Why the Mediterranean is a climate change hotspot
Although global climate models vary in many ways, they agree on this: The Mediterranean region will be significantly drier in coming decades, potentially seeing 40 percent less precipitation during the winter rainy season.
Overconsumption and growth economy key drivers of environmental crises
Researchers, led by a UNSW sustainability scientist, have reviewed existing academic discussions on the link between wealth, economy and associated impacts, reaching a clear conclusion: technology will only get us so far when working towards sustainability—we need far-reaching lifestyle changes and different economic paradigms.
Smooth handfish extinction marks a sad milestone
For the first time the IUCN Red List has officially declared a marine fish alive in modern times to be extinct.
Scientists discover unusual underwater rivers along Australia’s coastline
Scientists from The University of Western Australia have discovered underwater rivers along most of Australia’s continental shelf that are unique and do not occur at this scale anywhere else in the world.
The many lifetimes of plastics
Infographics strive to give us a sense of how long plastic goods will last in the environment. But is this information reliable?
Coal-burning in Siberia led to climate change 250 million years ago
A team of researchers has provided the first ever direct evidence that extensive coal burning in Siberia is a cause of the Permo-Triassic Extinction, the Earth’s most severe extinction event.
Liberia: residents decry illicit sand mining in Schiefflin township
Residents are pleading with the government to come to their aid as illegal miners continue to mine sand and causing grave environmental hazard to the community. They say that there is continuous 24-hour, 7-day beach mining taking place.
Could we run out of sand? Scientists adjust how grains are measured
We are astounded to discover there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on our beaches.
More than 1000 tons of plastic rains into Western US protected lands annually
Watershed researchers estimate more than 1000 tons of microplastics (equal to more than 123 million plastic water bottles) are deposited in national parks and wilderness areas each year.