Tootfinder

"China’s Yangtze River shows signs of remarkable recovery after fishing ban"
#China #Environment #Rivers

What happens to cigarette butts after 10 years in the environment #environment

What happens to cigarette butts after 10 years in the environment
Cigarette butts are the most common form of litter worldwide. Trillions are discarded every year in cities, parks, beaches, along railway tracks and roadside environments. Despite their small size, these remnants of smoked cigarettes represent a persistent form of pollution because their filters are made primarily of cellulose acetate—a plastic polymer derived from natural cellulose and highly resistant to environmental degradation and produced as tightly packed microscopic fibers.

"Web of undersea cables poised to become marine observatory"
#Oceans #Environment

Web of undersea cables poised to become marine observatory
Telecom infrastructure at the ocean floor is being harnessed as a powerful conservation tool for vulnerable marine mammals

Revealed: the world’s worst mega-leaks of methane driving global heating https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/17/revealed-world-worst-methane-leaks-global-heating

"Denmark secures €1bn to subsidise farmers for nature restoration"
#Denmark #Nature #Environment

Are You Registered to Vote? #Ohio #environment

"How plant “touch” boosts resilience: new research reveals surprising stress response"
#Plants #Nature #Environment

How plant “touch” boosts resilience: new research reveals surprising stress response | The Optimist Daily
When plant leaves touch, they become more resilient to light stress. A new study shows how physical contact may form a natural stress warning system.

Crop droughts set to worsen—even as rainfall increases #environment

Crop droughts set to worsen—even as rainfall increases
Europe and western North America will experience more frequent and severe crop droughts as Earth warms, even in places where yearly rainfall increases.

Generous of them to use the past tense in this video because the takeaway is that everything you think has been solved about asbestos has not actually been solved
#environment

"Elon Musk’s xAI faces second lawsuit over toxic pollutants from datacenter"
#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Environment

No Blood for Oil: Demand a Fossil-Free Future! #environment

No Blood for Oil: Demand a Fossil-Free Future!
2026 should be the year we transition away from oil, coal and gas – not launch conflicts to drill for them. Clinging to fossil fuels locks us into a cycle of violence, volatility, and authoritarianism. Every new fossil fuel project adds fuel to a climate crisis already displacing millions. True security doesn't come from controlling pipelines; it comes from renewable energy that serves communities, not billionaires. Over 80 countries are committed to a roadmap for a fossil-free future. Let’…

I've always felt this was, at least, partly true. Can be extrapolated to also be a reason why #China dominated cleantech too - something that most #climate & #environment groups don't want to acknowle…

"UK Government confirms plans to streamline environmental decision-making in planning regulations"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Environment

Customize what happens when you start R: #rstats #environment

The hidden cost of fisheries subsidies #environment

The hidden cost of fisheries subsidies
In public finance, some costs are politely kept off the books. The ocean has long been one of them. Governments often speak of “blue growth” and “sustainable use,” yet many policies still treat marine ecosystems as a kind of free input: available, resilient, and cheap to replace. The result is ecological decline. It is also […]

"'Dramatic development': Austria warns all but 2 of its 96 glaciers have retreated over last 2 years"
#Austria #Glaciers #Environment

Climate change is killing off Austria's glaciers. What's at risk?
Soaring temperatures are fuelling the demise of Austria's glaciers, with 'vast implications' for drinking water, power generation, infrastructure and more.

Traffic pollution alters the atmospheric electric field, study finds #environment

Traffic pollution alters the atmospheric electric field, study finds
A new study shows that traffic-related pollution in a major urban area in central Israel produces immediate, measurable changes in the atmospheric electric field, while particulate matter creates slower, delayed effects. The research also identifies a strong weekend signal, with reduced emissions leading to a marked weakening of the electric field.

Takeaway coffee cups release thousands of microplastic particles, research reveals #environment

Takeaway coffee cups release thousands of microplastic particles, research reveals
It's 7:45am. You grab a takeout coffee from your local café, wrap your hands around the warm cup, take a sip, and head to the office.

Typhoons vacuum microplastics from ocean and deposit them on land, study finds #environment

Typhoons vacuum microplastics from ocean and deposit them on land, study finds
Tropical storms such as typhoons, hurricanes, and cyclones are Earth's most powerful weather systems. Born over warm oceans, they travel thousands of kilometers to land, traversing waters now polluted with plastics, from coastal runoff to the vast oceanic garbage patches.

