science news

Africa must prove climate adaptation is saving lives, not just spending money
science

Africa must prove climate adaptation is saving lives, not just spending money

For Dr Richard Munang, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), these are the realities that must shape how Africa measures progress on climate adaptation. The three-day workshop, held from 22 to 24 October 2026 at the West African Genetic Medicine Centre, brought together African climate negotiators, government officials, technical experts and representatives of the United Nations University and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Read →
‘It’s magic’: scientists rediscover how to make ancient Roman colour-changing glass
science

‘It’s magic’: scientists rediscover how to make ancient Roman colour-changing glass

Exclusive: Optical engineering that went into 1,600-year-old Lycurgus Cup has baffled experts for centuries The Romans’ proficiency in the art of glass-making has produced some of the wonders of antiquity, but few of their creations better a 1,600-year-old masterpiece which sits in the British Museum. Depending on where a light source is positioned, the Lycurgus Cup changes colour, from jade green under normal lighting to ruby red when lit from behind – an astonishing feat of optical engineering that has confounded historians and glass-makers for centuries.

Read →
Ukraine’s military says Starlink satellite connection stable after recent restrictions
science

Ukraine’s military says Starlink satellite connection stable after recent restrictions

Volodymyr Zelenskyy offers thanks to US allies for restoring system key to air defence and ‘frontline logistics’ Ukraine’s military has a “stable connection to Starlink”, the Ukrainian government said on Saturday, 10 days after its ability to use the satellite communications system was suddenly restricted. The Starlink satellite terminals, which are produced by Elon Musk’s SpaceX but managed by the US government, are a key component of Ukraine’s military operations.

Read →
‘False autumn’: stressed trees drop leaves early after scorching English summer
science

‘False autumn’: stressed trees drop leaves early after scorching English summer

Season will be less vibrant with trees such as birches, which usually offer a striking burst of yellow leaves, already bare Among a canvas of copper, red and purple autumn leaves on display at Wisley garden in Surrey, south-east England, one tree stands conspicuously naked. “The birch has lost all its leaves,” says Guy Barter, the chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society.

Read →
World must cut emissions 18% in four years to find a way back below 1.5°C – UN 2026 Emissions Gap Report
science

World must cut emissions 18% in four years to find a way back below 1.5°C – UN 2026 Emissions Gap Report

Looking further ahead, the lab projects that Sahel countries such as Niger and Burkina Faso could see 60 or more heat deaths for every 100,000 people each year by 2050, a higher rate than malaria causes in Africa today. A study in Nature, promoted by the University of Chicago and co-written by Climate Impact Lab researchers, found that some very hot West African and Sahel countries are becoming too hot for malaria-carrying mosquitoes, while risk is climbing in the cooler highlands of East Africa and in southern Africa.

Read →
Climate x Culture Summit brings creatives, sustainability experts together to advance sustainability in Africa
science

Climate x Culture Summit brings creatives, sustainability experts together to advance sustainability in Africa

The summit opened with remarks from CultureJoint founder and Climate x Culture Summit Lead, Kenneth Awotwe Darko, followed by a keynote address from Ruth Dzokoto, representing the Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability. Messages of solidarity were delivered by renowned media executive and culture entrepreneur Ruddy Kwakye and Priscilla Adomaah Nsonwaah of the Centre for CSR, West Africa.

Read →
Ukraine troops report ongoing problems with Starlink satellite network
science

Ukraine troops report ongoing problems with Starlink satellite network

Communications system still faces speed restrictions despite Trump claim that Musk had resumed full service Trump, Musk, Zelenskyy: who is blaming who in the Ukraine-Starlink row? The slowdown, which has affected the key communications system used by Ukrainian troops, began last week after Trump and Starlink founder Musk publicly criticised Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, over continued strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Read →
Indonesia’s Haze Crisis Raises Accountability Demands On Corporate Firms
science

Indonesia’s Haze Crisis Raises Accountability Demands On Corporate Firms

Environmental group WALHI says it mapped “high confidence” hotspots across Indonesia using NASA fire data and found around 50 percent were inside concessions. “Fires originating outside our boundaries subsequently spread into areas under the Group’s management,” Singapore Exchange-listed palm oil company First Resources said after one of its concessions was listed in WALHI’s report.

Read →
Kenya, Four Neighbours Targeted in UNESCO $30m Climate Resilience Plan
science

Kenya, Four Neighbours Targeted in UNESCO $30m Climate Resilience Plan

NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 23 – UNESCO is preparing a $30 million (about Sh3.87 billion) regional climate-resilience project targeting Kenya and four other East African countries. Speaking on Thursday at the 24th Ordinary Meeting of the Sectoral Council on the Lake Victoria Basin in Kisumu, Haxthausen said the project would be developed in partnership with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and participating governments.

Read →
At Cop17, the pressure is on to rescue a deal that could end the destruction of nature
science

At Cop17, the pressure is on to rescue a deal that could end the destruction of nature

​As world leaders struggle to meet deadlines to halt nature loss set four years ago, a rare leopard in host country Armenia offers a symbol of what is at stake Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up here The Armenian capital Yerevan is chock-a-block right now with officials, scientists and environmentalists from all over the world gathering for Cop17.

Read →