Australia is experiencing one of its worst climate crises in decades, with massive wildfires raging across the country since September 2019. The fires have so far destroyed over 5,900 buildings and killed at least 34 people. The fires are fueled by Australia’s ongoing drought and record-breaking temperatures, which have been exacerbated by climate change. Human activities such as land clearing,…
Colombia’s biodiversity, with over 10% of the world’s species, is threatened by deforestation and habitat loss. In the past 20 years, the country has lost over 6 million hectares of tropical forests, which has particularly impacted endangered species. Some of the endangered species in Colombia include the Golden Lion Tamarin, Andean Condor, and Cotton-Top Tamarin. Protecting these species has social…
Forests provide important ecological services and are home to millions of species, but they face unprecedented pressure due to population growth, urbanisation and unsustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture technologies such as precision agriculture, vertical farming and agroforestry can improve crop yields while minimising environmental impact. Technologies for forest conservation such as forest monitoring, blockchain and eco-tourism can help to detect illegal…
The debate over oil and gas drilling in national parks pits environmental conservation against economic development. There are currently no national parks open for drilling in the US, but the Trump administration previously announced plans to start exploration in places such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Proponents of drilling argue that it boosts local communities through job creation and…
The Canadian government is proposing an additional 4,000 square kilometers of protection to the Edéhzhíe Indigenous Protected Area within the country’s boreal forest. The region is currently home to caribou and grizzly bears. However, as well as protecting wildlife habitats, the boreal forest helps to mitigate the effects of climate change, serves as a source of freshwater and is an…
The wilderness has long intrigued humans, who have sought new discoveries in the world’s deserts, rainforests, and tundras. The call of the wild is so strong because it takes people back to simpler times when they can reconnect with nature and enjoy a sense of tranquility and autonomy. Part of what attracts explorers is the potential for new discoveries. Many…
Florida’s unique Everglades ecosystem is facing an invasion of non-native species, which threaten the natural balance and can have a devastating impact on the local ecology. Invasive species, including plants such as Brazilian pepper and Old World climbing fern and animals like the Burmese python and Argentine black and white tegu, compete with and displace native species, alter the hydrology…
The Arctic permafrost, a layer of soil that covers a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere’s land, is melting rapidly due to warming temperatures, and it threatens the Arctic permafrost ecosystem. As the permafrost thaws, it causes unstable lands, flooding, and the release of methane and carbon dioxide. The ecosystem is being threatened, but it is also home to many plants,…
Coral reefs, one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet, are facing an existential threat due to climate change. Rising ocean temperatures and acidity levels are causing massive coral bleaching events where the symbiotic algae that live within coral tissues die off, ultimately leading to coral death. Additionally, ocean acidification is reducing the essential carbonate ions required…
The Prairie Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (PERI) aims to restore at least one million acres of native prairie in the United States’ Midwest over the next ten years. The plan relies on public-private partnerships, with non-governmental organizations, private landowners, and government agencies collaborating to restore the area. Methods used include seed bombing, controlled burning, grazing management, and removing invasive plant species….