Green theme at the 15th Zürich Film Festival
The 15th Zürich Film Festival was not only green because of its carpet. The green theme kicked off with the film Bruno Manser – Voice of the Rainforest, followed by another gala premiere Watson...
Tagged: biodiversity
Saving coral reefs could benefit land ecosystems, too
New research from Australia shows that bolder actions to protect coral reefs from the effects of global warming will benefit all ecosystems, including those on land. According to two researchers from the ARC Centre...
Investing in climate change more urgent than ever
Acting to reduce climate change now will cost much less than the damage otherwise inflicted by climate change in the future, argue an internationally respected group of scientists. Scientists from around the world published...
Microplastics stunting growth of worms
Commonly used plastics can affect earthworms, plant growth and the pH of soil, finds a new study. New research from Anglia Ruskin University has found that the presence of microplastics can stunt the growth...
Amazon fires fueled by Bolsonaro
The Brazilian Amazon is experiencing its worst forest fires in over a decade. President Bolsonaro is to blame for his loosening of forest protection and encouragement of slash and burn practices, clearing land for...
Singapore offers lessons for sustainable cities
The Asian city-state is proof that integrated urban planning is the key to creating sustainable, attractive and liveable cities, says Xiao Wu from the World Bank. Xiao Wu, who works in the Social, Urban,...
Marine heatwaves pose greater threat to coral reefs than once thought
Marine heatwaves are a much bigger threat to coral reefs than previously thought, as new research reveals a previously unrecognized impact of climate change on coral reefs. A new study by a team of...
Pokémon-like card game can help teach ecology
Playing a Pokémon-like card game about ecology and biodiversity can result in a better understanding of ecosystems than traditional teaching methods, according to new research from the University of British Columbia. The Phylo Trading...
Top UK architects declare climate emergency
Seventeen Stirling Prize winners, including Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects, have released a declaration calling on UK architects to create “architecture and urbanism that has a more positive impact on the world...
Madagascar still has time if leaders act fast
Andry Rajoelina won the presidency of Madagascar last year on promises to curb corruption, improve the economy and protect the African island’s precious but embattled natural resources. Now scientists are taking action to make...
Organic farming has major side benefits
Organic farming has long held great promise for sustainability. But critics have argued that organic farming takes up too much land compared to agriculture that uses chemicals and genetically modified seeds. Organic farming produces...
Research and tourism putting pressure on ‘sensitive’ Antarctic land
The human ‘footprint’ on Antarctica has been measured for the first time, with alarming findings: over 80 per cent of buildings on the continent are located in the minuscule 0.44 per cent of the...
From rigs to reefs: turning old oil rigs into vertical reefs
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have published a study on efforts to turn old oil rigs into permanent reefs that could be home to millions of marine plants and animals off the coast of...
Microplastics becoming a major problem for mussels
Plastic pollution is potentially threatening the survival of mussels by causing them to lose their grip, according to a new study from Anglia Ruskin University. The researchers from Anglia Ruskin University and the Portaferry...
Genetically engineered forests?
Scientists are exploring whether genetically engineered or gene-edited trees – also known as biotech trees – can counter the threats facing our forests, such as higher temperatures, droughts and pests. But this raises both...
Palau islands build resilience by tackling ‘overtourism’
The tiny South Pacific nation of Palau faced a huge environmental challenge a few years ago. Its people have now shown how even a small country can devise a big-impact strategy to cultivate sustainability....
Scientists warn against seabed mining
Mining on the seafloor could provide a treasure trove for businesses seeking precious and base metals and other resources. But it could also destroy fragile ecosystems that humanity has yet to touch, scientists at...
Historic efforts underway to regenerate Great Barrier Reef
Scientists in Australia are using millions of coral spawn to regenerate the Great Barrier Reef in what is the biggest coral reseeding project in history. The Larval Restoration Project aims to repair the reproductive...
Cod, the climate refugee
If temperatures increase by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, there is a high probability of losing cod breeding grounds, according to a new study by experts at the Alfred Wegner Institute (AWI) Helmholtz Centre...
UN Climate Change Conference sets the course for International Coral Reef Symposium in Bremen
On December 3, 2018, the UN Climate Change Conference began in Katowice, Poland. The results will also have a major impact on the future of tropical coral reefs. Global CO2 emissions pose a threat...