"Testing the waters: can pumping chemicals into the ocean help stop global heating?"
#Chemicals #Environment #Oceans

Dicamba: Concerns about cancer and crop damage #environment #Dicamba

Dicamba: Concerns about cancer and crop damage
Dicamba is a broad-spectrum herbicide that scientific studies link to cancer. It has caused serious crop damage to millions of acres of American farmland.

"Charity buys £2.2m tract of land for Wales’ biggest rewilding project"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #Environment

Methane spiked after 2020 and the cause was unexpected #environment

Methane spiked after 2020 and the cause was unexpected
Methane levels in Earth’s atmosphere surged faster than ever in the early 2020s, and scientists say the reason was a surprising mix of chemistry and climate. A temporary slowdown in the atmosphere’s ability to break down methane allowed the gas to linger, while unusually wet conditions boosted emissions from wetlands, rivers, lakes, and rice fields around the world. Pandemic-related changes in air pollution played a key role, indirectly weakening the atmosphere’s natural “clean-up” pr…

"The Netherlands Has Banned Fireworks To Protect People, Animals, And The Environment"
#Netherlands #Fireworks #Environment

The Netherlands Has Banned Fireworks To Protect People, Animals, And The Environment
The Netherlands has just banned the purchase and use of fireworks by ordinary citizens to protect people, animals, and the environment

"Feeling chirpy: how listening to birdsong can boost your wellbeing"
#Birds #Nature #Environment

"A field of wheat becomes the world’s largest living photograph"
#Environment
https://www.positive.news/environment/a-field-…

A field of wheat becomes the world’s largest living photograph - Positive News
Farming Photographs will see a field divided into ‘pixels’ of different wheats to grow a photographic-style artwork

Sunscreen produces persistent free radicals when exposed to light, study finds #environment

Sunscreen produces persistent free radicals when exposed to light, study finds
Research from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences explores how common sunscreen ingredients behave under light exposure. Led by associate professor Eric Vejerano, the team tested seven commercially available sunscreens (including four mineral-based formulas) and found that every sample produced persistent free radicals (PFRs) when exposed to artificial light. The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, provides new insight into sunscreen photochemistry and ma…

Forests don’t just store carbon. They keep people alive, scientists say https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/forests-dont-just-store-carbon-they-keep-people-alive-scientists-say/

Forests don’t just store carbon. They keep people alive, scientists say
For decades, a dominant argument for protecting forests has focused on carbon. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, store it in wood and soils, and slow the accumulation of greenhouse gases. A new scientific review suggests this emphasis overlooks other ways forests shape climate and human well-being. Forests, it argues, are not only a mitigation tool for […]

"War Brings Black Rain to a Parched Iran"
#Iran #Environment
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/iran-war-

War Brings Black Rain to a Parched Iran

"Marine protected areas expanded in 2025, but still far from 30% goal"
#Oceans #Environment

Marine protected areas expanded in 2025, but still far from 30% goal
In December 2022, nearly 200 nations committed to protecting 30% of Earth’s lands and waters by 2030. As of 2025, about 9.6% of the world’s oceans are now covered by marine protected areas, according to the latest global tracking data by the World Database on Protected Areas. This marks a 1.2% increase in 2025, up […]

When bushfires make their own weather #environment

When bushfires make their own weather
Bushfires are strongly driven by weather: hot, dry and windy conditions can combine to create the perfect environment for flames to spread across the landscape.

"Tree planting can combat urban heat, but some neighborhoods are falling behind"
#Trees #Environment
https://

Tree planting can combat urban heat, but some neighborhoods are falling behind
Sydney communities may be missing out on crucial tree planting projects intended to combat urban heat, leaving western and eastern parts of Greater Sydney with less protection from extreme heat, a University of Sydney-led study has revealed. In a surprising finding, the researchers found that while Greater Sydney's total tree canopy increased by 4.2% from 1.514 billion square meters to 1.578 billion square meters between 2016 and 2022, this growth was not evenly distributed.

