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China has launched a new high-precision Earth observation satellite designed to monitor greenhouse gases with far greater accuracy than earlier systems, marking a significant upgrade in space-based climate tracking. The satellite uses hyperspectral sensing technology to detect subtle changes in sunlight reflected from Earth’s surface and atmosphere, allowing it to estimate concentrations of carbon dioxide […]

In the United States, scientists and agricultural economists are increasingly highlighting the untapped value locked in human sewage and livestock manure as a replacement for synthetic fertilisers. These waste streams contain large quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—the core nutrients used in industrial agriculture. Current estimates suggest that if fully recovered and processed, they could

In tropical regions such as Brazil, ecologists are increasingly using acoustic monitoring to track forest recovery, capturing thousands of hours of environmental sound to measure biodiversity in real time. Microphones placed in regenerating forests record everything from insect stridulation and amphibian calls to bird diversity across day-night cycles. Scientists have found that these “soundscapes” often

Beneath forests, grasslands, and even some crops lies a vast living network of mycorrhizal fungi that connects plant roots in a symbiotic system often compared to a natural internet. These fungi trade minerals and water for carbon from plants, forming relationships that can extend across kilometres of soil. In mature forests, up to 80–90% of

In Finland, a simple material—sand—is being used to tackle one of renewable energy’s toughest problems: long-term storage. The so-called “sand battery,” developed by Polar Night Energy, stores excess wind and solar power by converting it into heat and packing it into large insulated silos filled with sand, where temperatures can climb above 400°C. Until now,

In some of the driest parts of the world, solar farms may soon do more than generate electricity—they could become decentralized water producers. Researchers are developing integrated systems where photovoltaic panels power atmospheric water harvesting units that extract moisture directly from air, even at low humidity levels (as low as 10–20%). These systems use advanced

Australia is often called the sunniest continent on Earth, yet a large share of its solar potential remains underused—like a crop left unharvested. The country leads the world in rooftop solar adoption, with more than 3.5 million homes generating power, but much of this energy never reaches its full value. At times of peak sunshine,

A key financial backer of Australia’s large-scale green hydrogen projects has raised new capital to develop a “digital twin” system—a detailed virtual model that mirrors how this massive energy hubs will operate in the real world. Designed for projects spanning vast regions and billions in investment, the technology allows developers to test everything from renewable

After a punishing summer of unprecedented heat, Japan has introduced a new word—“kokushobi”—to describe days when temperatures hit 40°C or higher. The term, which conveys a sense of “severe” or “cruel” heat, was chosen through a public vote, reflecting how ordinary language is evolving to keep pace with extraordinary weather. What was once rare is

In the misty slopes of the Himalayan foothills in Darjeeling, one of the world’s most prized teas is undergoing subtle but significant changes as the climate shifts. Growers report that rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and more frequent dry spells are altering the delicate balance of conditions needed for high-quality tea leaves. Darjeeling tea—famous for its