Featured
Last news
In tiny US community, big questions about chemical recycling
On the banks of the Susquehanna river in rural Pennsylvania, a quiet, unassuming plot of land is the unlikely backdrop for a simmering debate over chemical recycling, a controversial process for dealing with plastic waste.
From the Israel-Hamas war to the Moon race: events that defined 2023
From Hamas's brutal attacks in Israel and the fierce retribution it provoked to the kiss that sparked a revolt in Spanish football, here are 10 events that marked a tumultuous 2023:
Native oysters return to Belfast after a century's absence
Long gone from Belfast's famed harbour where the Titanic was built, oysters are making a comeback thanks to a nursery installation project aimed at boosting marine life and water quality.
Russia's isolation takes toll on Arctic climate science
Glaciologist Andrew Hodson used to collaborate with his Russian colleagues in the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic, but snowmobile excursions to see them have come to a halt since the war in Ukraine.
Acapulco's cliff divers are back after deadly hurricane
With few tourists watching the daring feat, Abraham Estrada dives off La Quebrada, an emblematic Acapulco cliff where the spectacle has resumed but struggles to attract visitors after the Mexican resort was hammered by Hurricane Otis.
Pakistan uses artificial rain against smog for first time
Artificial rain was used for the first time in Pakistan on Saturday in a bid to combat hazardous levels of smog in the megacity of Lahore, the provincial government said.
California children sue US govt over pollution
Children in California are suing the US government over its failure to curb pollution, the latest in a series of legal actions by young people around the world worried about climate change.
Colombia confirmed as host of next UN biodiversity talks
Colombia was officialy confirmed Friday as the host of the the UN's next biodiversity summit to be held in late 2024 after Turkey backed out.
Leaks show McKinsey pushed fossil fuel agenda at Africa climate summit
Consulting giant McKinsey & Company sought to place controversial carbon market schemes favoured by its fossil fuel clients at the heart of the Africa Climate Summit, according to internal documents and sources who talked to AFP.
New Zealand store pulls kiwi chew toys after conservation backlash
A New Zealand chain store has pulled festive kiwi-shaped canine chew toys from sale, after backlash from conservationists trying to save the endangered bird.
A hurricane-proof town? Florida community may be a test case
When Hurricane Ian churned past her home in southwest Florida last year, Mary Frisbee shrugged off worries. She watched TV and surfed the internet.
US begins review that could spell trouble for PVC
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday announced a review that could eventually lead to the end of PVC plastic production -- impacting everything from records to rubber ducks.
US begins review that could eventually lead to PVC ban
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday announced a review that could eventually lead to the end of PVC plastic production -- impacting everything from records to rubber ducks.
How COP's fossil fuel taboo was finally broken by the Emiratis
Hours after the applause and relief that the world had finally reached a landmark climate agreement in Dubai, US special envoy John Kerry admitted that he thought it might never happen.
'Weak tea': Climate scientists push back against COP28 cheer
A UN climate deal that approved a call to transition away from fossil fuels has been hailed as a major milestone and a cause for at least cautious optimism.
Dubai deal hailed as 'beginning of end' for fossil fuels
The world for the first time on Wednesday approved a call to transition away from fossil fuels as UN negotiations in Dubai tackled the top culprit behind climate change, but at-risk countries said far more action was needed.
Singapore bids farewell to China-bound panda cub
Singaporeans bid farewell to a two-year-old panda cub on Wednesday as authorities prepared to send him to China where he will join the country's breeding program.
Fight on fossil fuels as Dubai summit goes into overtime
Western powers and nations most threatened by climate change fought Tuesday against oil producer Saudi Arabia for stronger calls on exiting fossil fuels as negotiators worked past a host-set deadline in UN talks in Dubai.
Campaigners 'losing trust in COP', says leading activist
Environmental campaigners are losing faith in the UN-led COP climate process after signs that a phase-out of fossil fuels may not be agreed in Dubai, a leading activist said on Tuesday.
UN climate summit to run overtime as fury mounts on fossil fuels
UN climate talks in Dubai were set Tuesday to run past a host-imposed deadline for a deal as at-risk nations voiced fury over a proposed compromise that stops short of phasing out fossil fuels.
Fungi and flatworms: Scientists want more diverse nature emojis
Too many cats, not enough crustaceans: The current emoji catalog doesn't accurately represent the breadth of biodiversity seen in nature -- and that hurts conservation efforts, according to scientists.
Fury as climate draft deal falls short of fossil fuel phase-out
UN climate negotiations dragged into the early hours of Tuesday after the Emirati host of COP28 drew fire from Western powers and environmentalists over a draft deal that stopped short of calling for a phase-out of fossil fuels.
COP28's Emirati host narrows fossil fuel ambition, drawing fire
The Emirati head of COP28 climate talks on Monday stopped short of pushing for a phase-out of fossil fuels, in a first bid for consensus that drew immediate fire from Western powers and environmentalists who had hoped for a historic turning point.
Freshwater fish swim into trouble as climate change increases threat: IUCN
A quarter of freshwater fish species worldwide are at risk of extinction, according to an update to the global red list of threatened species on Monday, highlighting the escalating impacts of human-caused climate change on the planet's wildlife.
Climate talks eye compromise on fossil fuels, drawing doubts
The head of the Dubai climate summit on Monday proposed a compromise on historic language on fossil fuels, calling for a major reduction but not an explicit phase-out, in an 11th-hour bid to reach a deal.
'Race against time': Climate talks in last push over fate of fossil fuels
UN leaders on Monday urged an end to obstruction hours before a deadline for a deal at a climate summit in Dubai, as oil producers resisted historic calls for the world to wind down fossil fuels.
Reborn night train links Berlin and Paris
A new sleeper service between Berlin and Paris will set off from the German capital on Monday evening after a decade-long hiatus, as night trains gain in popularity as an alternative to short-haul flights.
Olympic surfing to be held in Polynesia despite row: president
Next year's Olympic surfing competition will be held in French Polynesia as planned, the regional president has said, declaring a blazing row between organisers, authorities and environmental groups to be over.
Brazil caimans fight to survive in polluted Rio waters
Intrepid as Crocodile Dundee, Brazilian biologist Ricardo Freitas catches a caiman in the dark of night with a snare pole, then hoists it into his small wooden boat.
US joins COP28 push to end fossil fuels but keeps on pumping
The United States is helping lead the charge at UN climate talks to phase out fossil fuels, but the superpower's status as the world's top oil producer is already casting doubt on its credibility.
'Small minority' blocking COP28 progress, says at-risk Vanuatu
A small minority of countries at UN climate talks are blocking a growing consensus to phase out fossil fuels, at-risk Vanuatu's climate change minister told AFP on Sunday.
Progress but divisions persist as climate summit fights over fossil fuels
A UN climate summit in Dubai made progress Saturday but deep divides persisted, negotiators said, following a last-minute push by the OPEC oil cartel to block a phase-out of fossil fuels.