures are creating imminent heat waves, which are set to impact poorer populations more substantially than wealthier ones.

Researchers create six step guide to improve global water quality

The University of Waterloo have created six steps to improve water quality, address nitrogen pollution and examine nitrogen legacies.

20% of African heritage sites threatened by climate change

The African coast ­– along with its numerous heritage sites – are at risk of being damaged and lost to extreme sea levels and erosion.

Bridging the gap between public understanding and realities of living alongside elephants

Dr Becky Shu-Chen, Conservationist and Project Coordinator for China at the Zoological Society of London, explores the possibilities of positive human-wildlife coexistence, and how technology can be used to protect elephants.

Natural regeneration can rapidly re-grow tropical forests

Allowing forests to naturally re-grow has been shown to be an effective strategy in tropical forests, reversing deforestation at a fast rate.

Subtropics of East Asia grow colder due to warmer Arctic winters 

Arctic winters are getting steadily warmer due to climate change, resulting in temperature changes in the subtropics of East Asia

Do environmental extremes affect voting patterns?

According to IIASA research, personal experiences of extreme weather have a lot to do with political voting patterns

Only 15% of coastal areas are still intact, globally 

Only 15% of coastal areas around the world remain intact, according to research findings that highlight the need for rehabilitation and conservation.

Paris Agreement targets are yet to protect coral reefs

The Paris Agreement limited global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, which still has devastating impacts for coral reefs – remaining on track for coral degeneration.

40% of undiscovered tree species will be found in South America

According to new data, there are 73,274 different species of tree on Earth - with another 9,186 still to be discovered.

Microplastics found in placenta and newborns

Researchers looking at plastics’ connection with pregnancy and children's health, find that placenta can absorb nanoplastics during pregnancy, affecting babies when born.

30,000 year-old carbon deposits are thawing in Siberia

Carbon, freeze-locked under ice over 30,000 years ago, is now thawing and being released into the climate as greenhouse gases.

Advertisements


Latest Academic Articles

The latest academic articles from key research stakeholders