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| Fireflies are dying out in forests around the world (Image credit: Getting Images) |
Saturday, 22 February 2020
In pictures - Fireflies are on the decline
News in brief: 17 February - 23 February 2020
Flooding worries continue
The UK is not experiencing any let up in flooding concerns as heavy rain and wind continues to sweep across the country; heavy overnight rain has meant that residents of towns in the Yorkshire Dales had to be evacuated from their homes overnight
Controversy over domestic fuels
The UK is introducing a ban on coal and wet wood (wood that has not been seasoned or dried for 1-2 years) being used in homes for domestic fires; the trend for log burners in homes is leading to a reduction in air quality and it is thought by controlling the type of fuel used it may make it more environmentally friendly
Rise in blue whale population
The number of blue whales spotted near Antarctica has risen dramatically according to recent observations; a 23-day survey carried out recorded seeing 55 animals, an amazing number considering the area was an epicentre for whaling in the early 20th century
Greta Thunberg to visit Bristol
The Swedish environmental activist is to visit Bristol next week for a youth climate protest; Bristol has previously received an award for being a European Green Capital in 2015 and has backed a commitment to being carbon neutral by 2030
Is spring arriving early?
Weather watchers and nature lovers are noticing that spring has arrived incredibly early this year with daffodils and snowdrops flowering as early as the end of January; in some places, flowers are coming out all at once instead of being staggered throughout the spring
The UK is not experiencing any let up in flooding concerns as heavy rain and wind continues to sweep across the country; heavy overnight rain has meant that residents of towns in the Yorkshire Dales had to be evacuated from their homes overnight
Controversy over domestic fuels
The UK is introducing a ban on coal and wet wood (wood that has not been seasoned or dried for 1-2 years) being used in homes for domestic fires; the trend for log burners in homes is leading to a reduction in air quality and it is thought by controlling the type of fuel used it may make it more environmentally friendly
Rise in blue whale population
The number of blue whales spotted near Antarctica has risen dramatically according to recent observations; a 23-day survey carried out recorded seeing 55 animals, an amazing number considering the area was an epicentre for whaling in the early 20th century
Greta Thunberg to visit Bristol
The Swedish environmental activist is to visit Bristol next week for a youth climate protest; Bristol has previously received an award for being a European Green Capital in 2015 and has backed a commitment to being carbon neutral by 2030
Is spring arriving early?
Weather watchers and nature lovers are noticing that spring has arrived incredibly early this year with daffodils and snowdrops flowering as early as the end of January; in some places, flowers are coming out all at once instead of being staggered throughout the spring
Sunday, 16 February 2020
In pictures - Storm Dennis
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| The River Ouse bursts its banks due to heavy rainfall from Storm Dennis (Image credit: AFP) |
News in brief: 10 February - 16 February 2020
Storm Dennis hits the UK
The UK has suffered further high wind speeds and extremely heavy rainfall especially in some areas asa result of Storm Dennis; people have had to evacuate their homes in parts of south Wales and Herefordshire due to rapidly rising floodwaters
Coronavirus continues to spread
China reported a rapid increase in the number of cases of coronavirus this week, although this seems to have plateaued over the last couple of days; current figures now state that 68,470 are infected with 1,663 dead and 9,326 recovered
Antarctica is warming
Antarctica's temperature has been recorded as above 20 degrees celsius for the first time; scientists have described this as being incredibly abnormal and that it is a worrying indicator of what is happening to climate around the world
Sydney bushfire concert
A large concert has been held in Sydney, Australia to raise money to help communities that have been devastated by the recent bushfires; the concert aimed to raise around A$10 million which will go towards supporting rural fire services and wildlife that have been affected
The UK leads the fight against illegal logging
As part of UN climate talks later this year, the UK will lead the way in addressing the issue of illegal logging and deforestation; cutting timber down is a significant source of carbon emissions and also destroys the habitats of the wildlife that live within it
The UK has suffered further high wind speeds and extremely heavy rainfall especially in some areas asa result of Storm Dennis; people have had to evacuate their homes in parts of south Wales and Herefordshire due to rapidly rising floodwaters
Coronavirus continues to spread
China reported a rapid increase in the number of cases of coronavirus this week, although this seems to have plateaued over the last couple of days; current figures now state that 68,470 are infected with 1,663 dead and 9,326 recovered
Antarctica is warming
Antarctica's temperature has been recorded as above 20 degrees celsius for the first time; scientists have described this as being incredibly abnormal and that it is a worrying indicator of what is happening to climate around the world
Sydney bushfire concert
A large concert has been held in Sydney, Australia to raise money to help communities that have been devastated by the recent bushfires; the concert aimed to raise around A$10 million which will go towards supporting rural fire services and wildlife that have been affected
The UK leads the fight against illegal logging
As part of UN climate talks later this year, the UK will lead the way in addressing the issue of illegal logging and deforestation; cutting timber down is a significant source of carbon emissions and also destroys the habitats of the wildlife that live within it
Monday, 21 October 2019
In pictures - are peatlands the answer to climate change?