"From forest to flatpack, IKEA faces timber traceability test under EUDR"
#Ikea #Wood #Environment

From forest to flatpack, IKEA faces timber traceability test under EUDR
Furniture giant IKEA is famous for its wood products, but it may soon need to tighten oversight of its supply chains due to the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation that comes into force at the end of this year. The Swedish company sources timber from both inside and outside the EU, with major source markets including […]

Plastic—when a miracle technology becomes a burden #environment

Plastic—when a miracle technology becomes a burden
Plastic is everywhere in modern society. While it has paved the way for enormous progress, the pollution it leaves behind is now creating major challenges.

"Tackling air pollution should be part of government work to cut cancer rates, scientists say"
#Pollution #AirPollution #Environment

"Nearly three-quarters of England’s woods inaccessible to public, study finds"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Environment #Nature

"Government’s wildlife targets will be missed in England, watchdog says"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Environment #Renewables

Half of the world's coral reefs suffered major bleaching during the 2014–2017 global heat wave, estimates suggest https://phys.org/news/2026-02-world-coral-reefs-major-global.html

Half of the world's coral reefs suffered major bleaching during the 2014–2017 global heat wave, estimates suggest
Benefits to society from coral reefs, including fisheries, tourism, coastal protection, pharmaceutical discovery and more, are estimated at about $9.8 trillion per year. For the first time, an international team led by Smithsonian researchers estimated the extent of coral bleaching worldwide during a global marine heat wave, finding that half of the world's reefs experienced significant damage. Another heat wave began in 2023 and is ongoing.

"Once-in-a-Decade Superbloom Carpets Death Valley in Beautiful, Colorful Life (LOOK)"
#Environment #Nature

Once-in-a-Decade Superbloom Carpets Death Valley in Life, Beautiful, Colorful Life
In lower elevations the blooms are already bursting, and will continue to be vibrant until around late March.

Seabirds ingest large quantities of pollutants—some of which have been banned for decades—liver analyses reveal https://phys.org/news/2026-02-seabirds-ingest-large-quantities-pollutants.html

Seabirds ingest large quantities of pollutants—some of which have been banned for decades—liver analyses reveal
In her 1962 book, "Silent Spring," American biologist Rachel Carson revealed that DDT, a widely used pesticide at the time, was responsible for the mass death of birds, including the iconic bald eagle. One reason was that the pesticide made eggshells thinner, causing mothers to break them when sitting on them to incubate. Silent Spring is considered the founding work of the modern environmental movement.

"Bombing of Iran’s oil infrastructure to have major environmental fallout, experts warn"
#Iran #Environment

"IPBES report: Only 1% of companies reporting their nature impacts"
#Nature #Business #Environment

Extreme weather is hitting baby birds hard in a 60-year study #environment

Extreme weather is hitting baby birds hard in a 60-year study
Decades of data from over 80,000 great tits reveal that extreme weather can shape the fate of baby birds. Cold snaps soon after hatching and heavy rain later in development shrink nestling body mass and reduce survival odds. But moderate warm spells can actually help chicks grow by boosting insect activity and feeding opportunities. Birds that breed earlier in the season seem better protected from these weather shocks.

"Ocean Twilight Zone Protection Gains Ground as Global Conservation Body Votes for Safeguards"
#Conservation #Oceans #Environment

Ocean Twilight Zone Protection Gains Ground as Global Conservation Body Votes for Safeguards | Happy Eco News
The ocean twilight zone receives new protections after the IUCN votes for a precautionary pause on fishing expansion.

Forests are changing fast and scientists are deeply concerned #environment

Forests are changing fast and scientists are deeply concerned
Forests around the world are quietly transforming, and not for the better. A massive global analysis of more than 31,000 tree species reveals that forests are becoming more uniform, increasingly dominated by fast-growing “sprinter” trees, while slow-growing, long-lived species are disappearing. These slower species act as the backbone of forest ecosystems, storing carbon, stabilizing environments, and supporting rich webs of life—especially in tropical regions where biodiversity is highes…

Most people believe climate change primarily affects others #environment

Most people believe climate change primarily affects others
Research conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg shows that people tend to rate their own risk of being affected by climate change as lower than that of others. This perception may reduce individuals' willingness to act and slow down necessary climate measures.

"‘In Romania now, you don’t see a bottle anywhere’"
#Romania #Environment
https://www.

