Climate

    Rising temperatures lead to unexpectedly rapid carbon release from soils
    17 May 2025

    Globally, soils store more than twice as much carbon as the atmosphere. Therefore, carbon uptake and release by soils constitutes a strong regulator of atmospheric concentrations of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2). In the context of the ongoing anthropogenic climate change it is thus important to better understand the sensitivity of soil carbon, which […]

    Tokenizing the tree of life: Olive blockchain project sprouts in Dubai

    A bold vision to connect ancient agriculture with cutting-edge blockchain technology has been unveiled in the Middle East. At an invite only event held at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Global Olive Corporation (GOC) revealed its plan to tokenize 100 million olive trees worldwide, starting with a million already planted across Georgia. “This is the […]

    The controversial search for metals beneath the world’s deepest ocean
    14 May 2025

    US President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at kick-starting commercial deep-sea mining has sparked debate in environmental circles on what is the most appropriate next step. He is keen to search for metals used in renewable energy, batteries and computer microchips such as copper, cobalt, manganese and nickel. The mining could take place at depths of thousands of metres. The area most […]

    Saharan storms ‘threaten Europe’s solar power future’
    13 May 2025

    A growing atmospheric phenomenon is complicating Europe’s path towards climate and energy security targets, scientists have warned. Mineral dust carried on the wind from the Sahara could hamper Europe’s reliance on solar energy, the European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU25) heard. In their presentation at EGU25, Dr Gyorgy Varga and collaborators from Hungarian and European institutions said dust-laden skies disrupt […]

    More than one billion litres of water evaporate from UAE swimming pools each year, research suggests
    12 May 2025

    With its endless sunshine and sizzling temperatures, the UAE is the perfect place at which to kickback and enjoy an afternoon by the pool. But a new study suggests that the desire to take a dip consumes significant amounts of water, with more than a billion litres probably evaporating each year from the country’s pools. While the […]

    Air pollution levels falling across the Middle East, Abu Dhabi study finds
    11 May 2025

    Scientists in Abu Dhabi say stricter air quality controls, transitioning to renewable energy and monitoring vehicle emissions are behind a reduction in the levels of air pollution in parts of the Middle East. A study from Khalifa University (KU) in Abu Dhabi, using Nasa satellites, looking between 2003 and 2023, showed significant reductions after pollution levels increased during the first decade […]

    Chasing sand storms: How UAE climate teams are preparing for adverse weather
    09 May 2025

    Dust and sand storms have been sweeping the UAE in recent weeks, providing a challenge for weather and environment agencies that are working to forecast and prepare for their effects. On Thursday, the National Centre of Meteorology issued a fresh alert that winds reaching 45kph were blowing dust and sand, reducing visibility. Similar notifications have […]

    Cutting greenhouse gases will reduce number of deaths from poor air quality
    08 May 2025

    Up to 250,000 deaths from poor air quality could be prevented annually in central and western Europe by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, say researchers. A study by atmospheric scientists at the University of Leeds has revealed that the number of deaths could be significantly reduced, but only if there is a […]

    Biological particles may be crucial for inducing heavy rain
    06 May 2025

    EPFL atmospheric and climate scientists show that biological particles may induce rain events that could contribute to flooding and snowstorms, owing to their ability to precipitate ice formation in clouds. They call for an update of meteorological and climate models. Clouds form upon existing particles in the atmosphere and extreme weather events like flooding and […]

    ‘A hidden treasure’: Scientists rally to protect the Gulf’s overlooked seagrass meadows
    04 May 2025

    Vital to dugongs, sea turtles, fish nurseries and carbon storage, seagrass meadows are among the ocean’s most critical – and at the same time most overlooked – ecosystems. Yet, they are disappearing at alarming rates around the world. Scientists from across the region gathered in Abu Dhabi for the first Arabian Seagrass Workshop last week, […]