Author: EcoLife

    Microplastics are undermining the ocean’s power to absorb carbon
    22 Jan 2026

    Scientists are raising new concerns after a study found that microplastics are interfering with the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide, a process that plays a vital role in regulating Earth’s temperature. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles measuring less than five millimeters. Over time, they have spread across nearly every part of the planet. Researchers […]

    The world has entered an era of ‘global water bankruptcy’, UN warns. What does it actually mean?

    Decades of human activity have left “irreversible damage” to the planet’s water supply, a new report warns. Human activity has pushed the world into an era of “global water bankruptcy”, as experts call for an urgent, science-based transformation. A new report from the United Nations University (UNU) warns that decades of deforestation, pollution, soil degradation, […]

    Sharks are famous for fearsome teeth, but ocean acidification could make them weaker
    20 Jan 2026

    Scientists have linked the burning of fossil fuels to the ongoing acidification of the ocean. Sharks are the most feared predators in the sea, and their survival hinges on fearsome teeth that regrow throughout their lives. But changes in the ocean’s chemistry could put those weapons at risk. That is the takeaway from a study […]

    Carbon-sucking fungi and ‘forever chemical’ crackdowns: Positive environmental stories from 2026
    19 Jan 2026

    Eco anxiety is very real, so we share this year’s most uplifting stories to prove there’s hope for our climate. With powerful nations rolling back climate protections and temperatures soaring ever closer to dangerous thresholds, it’s hard not to feel worried about the state of the planet. As green journalists, climate anxiety, climate doom and […]

    Abu Dhabi climate fund Alterra plans to launch investment vehicle worth $1.2bn
    17 Jan 2026

    Alterra, the UAE’s $30 billion climate fund, has announced plans to launch a new co-investment vehicle worth $1.2 billion with a $250 million contribution from global financial institution BBVA to advance energy transition goals. Once launched and approved, Alterra Opportunity Fund will be domiciled at Abu Dhabi finance hub ADGM. It will consolidate existing co-investments into a […]

    Scientists found the soil secret that doubles forest regrowth
    16 Jan 2026

    Newly published research finds that tropical forests can rebound up to twice as fast after deforestation when their soils contain enough nitrogen. The study shows that what happens below ground plays a major role in how quickly forests return after land has been cleared. Scientists led by the University of Leeds launched the largest and […]

    UK and EU tree planting pledges face reality check as scientists warn the climate window is closing
    15 Jan 2026

    The UK and EU both have ambitious targets for planting new trees to help meet climate targets. But how much progress has actually been made? Planting new trees now could be the key to offsetting heat-trapping gases from the atmosphere – and reducing flood risks from climate-fuelled extreme weather. It’s made the creation of woodland a […]

    Gulf faces hotter and more humid climate as world nears Paris threshold
    14 Jan 2026

    Gulf residents have been told the climate will not only become hotter but also more humid, with a newly released report revealing that last year was the third-hottest year yet worldwide. The Global Climate Highlights 2025 report said that the past three years have been the hottest on record – and that the world is close to breaching […]

    The oxygen you breathe depends on a tiny ocean ingredient
    13 Jan 2026

    The next time you take a breath, it is worth remembering that much of that oxygen can be traced back to microscopic ocean algae. Their ability to produce oxygen through photosynthesis is supported by iron dust that settles into the sea. A new study from Rutgers University, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy […]

    Europeans’ ‘psychological bias’ to climate change risks slowing down progress, warns study
    12 Jan 2026

    Scientists warn that our understanding and perception of climate-fuelled risks are “limited and flawed”. Most people believe that climate change affects others more than themselves, as scientists warn that our “psychological bias” may be hindering efforts to curb global warming. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden recently analysed 83 studies involving more than 70,000 people […]