Romania’s recycling revolution lifts off
A deposit return scheme for drink bottles and cans in Romania has proved a game-changer, with an astonishing 94% of containers now recycled

"Inside the National Trust’s ten-year plan for 250,000 hectares of nature"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Environment

Tree bark microbes also clean the air by removing greenhouse and toxic gases #environment…

Tree bark microbes also clean the air by removing greenhouse and toxic gases
Australian researchers have discovered a hidden climate superpower of trees. Their bark harbors trillions of microbes that help scrub the air of greenhouse and toxic gases.

"Chronic ocean heating fuels ‘staggering’ loss of marine life, study finds"
#Oceans #Environment

"Study finds biodiversity credits could boost rewilding, but fall far short"
#Environment #Biodiversity #Nature

Study finds biodiversity credits could boost rewilding, but fall far short
Payments that enable landowners to rewild ecologically degraded land—in the form of biodiversity credits bought by investors wishing to offset their impact on nature—could be an effective component of the emerging market for nature recovery, but will not work as a standalone approach.

"Citizen scientists discover a Great Barrier Reef coral giant ‘like a rolling meadow’"
#GreatBarrierReef #Environment #Oceans

"‘It’s not just about the numbers’: Can the world conserve 30% of oceans by the end of the decade?"
#Oceans #Environment

Drinking water at risk long after wildfires, study warns #environment

Drinking water at risk long after wildfires, study warns
Canada's drinking water can remain at risk long after wildfires burn out, according to a UBC-led global review that found water-quality impacts often emerge months or years later—not just immediately after a fire. Researchers analyzed 23 studies across 28 watersheds worldwide, comparing pre- and post-fire levels of sediment, nutrients, metals, organic carbon, ions and wildfire-fighting chemicals. Across climates, contamination often intensified over time, particularly when storms or snowmelt …

"How green is your milk? We compare the environmental cost of dairy and plant-based options"
#Milk #Food #Environment

Wild Garden 2025 #nature #environment

"7 hopeful wildlife sightings that researchers celebrated in 2025"
#Environment #Nature #Wildlife

7 hopeful wildlife sightings that researchers celebrated in 2025
Once in a while, an animal shows up where it’s least expected, including places from where it was thought to have gone extinct. These rare sightings bring hope — but also fresh concerns. These are some of the wildlife sightings Mongabay reported on in 2025. Colossal squid recorded for the first time in its deep-sea […]

Smarter mangrove protection: Study links a 7.3% area boost to 13.3% resilience gain #environment

Smarter mangrove protection: Study links a 7.3% area boost to 13.3% resilience gain
A global study of mangroves has found that a modest boost in conserved areas could significantly increase their ability to adapt to the changing climate, including rising sea levels. University of Queensland Ph.D. candidate Alvise Dabalà led the analysis, which showed that safeguarding the coastal mangrove ecosystem didn't require huge expansions in protected areas, just smarter planning. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.

"Light pollution could worsen allergy seasons, new study suggests"
#Pollution #Environment

Light pollution could worsen allergy seasons, new study suggests
Light pollution may do more than disrupt wildlife: new research finds it can extend pollen seasons, increasing allergy risks and public health costs.

Northern hemisphere snow cover is shrinking—new analysis tracks how fast #environment

Northern hemisphere snow cover is shrinking—new analysis tracks how fast
Faculty at Mississippi State University are continuing work at the intersection of mathematics, statistics, and climate science with the publication of a new study examining regional snow cover trends across the Northern Hemisphere. The results suggest shrinking snow coverage as well as seasonal shifts for when the wintry layer comes and goes. The study, "Regional Analysis of Snow Presence Trends in the Northern Hemisphere," was published in January in the Journal of Hydrometeorology.

"Tree Bark Microbes and Climate Gases Reveal Hidden Forest Climate Regulation"
#Trees #Environment
https://

Tree Bark Microbes and Climate Gases Reveal Hidden Forest Climate Regulation | Happy Eco News
New research shows that tree bark microbes and climate gases like methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide are closely linked, revealing an overlooked forest mechanism that helps regulate the atmosphere and may refine climate models.

Plastic pellets known as 'nurdles' are polluting beaches and waterways #environment

Plastic pellets known as 'nurdles' are polluting beaches and waterways
Aboard an aluminum skiff or one of her five kayaks, fourth-generation shrimper and fisherwoman Diane Wilson often plies the coastal bays and streams near her tiny hometown of Seadrift, Texas.