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| Peatlands can store vast amounts of carbon dioxide making them vital in the fight against climate change (Image credit: Getty Images) |
News in brief - Monday 21st October
Acidification of the oceans will cause mass extinction
A new report has shown that acidification of the oceans from carbon dioxide absorption will significantly reduce the amount of wildlife that can be sustained within it; scientists are warning of an 'ecological collapse' which could occur if species such as coral and phytoplankton were to die out
Promising future of solar power
Growth in the use of solar power could mean that the solar power industry will grow by 50% in the next 25 years; this would bring an end to the rise in use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil
A new report has shown that acidification of the oceans from carbon dioxide absorption will significantly reduce the amount of wildlife that can be sustained within it; scientists are warning of an 'ecological collapse' which could occur if species such as coral and phytoplankton were to die out
Promising future of solar power
Growth in the use of solar power could mean that the solar power industry will grow by 50% in the next 25 years; this would bring an end to the rise in use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil
Wednesday, 16 October 2019
In pictures - Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition winner
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| This confrontation between a fox and a marmot in China has won the award of Wildlife of the Year competition (Image credit: Yongqing Bao) |
News in brief - Wednesday 16th October
Humpback whale population recovering
The number of humpback whales in the southwest Atlantic has risen back up to 25,000, around 90% of its total original level before commercial whale hunting and fishing began; in the 1920s, the number of whales was so low that hunters went after different species and humpback whales were given protected status
Summer temperature records broken
During the summer of 2019, almost 400 temperature records were broken in the northern hemisphere; most of the record highs were in Germany, France and the Netherlands, and many scientists believe that this is trend that is set to continue
The number of humpback whales in the southwest Atlantic has risen back up to 25,000, around 90% of its total original level before commercial whale hunting and fishing began; in the 1920s, the number of whales was so low that hunters went after different species and humpback whales were given protected status
Summer temperature records broken
During the summer of 2019, almost 400 temperature records were broken in the northern hemisphere; most of the record highs were in Germany, France and the Netherlands, and many scientists believe that this is trend that is set to continue
Tuesday, 15 October 2019
In pictures - aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis
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| Authorities in Japan are still dealing with flooding and homelessness after the typhoon last week (Image credit: Reuters) |
News in brief - Tuesday 15th October
New government environmental bill
The UK government has published a new list of environmental priorities which include improving air and water quality, reducing plastic pollution, restoring wildlife and targeting the causes of climate change; an independent watchdog is set to monitor these targets and make sure the government is held accountable
Promising future of renewables
Rapid progress in renewable energy innovation may bring an end to fossil fuels earlier than previously thought; in the last year, the UK saw greater energy production from renewable sources than ever before
The UK government has published a new list of environmental priorities which include improving air and water quality, reducing plastic pollution, restoring wildlife and targeting the causes of climate change; an independent watchdog is set to monitor these targets and make sure the government is held accountable
Promising future of renewables
Rapid progress in renewable energy innovation may bring an end to fossil fuels earlier than previously thought; in the last year, the UK saw greater energy production from renewable sources than ever before
Friday, 11 October 2019
In pictures - Typhoon Hagibis makes landfall
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| Typhoon Hagibis moves towards Japan bringing high winds and heavy rain (Image credit: Cyclocane) |
News in brief - Friday 11th October
Typhoon Hagibis set to hit Japan
One of the strongest tropical storms in recent decades is set to hit Japan this weekend; people have been warned to take precautions as the 140mph winds sweep across the country brining heavy rain
The problem of microplastics
Scientists are investigating what the real risks of eating microplastics might be to our health; researchers are looking into how microplastics are invested by animals such as lungworms and can easily move up the food chain to seafood which humans might eat
California state bans animal fur
From 2023, people living in California will not be allowed to make or sell any items that contain real animal fur; this move is something for which animal rights campaigners have been calling for sometime
One of the strongest tropical storms in recent decades is set to hit Japan this weekend; people have been warned to take precautions as the 140mph winds sweep across the country brining heavy rain
The problem of microplastics
Scientists are investigating what the real risks of eating microplastics might be to our health; researchers are looking into how microplastics are invested by animals such as lungworms and can easily move up the food chain to seafood which humans might eat
California state bans animal fur
