World’s glaciers melting at fastest rate yet

The world’s glaciers are melting at record rates, threatening the lives of the millions of people who depend on them for their water supplies, according to the latest figures from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
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GPS: an atmosphere thermometer

Two UK meteorologists have developed a new method of monitoring the effects of climate change in the Earth’s atmosphere using GPS satellites.Read on

Arctic ice in rapid retreat

An area twice the size of France has melted from the Arctic ice cap during the past two years, according to research by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Paris, France, and this year could see further losses.Read on

Crop losses set to affect world’s poorest regions

Many of the world’s poorest regions could face severe crop losses in the next two decades unless steps are taken to adapt agriculture to a changing climate, according to new research published in the journal Science. Read on

Carbon neutral chemical production

Using biotechnology to make certain commonly used chemicals could cut the amount of carbon emitted during their production by as much as 100 per cent, according to a new studyRead on

Looking back to 2007, a year of extremes

Meteorological records for last year show that 2007 was a year of extreme weather, with many average temperature and precipitation records being exceeded Read on

Protecting peatlands could cut emissions

Cleaning, draining and burning peat bogs emits the equivalent of ten per cent of global emissions from fossil fuels, according to a UNEP reportRead on

Tropics getting wider

Global climate change has caused the tropics to widen by between two and 4.8 degrees of latitude since 1979, new research carried out by US scientists suggestsRead on

Domestic turbines a load of hot air

Micro-wind turbines for domestic electricity generation could create more carbon dioxide than they save, according to the Building Research Establishment TrustRead on

UK's carbon emissions rising

A new report suggests that the UK’s apparent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is based on incomplete figures that mask a substantial increase in recent yearsRead on

Isle of Wight aims for carbon neutrality

The council in charge of the Isle of Wight has announced plans to power the island entirely by locally produced green energyRead on

Mass extinctions predicted

Half of all plant and animal species could be forced into extinction by rising global temperatures, mirroring five climate-triggered mass extinctions of the past, according to new researchRead on

Hard facts on cement industry emissions

The cement industry has largely escaped the attention of the world’s media and environmental campaigners despite contributing a higher percentage of global carbon emissions than the aviation industryRead on

Scientists to 'scrub' the atmosphere clean

Two scientists from the USA’s Columbia University in New York have identified a method of ‘scrubbing’ carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphereRead on

Climate 'mega disaster' hits

Dire predictions for the impact of climate change are being realised following a record number of climate-related disasters this year, according to the UN’s emergency relief co-ordinator, Sir John HolmesRead on

Irrigation keeping California cool

A new study in the USA, conducted by scientists from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, has shown that intensive irrigation in rural areas lowers local air temperaturesRead on

Chip fat to oil McDonald's delivery chain

McDonald’s is to run its UK fleet of delivery vehicles largely on old chip fatRead on

Sun activity and climate change: no link

A new study of solar activity has removed the central pillar supporting arguments that human activity isn’t responsible for global warmingRead on

Melting icebergs offsetting emissions

Melting ice masses that have broken away from Antarctica are acting as nutrient-rich islands that support a wealth of marine life, including carbon-dioxide-absorbing phytoplankton, according to a new study Read on

‘Cyber carbon footprint’ as bad as airlines

The UK government is considering new proposals to reduce the ‘cyber carbon footprint’ caused by the building, running and disposal of computers in a bid to meet its carbon-reduction targetsRead on

77,000 annual global warming deaths in Asia-Pacific

A recent report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that around 77,000 deaths a year in Asia and the Pacific region can be directly or indirectly attributed to global warming Read on

Vatican looks to heavenly body for power

The Vatican City, headquarters of the Roman Catholic church, is doing its bit for the environmentRead on

Oceans and plants consuming less carbon

Two independent studies by British scientists have shown that the world’s natural carbon absorbers – the oceans and plants – are becoming less efficient at mopping up emissions because of global warmingRead on

Fight climate change, save lives, says WHO

Nations that combat climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions would benefit from a cleaner, greener environment, as well as better health prospects, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)Read on

Marine mammals under threat

Climate change is threatening to force a number of marine mammal species towards extinction, according to a new study from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)Read on

Wither our woodlands?

If the current warming trend continues, some of Britain’s best-loved plants could face extinction by the middle of this century, according to new research.Read on

Flushing away the problem

Human waste could soon be powering diesel engines and boilersRead on

No gold medals for UK

The UK needs to do more if it is to realistically reduce its impact on global climate changeRead on