"Channel 4’s Dirty Business is a clarion call to nationalise the water industry - Sandra Laville"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #Environment

"Scientists sound alarm over Europe's forests as 216,000 hectares at risk - even if warming halts"
#Europe #Environment #Nature

‘Unprecedented’: Scientists sound climate alarm over Europe’s forests
More than 200,000 hectares of European forests could be disturbed annually by 2100, according to a new study.

"The Ocean Cleanup removed a record 25 million kilos of plastic in 2025 (and they’re just getting started)"
#Oceans #Environment #Plastic

The Ocean Cleanup removed a record 25 million kilos of plastic in 2025 (and they’re just getting started) | The Optimist Daily
With 25 million kilos of plastic removed in 2025 alone, The Ocean Cleanup is scaling up efforts to tackle plastic pollution from rivers to open ocean.

Yes, forest trees die of old age. But the warming climate is killing them faster #environment

Yes, forest trees die of old age. But the warming climate is killing them faster
Across Australia, forests are quietly changing. Trees that once stood for decades or centuries are now dying at an accelerating rate. And this is not because of fire, storms, or logging. The chronic stress of a warming climate is killing them.

"Species Slowdown: Is Nature’s Ability to Self-Repair Stalling?"
#Nature #Environment
https://e360.yale…

Species Slowdown: Is Nature’s Ability to Self-Repair Stalling?
When scientists recently analyzed hundreds of studies of ecosystems, they were surprised to see a marked slowing in the rate of species turnover. If new species don’t replace old ones, they say, ecosystems may have less flexibility to respond to habitat loss and climate change.

"Seagrass restoration in Malaysia finds multi-species approach boosts recovery"
#Malaysia #Environment

Seagrass restoration in Malaysia finds multi-species approach boosts recovery
In the shallow waters off Johor Bahru’s rapidly urbanizing shoreline in Peninsular Malaysia, a busy assemblage of crabs, marine worms and mollusks are a sign of recovery. Just over a decade ago, the wafting seagrass meadow they now inhabit had been laid waste by development. In 2014, dredgers working on a massive land reclamation project […]

PFAS found in most americans linked to rapid biological aging #environment

PFAS found in most americans linked to rapid biological aging
“Forever chemicals” known as PFAS have quietly infiltrated everything from nonstick pans to food packaging—and now new research suggests some of them may be speeding up the aging process itself. In a nationally representative U.S. study, two lesser-known PFAS compounds, PFNA and PFOSA, were found in 95% of participants and strongly linked to faster biological aging in men aged 50 to 64.

"How the oceans’ coral reefs could be the secret weapon to tackle food insecurity around the world"
#Oceans #Environment #Coral

Healthy coral reefs could feed millions every year, finds study
Overfishing and global warming are depleting food from our oceans, but rebuilding reef life could help provide millions of meals every year.

Wildfires are polluting the air far more than thought #environment

Wildfires are polluting the air far more than thought
Scientists have discovered that wildfires release far more air-polluting gases than previously estimated. Many of these hidden emissions can transform into fine particles that are dangerous to breathe. The study shows wildfire pollution rivals human-made emissions in some parts of the world. This helps explain why wildfire smoke can linger and worsen air quality long after the flames are gone.

"Plagued by Flooding, an African City Reengineers Its Wetlands"
#Africa #Wetlands #Environment

Plagued by Flooding, an African City Reengineers Its Wetlands
As climate change and urbanization intensify flooding in Rwanda, the hilly capital of Kigali has embraced nature-based solutions. The city is restoring and reshaping 18,000 acres of degraded wetlands, planting native species to filter and slow runoff and enhancing biodiversity.

The rain in Spain was worst in nearly 50 years #Spain

The rain in Spain was worst in nearly 50 years
Spain endured its wettest January and February in almost half a century, with a string of deadly storms lashing the country, national weather agency AEMET said Thursday.

"Thousands of pollution incidents in England downgraded without site visit, data suggests"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #England

“How a 1930s house was turned into a carbon-negative home”
#Houses #Environment
https://www.

