News, economies and societies across Africa
Environment
Climate, resources and biodiversity across Africa, with attention to evidence, policy and local consequences.
72 stories
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Latest stories
“They’re Exploding From Beneath the Ice”: Scientists Confirm Methane Eruptions Are Behind Siberia’s Massive Craters
Scientists have identified methane eruptions as the cause of Siberia’s mysterious craters. The study links crater formation to fault lines and the release of underground…
“They’re Swallowing Cities Whole”: Nearly 3,000 Expanding Urban Gullies Threaten to Displace Over 3 Million People Worldwide
Urban gullies are vast chasms threatening to displace millions in rapidly developing regions worldwide. Poor urban planning and inadequate drainage are primary factors contributing to…
“They’re Healing the Sky”: Scientists Confirm the Ozone Hole Is Shrinking as Global Bans on CFCs Pay Off
The ozone hole in 2024 is smaller, showing progress in environmental recovery. Global efforts like the Montreal Protocol have phased out over 99% of harmful…
“They Smell Nice - But Pollute Like Cars”: Purdue Scientists Warn Scented Products Can Fill Homes With Harmful Nanoparticles
Researchers reveal that scented products can cause indoor air pollution comparable to car exhaust. Purdue University’s study shows that nanosized particles from everyday items penetrate…
“They’re Growing a Million Strawberries Indoors”: Dyson’s Robot-Powered Vertical Farm Could Redefine How Britain Eats
Dyson’s vertical farming in Lincolnshire features over 1,225,000 strawberry plants in a 26-acre glasshouse. The farm utilizes advanced robotics for plant care and harvesting, enhancing…
“They’re Growing Against the Odds”: Amazon’s Giant Trees Are Expanding Faster Than Ever - Defying Climate Change and Rewriting What We Know About Forest Survival
The Amazon rainforest’s larger trees are growing over 3 percent larger per decade. The Amazon acts as a crucial carbon sink, absorbing a significant portion…
“We’re Freezing the Future Here”: Deep Beneath Norway’s Ice, Africa’s Ancient Seeds Find Shelter From a Warming World
Thousands of seeds from African tree species are stored in Norway’s Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The vault provides a secure backup for seed banks worldwide,…
“Beneath the Calm Surface Lies Fire”: Lake Kivu’s Methane Power Project Could Prevent - or Trigger - Africa’s Next Great Disaster
Lake Kivu, between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, contains dangerous gases that could trigger a disaster. KivuWatt harnesses methane from the lake to…
“They Feared Us More Than Lions”: New Study Reveals African Wildlife Now Sees Humans as the Scariest Predator on Earth
Recent research reveals that human voices instill more fear in African wildlife than lions. Study conducted in Greater Kruger National Park used recordings of human…
“They Thought It Was the Mantle”: Scientists Reveal South Africa’s Land Is Rising Because Its Water Is Disappearing (and it’s speeding up)
South Africa’s land is rising due to climate change-induced droughts and the loss of water. New research challenges the mantle plume theory by linking land…
“It Started With a Thousand-Year Flicker”: This Ethiopian Discovery Reveals the Ancient Climate Collapse That Gave Birth to Civilization Itself
The study of ancient sediments in Ethiopia reveals a historical climate tipping point in northern Africa. Researchers identified a period of climate flickering that preceded…
“They’re Just Floating There”: This Deadly Outbreak in Virunga Wipes Out Dozens of Hippos (and the danger may not stop with them)
Anthrax outbreak in Virunga National Park kills 50 hippos, highlighting severe wildlife health threats. The park is located in the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of…