Australia is facing prolonged bushfire seasons that occur earlier due to climate change. As global temperatures rise, Australian summers are becoming hotter and drier with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. This, coupled with drought conditions, creates a dangerous scenario, with the bushland becoming more prone to rapid, out-of-control fires that endanger lives, wildlife, and infrastructure. While bushfires in Australia have been part…
Habitat loss for bees due to human activities like agriculture, urbanization, pesticides and climate change poses a significant threat to their population and global food security. Bees are essential for pollinating crops, including apples, almonds, and blueberries, and without bees, yields would be lower, leading to food shortages and an increase in prices. Additionally, habitat loss for bees can have…
Protecting forests is a key strategy in combating climate change, as they play a crucial role in mitigating climate change in several ways. Forests absorb carbon dioxide, provide a natural cooling effect, and are crucial to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. However, forests are still under threat from a variety of factors, including agricultural expansion, mining and unsustainable logging practices. Protecting…
The National Park Service (NPS) has introduced minimum waste reduction targets for each park to reduce the amount of rubbish generated by visitors by 90% by 2025. The increase in tourism has impacted the environment of the parks, causing a surge in waste that includes single-use plastics and packaging. The NPS policy will identify areas of concern and establish plans…
Nature reserves play an essential role in protecting biodiversity and preserving natural habitats from human influence. The Xingu Nature Reserve in Brazil is home to a diverse range of mammals, birds, and reptiles, as well as over 3,000 species of plants. The reserve is threatened by illegal logging, mining, agriculture, and encroachment from indigenous settlements. The Brazilian government has implemented…
A new study, the most comprehensive analysis of wilderness and biodiversity conservation to date, has detailed the importance of preserving, protecting, and restoring wilderness areas to support many species of plants and animals and their ecosystem functions and services. The study covering 6,079 scientific publications and 1,395 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates worldwide found that wilderness…
Deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado biome has increased by 13.7% in H1 2021 compared to the same period last year, according to non-profit Imazon. Agricultural expansion — particularly soybean and cattle production — is a major cause, and the clearing of land releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. The Cerrado biome, which is home to an…
Agricultural practices such as tillage, fertilization, and the use of pesticides and herbicides can have significant impacts on soil health and ecosystem equilibrium. Tillage and monoculture practices can lead to soil compaction, reduced water infiltration, and decreased soil productivity. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides can harm non-target organisms, reduce biodiversity, and cause eutrophication. Sustainable agricultural practices such as crop rotation, cover…
Rising sea levels caused by climate change are threatening indigenous communities in the low-lying Pacific Islands, such as Kiribati and Tuvalu. The melting of polar ice caps and warming of water is causing saltwater intrusion to freshwater sources, which affects both agriculture and fishing; the livelihoods on which these communities rely. In the short-term, adaptation measures include building seawalls, planting…
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have discovered a compound in Sweet Wormwood, a traditional Chinese medicine used for centuries to treat various ailments, that has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Artemisinin has been effective in treating a range of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma, and has been found to induce programmed cell death in…