How a 1930s home was retrofit to become carbon negative - Positive News
New regulations promise zero-carbon-ready homes, but the real work lies in retrofitting Britain’s ageing and inefficient properties

Global plastics treaty negotiations: Success is still possible, researchers argue #environment …

Global plastics treaty negotiations: Success is still possible, researchers argue
Plastic pollution is causing severe problems worldwide. However, negotiations at the United Nations in Geneva last August did not result in the expected global plastics treaty. On 7 February 2026, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution will reconvene in Geneva to elect a new chairperson. In order to secure an agreement, the new chairperson must urgently reform INC procedures, argue researchers.

"Environmental trade-offs of biodegradable plastics revealed"
#Plastic #Plastics #Environment

Environmental trade-offs of biodegradable plastics revealed
Switching to biodegradable plastics could slash toxic pollution by more than a third and dramatically reduce global waste by mid-century, but only if cities and companies invest in the right disposal systems, a Yale School of the Environment study found. Without proper composting facilities, biodegradable plastics could double greenhouse gas emissions.

Modeling finds old-growth wildfire risk highest where low-severity fires once burned #environment

Modeling finds old-growth wildfire risk highest where low-severity fires once burned
A new analysis shows that the Pacific Northwest's mature and old-growth forests are most at risk of severe wildfire in areas that historically burned frequently at lower severity. The study by scientists at Oregon State University and USDA Forest Service Research & Development is important because those forests are culturally, economically and ecologically significant, supporting biodiversity while storing vast amounts of carbon, and they are under increasing threat of stand-replacing wildfire.

"Kenyan woman hugs a tree for 3 days and inspires a movement"
#Kenya #Trees #Environment

Kenyan woman hugs a tree for 3 days and inspires a movement
Kenyan environmentalist Truphena Muthoni set a Guinness World Record by hugging a tree for 72 hours, sparking a nationwide movement of tree hugging.

"Amazon deforestation may rise 30% as major traders exit historic soy pact"
#Amazon #Deforestation #Environment

Amazon deforestation may rise 30% as major traders exit historic soy pact
As global soy giants walk away from a landmark pact, land grabbers move in to clear the forest for new crops.

E-waste chemicals are appearing in dolphins and porpoises #environment

E-waste chemicals are appearing in dolphins and porpoises
Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are critical components of laptop, television, and smartphone screens. Given their ubiquity in the environment, these compounds are considered persistent pollutants, posing threats to marine life that scientists want to understand. Research published in Environmental Science & Technology provides initial evidence that LCMs from household electronics or electronic waste (e-waste) can accumulate in dolphin and porpoise tissues, including blubber, muscle, and brain, …

Some bottled water is worse than tap for microplastics, study shows #environment

Some bottled water is worse than tap for microplastics, study shows
Some brands of bottled water contain significantly higher levels of microplastics than tap water, according to new research by scientists who have developed a novel method for detecting these tiny particles.

"Wood burning pollution leads to 8,600 premature US deaths a year, study finds"
#Environment #WoodBurners #Pollution

New metric reveals the true water footprint of corporations #environment

New metric reveals the true water footprint of corporations
Thousands of companies around the world now regularly disclose aspects of their water use as part of corporate commitments to environmental, social, and governance goals. Yet reliable measures of corporate water withdrawals and discharges—and their impacts on local water quality and ecosystems—have been limited.

"India Says Its Grasslands Are ‘Wastelands.’ Medieval Folklore Suggests Otherwise"
#India #Environment
https://

India Says Its Grasslands Are 'Wastelands.' Medieval Folklore Suggests Otherwise

"Urban trees can absorb more CO₂ than cars emit on some summer days, Munich study shows"
#Trees #Environment #Climate

Urban trees can absorb more CO₂ than cars emit on some summer days, Munich study shows
How much carbon dioxide do parks and individual trees in cities absorb, and how much do they release? To answer this question, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a high-resolution CO₂ biogenic flux model. Their findings show that, on average, around 2% of Munich's annual urban emissions are compensated by vegetation. Urban trees have the greatest impact, whereas grassy areas are often net sources of CO₂.

Satellite record shows boreal forests expanded 12% and shifted north since 1985 #environment

Satellite record shows boreal forests expanded 12% and shifted north since 1985
The boreal forest—the world's largest terrestrial biome—is warming faster than any other forest type. To understand the changing dynamics of boreal forests, Min Feng and colleagues analyzed the biome from 1985 to 2020, leveraging the longest and highest-resolution satellite record of calibrated tree cover to date. The study, published in Biogeosciences with four co-authors from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, confirms a northward shift in boreal forest cover over the past four decades.

