Biodiversity Why the nature crisis matters, in five graphics

Biodiversity: Why the nature crisis matters, in five graphics. Human activities are destroying the natural world, leading to the extinction of animal and plant species at an alarming rate. Now, world leaders are promising action to tackle the problem. But will it be enough? Human activities are destroying the natural world, leading to the extinction

Extinction crisis: World leaders say it is time to act

World leaders say it is time to act. As nearly 150 global leaders lined up – virtually – to address Wednesday’s UN biodiversity summit, the stakes could not have been higher. As nearly 150 global leaders lined up – virtually – to address Wednesday’s UN biodiversity summit, the stakes could not have been higher.  “The house is

Plastic pollution to weigh 1.3 billion tonnes by 2040

An estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of plastic is destined for our environment – both on land and in the ocean – by 2040, unless worldwide action is taken.  That’s according to a global model of the scale of the plastic problem over the next 20 years.  Dr Costas Velis from the University of Leeds said the

Why plastic is a deadly attraction for sea turtles

  Scientists have new evidence to explain why plastic is dangerous to sea turtles: the animals mistake the scent of plastic for food. Thus, a plastic bag floating in the sea not only looks like a jellyfish snack, but it gives off a similar odour. This “olfactory trap” might help explain why sea turtles are

Scottish project tackles ‘environmental impact’ of pills

A new Scottish health project aims to tackle potential harm caused to the environment by pharmaceuticals. An estimated 100 million treatments are prescribed every year in Scotland. After a pill passes through a person’s body, some of its compounds reach rivers, lochs and the sea because waste water plants cannot filter them out. While the