By University of Queensland, Phys.Org A challenge among three housemates to identify species around their inner-Brisbane home has resulted in an academic research paper, showcasing the rich biodiversity in urban landscapes. UQ mathematician Dr. Matt Holden, ecologist Dr. Andrew Rogers and taxonomist Dr. Russell Yong took a census of their …
Ottawa Vows to Bring in Methane Emissions Regulations. Alberta Promises to Never Implement Them.
By Mitchell Beer, Corporate Knights Canada’s draft regulations promise a 75% cut in oil and gas industry methane emissions, but will the province with most oil and gas wells actually enforce them? Canada became the first country to promise a 75% reduction in oil and gas industry methane emissions during …
‘Phaseout’ or ‘Phasedown’? Why UN Climate Negotiators Obsess Over Language
By Akielly Hu, Grist Expect heated debates over single words — and even commas — at COP28. In recent years, environmental activists have lambasted annual United Nations climate conferences for producing “empty words” and “hollow promises” instead of concrete actions to slow global warming. Many of those critics argue that follow-through — actually implementing commitments …
Rare Animal Thought to Be Extinct Suddenly Found by Dog on Beach
By Anna Skinner, Newsweek A dog made the discovery of a lifetime when it discovered an animal believed to be extinct after it wasn’t seen for nearly 90 years. The collie had been deployed by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) as a scent detection dog in a yearslong and nearly …
10,000 Oysters Released on to Reef to Help Clean Sea
By Jay Vydelingum, BBC About 10,000 native oysters have been released onto a manmade reef off the North East coast aimed at helping to remove pollutants from the sea. Conservationists said the under water platform, off Whitburn, South Tyneside, should create a new marine ecosystem. More than 750 tonnes of …
This Moroccan Startup is Growing Crops in the Desert
By Jacopo Prisco, CNN Climate change means desertification is a growing problem, with 250 million people directly impacted by the degradation of formerly fertile land. The issue affects a third of the Earth’s land surface, according to the United Nations, parching parts of Africa, South America, southern Europe, China and a third of US …
Controlled Burns can Provide Years of Protection Against Wildfires, New Study Shows
By Tik Root, Grist New research finds that “beneficial” fires can cut the risk of high intensity blazes by 64 percent. When data scientist Xaio Wu arrived at Stanford University for his postdoctoral fellowship, California was coming off a record-breaking wildfire season. In 2020, nearly 9,900 fires had burned more than …
Environmental Justice a Key Theme Throughout Biden’s National Climate Assessment
By Kristoffer Tigue, Georgina Gustin, Liza Gross, Victoria St. Martin, Inside Climate News The report finds that societal factors, including historic racism, have shaped the climate reality for many communities of color. It also details the impacts of climate change on Indigenous people, public health and agriculture. WASHINGTON—Whether it’s the likelihood of living in …
Are You Suffering From Shifting Baseline Syndrome?
By Reagan Pearce, Earth.Org Do you suffer from Shifting Baseline Syndrome (SBS)? Well, the answer is that everyone probably does. While SBS is not an actual medical condition, it has been gaining traction across environmental disciplines, as well as featuring in modern environmental literature, as seen in Isabella Tree’s Wilding: The Return …
Michigan Poised to Join States Requiring 100 Percent Clean Electricity
By Dan Gearino and Aydali Campa, Inside Climate News A suite of bills headed to the governor’s desk will also give the state, instead of local governments, the authority to approve industrial-scale renewable energy projects. Michigan is likely about to take its place among states with aggressive plans to cut …