Scientists call for 'systems reset' to redefine sustainable development #environment

Scientists call for 'systems reset' to redefine sustainable development
A new international study calls for a fundamental reset in how humanity understands and pursues sustainable development. The article is published in the journal Communications Sustainability.

"In the world's driest desert, Chile freezes its future to protect plants"
#Chile #Plants #Environment

"Community Mangrove Reforestation Revives Coastal Forests in the Philippines"
#Phillippines #Trees #Environment

Community Mangrove Reforestation Revives Coastal Forests in the Philippines | Happy Eco News
Community mangrove reforestation in Tacloban, Philippines, achieved an 80% forest increase within a decade after Super Typhoon Haiyan.

"Traces of cancer-linked pesticide found in tests at UK playgrounds"
#Environment #Health
…

"74 Nations Complete High Seas Treaty Ratification to Protect Two-Thirds of the World’s Oceans"
#Oceans #Environment

74 Nations Complete High Seas Treaty Ratification to Protect Two-Thirds of the World's Oceans | Happy Eco News
The high seas treaty ratification by 74 nations brings a historic ocean protection agreement into force on January 17, 2025, covering two-thirds of the world's oceans with new conservation rules.

"Antarctica has lost 10 times the size of Greater Los Angeles in ice over 30 years, satellite data reveal"
#Antarctica #Environment #Climate

Antarctica has lost 10 times the size of Greater Los Angeles in ice over 30 years, satellite data reveal
A comprehensive 30-year study led by University of California, Irvine glaciologists has produced a circumpolar ice grounding line migration map of Antarctica. An amalgamation of three decades of satellite data compiled and analyzed by the researchers revealed that while most of Antarctica remains remarkably stable, vulnerable sectors are losing grounded ice equivalent to the size of Greater Los Angeles every three years.

"Plastic patrol: the citizen scientists tackling litter in Australian waterways"
#Australia #Litter #Environment

"Coral Reefs are Coming Back"
#CoralReefs #Environment #Oceans

"‘A celebration for the bugs’: Flowers burst into colour after southern Spain’s record rainfall"
#Spain #Environment #Nature

Vibrant wildflowers transform arid southern Spain after heavy rains
While beautiful, the swathes of invasive yellow flowers are an environmental concern.

"Norway’s Deep Sea Mining Ban Strengthens Global Movement for Ocean Protection"
#Norway #Oceans #Environment

Norway's Deep Sea Mining Ban Strengthens Global Movement for Ocean Protection | Happy Eco News
Norway's deep sea mining ban will protect Arctic waters until 2029 after environmental pressure and green party negotiations. The decision ends public funding for mineral mapping and strengthens global resistance to ocean floor extraction. Over 40 countries now support pausing deep sea mining while recycling alternatives could provide needed minerals without environmental destruction.

"Deforestation leads to more extreme weather events in the Amazon region"
#AmazonRainforest #Trees #Environment

Deforestation leads to more extreme weather events in the Amazon region
From a bird's eye view, the Amazon rainforest appears as a lush green mosaic of treetops stretching as far as the eye can see. It is home to countless animal and plant species, many of which are endemic, and the forest plays an important role in the global climate as a carbon sink. However, deforestation threatens to destroy this unique ecosystem and its important functions. One-fifth of the area has already been cleared, and there is no end in sight to this intensive use. This has serious cons…

"Air pollution crosses borders, and so must the policies aimed at tackling it"
#Pollution #AirPollution #Environment

Air pollution crosses borders, and so must the policies aimed at tackling it
Parts of India, including the capital Delhi, were once again covered in thick smog recently as toxic pollution from industry and crop-burning engulfed the region. Even though India's National Clean Air Program has advanced clean air action, air pollution remains a reoccurring problem.

"Grasslands are vanishing nearly four times faster than forests, global study finds"
#Grasslands #Environment
https://…

Grasslands are vanishing nearly four times faster than forests, global study finds
Along with forests, grasslands and wetlands are also being converted to cropland and pasture at an increasing rate around the world—often for livestock farming and the export of agricultural products. An international team of researchers, including Martin Persson from Chalmers, has now analyzed for the first time where, for what purpose, and how quickly natural non-forest ecosystems are being converted into agricultural land on a global scale. The results show that these ecologically highly v…