From 2023, people living in California will not be allowed to make or sell any items that contain real animal fur; this move is something for which animal rights campaigners have been calling for sometime
Tuesday, 8 October 2019
In pictures - ozone layer repairs
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| The hole in the ozone layer is currently at its smallest since records began (Image credit: Copernicus) |
News in brief - Tuesday 8th October
Whale makes a visit to the Thames
A humpback whale around 5 m in length has been spotted swimming in the River Thames; it is not thought to be lost, and experts predict that it will soon make its return journey out to sea again
Efforts needed to maintain reduction in ozone hole
Scientists have said that people must not become complacent despite the significant progress in reducing the hole in the ozone layer; efforts are needed to make sure that gases are not released that could do it harm
Extinction Rebellion activists protest in London
The group of climate change protestors are meeting in London to make their concerns known about climate change; the are campaigning for the prime minister to act quickly and make changes that will help to save the planet
A humpback whale around 5 m in length has been spotted swimming in the River Thames; it is not thought to be lost, and experts predict that it will soon make its return journey out to sea again
Efforts needed to maintain reduction in ozone hole
Scientists have said that people must not become complacent despite the significant progress in reducing the hole in the ozone layer; efforts are needed to make sure that gases are not released that could do it harm
Extinction Rebellion activists protest in London
The group of climate change protestors are meeting in London to make their concerns known about climate change; the are campaigning for the prime minister to act quickly and make changes that will help to save the planet
Friday, 4 October 2019
In pictures - mangroves destroyed in Australia
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| Large stretches of mangroves have been destroyed in north Australia (Image credit: Norman Duke) |
News in brief - Friday 4th October
Cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
A large free-floating boom has successfully captured plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch; much of the plastic in our oceans comes from the fishing industry or has been discarded from ships
Mangroves damaged in Australia
A scientific trip to monitor mangroves has found 400km of badly damaged mangroves the north of Australia's Northern Territory and Queensland states; the remote area appears to have experienced rising sea levels, heatwaves, and back to back cyclones which has caused the devastation
A large free-floating boom has successfully captured plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch; much of the plastic in our oceans comes from the fishing industry or has been discarded from ships
Mangroves damaged in Australia
A scientific trip to monitor mangroves has found 400km of badly damaged mangroves the north of Australia's Northern Territory and Queensland states; the remote area appears to have experienced rising sea levels, heatwaves, and back to back cyclones which has caused the devastation
Thursday, 3 October 2019
In pictures - the Scottish wildcat is at risk of extinction
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| Mammals in the UK are at a rising risk of extinction (Image credit: PA) |
News in brief - Thursday 3rd October
UK animals face threat of extinction
A new report shows that around a quarter of UK mammals are facing extinction; moths and butterflies are also disappearing along with lichens and fungi
Tuna industry puts fish stocks at risk
A boom in the tuna industry is reducing the level of fish stocks at an alarming rate; scientists are warning that the current rate of fishing is unsustainable and that global fish catches have risen by 1000% in the last 60 years
A new report shows that around a quarter of UK mammals are facing extinction; moths and butterflies are also disappearing along with lichens and fungi
Tuna industry puts fish stocks at risk
A boom in the tuna industry is reducing the level of fish stocks at an alarming rate; scientists are warning that the current rate of fishing is unsustainable and that global fish catches have risen by 1000% in the last 60 years
Tuesday, 1 October 2019
In pictures - tractor protests in the Netherlands
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| Tractors cause traffic jams as they protest against being blamed for nitrogen emissions (Image credit: EPA) |
News in brief - Tuesday 1st October
Heavy rain across the UK
Torrential rainfall across the UK has brought road closures, floods and evacuations to some areas; the Environment Agency has published flood warnings and coastal surges in Cornwall meant that people had to leave caravans and seaside properties until at least tomorrow
Plastic washes up on remote south Atlantic island
A huge number of plastic bottles (mostly from China) have been found washed up on a remote island lying between Africa and South America; it is thought that many bottles have been discarded from passing ships, and it highlights just how bad the problem of plastic waste has become
Torrential rainfall across the UK has brought road closures, floods and evacuations to some areas; the Environment Agency has published flood warnings and coastal surges in Cornwall meant that people had to leave caravans and seaside properties until at least tomorrow
Plastic washes up on remote south Atlantic island
A huge number of plastic bottles (mostly from China) have been found washed up on a remote island lying between Africa and South America; it is thought that many bottles have been discarded from passing ships, and it highlights just how bad the problem of plastic waste has become
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