Ecology

Antarctic Ozone Hole Is Smallest on Record
In 2019, the hole that developed in the ozone layer over Antarctica was the smallest on record since the ozone hole was first discovered, according to scientists at NASA and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In an average…

Free Running Challenge that Enables Users to Compete with a Wild Snow Leopard
Aiming to highlight the need to conserve the world’s endangered wildlife, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), adidas Runtastic further supported by Internet of Elephants and the Snow Leopard Trust launched a running challenge in the free adidas Running app that…

Melting Glaciers Reveal Five New Islands in the Arctic
The Russian navy says it has discovered five new islands revealed by melting glaciers in the remote Arctic. An expedition in August and September charted the islands, which have yet to be named and were previously hidden under glaciers, said…

Scores More Heart Attacks and Strokes on High Pollution Days, Figures Show
Scores of children and adults are being rushed to hospital for emergency treatment on days of high pollution in cities across England, figures show. Each year emergency services see more than 120 additional cardiac arrests, more than 230 additional strokes…

Ivory Coast Law Could See Chocolate Industry ‘Wipe Out’ Protected Forests
The Ivory Coast’s dwindling rainforests could be “wiped out” under a new law that will see legal protections removed from thousands of square miles of classified forest and unprecedented power handed to industrial chocolate manufacturers. Civil society groups, environmental campaigners…

Little Progress Made in Tackling Air Pollution in Europe, Research Says
Little progress has been made on tackling air quality in Europe, new research shows, despite public outcry in many countries and increasing awareness of the health impacts of pollution. Levels of the dangerous fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, which…

New Challenges Facing Europe’s Waste Water Treatment Plants Present Opportunities
More investment is needed to make urban waste water treatment plants fit to meet the difficult challenges posed by the impacts of climate change, as well as the presence of antibiotics and other micro-pollutants in waste water, according to a…



