Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Recent droughts are 'slow-moving global catastrophe' - UN report
It says drought has compounded poverty, hunger, and energy insecurity worldwide.
Unique 1.5m year-old ice to be melted to unlock mystery
BBC News went inside -23C freezers to see the ice that could "revolutionise" our knowledge of climate change.
Five key takeaways from the landmark water sector review
The wide-ranging review was launched amid growing public concern about sewage spills and rising bills.
Nor'easters have become 20% more destructive in the last 80 years, scientists warn
Nor'easters are becoming more destructive as the climate warms, a new study finds, with a 20% increase in storm intensity recorded from 1940 to now.
Mount Thor: The mountain with Earth's longest vertical drop
Mount Thor, also known as Thor Peak, is a mountain in Nunavut, Canada with the largest vertical drop in the world — a terrifying escarpment with an average overhang of...
Tuvalu residents prepare for world’s first planned migration of an entire nation — and climate change is to blame
A first-of-its-kind lottery for residents of Tuvalu who want to move to Australia due to climate change threats is closing today, with more than 5,000 applications received.
First video of an earthquake fault cracking has revealed another surprise
A stunning video of the ground cracking during a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar is revealing new surprises.
How to watch Shark Week 2025: Live TV & streaming schedule for Discovery special
All the broadcast information, including full program guide and show synopses, so you can watch Shark Week 2025 from anywhere from July 20-26.
We're within 3 years of reaching a critical climate threshold. Can we reverse course?
A report published in June found that the world only has three years before it crosses the 1.5 C climate target. So what should we do now?
Machine learning uncovers 10 times more earthquakes in Yellowstone caldera
Yellowstone, a popular tourist destination and namesake of an equally popular TV show, was the first-ever national park in the United States. And bubbling beneath it—to this day—is one of...
Dead Sea's salt giants reveal how massive salt deposits form over time
The Dead Sea is a confluence of extraordinary conditions: the lowest point on Earth's land surface, with one of the world's highest salinities. The high concentration of salt gives it...
Saturday Citations: Dogs like TV; mRNA vaccine enhances cancer therapy; old rhyme inaccurate
This week in science news: Researchers from the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid, Spain, digitally reconstructed the ribcages of four prehistoric Homo sapiens and theorize that climate influences...
The beauty of coral reefs is key to their survival—so we came up with a way to measure it
Why do people care about coral reefs? Why does their damage cause such concern and outrage? What drives people to go to great lengths to protect and restore them?
Rising rocket launches linked to ozone layer thinning
The rapid rise in global rocket launches could slow the recovery of the vital ozone layer, says Sandro Vattioni. The problem is being underestimated—yet it could be mitigated by forward-looking,...
Rising seas threaten to swallow one of NZ's oldest settlement sites
One of Aotearoa New Zealand's oldest settlement sites is at risk of being washed away by rising seas, according to new research.
Why some 'biodegradable' wet wipes can be terrible for the environment
Have you felt disgust when taking a walk along the riverside or plunging into the sea to escape the summer heat, only to spy a used wet wipe floating along...
South Korea rain death toll hits 17, with 11 missing
Heavy rain in South Korea has killed at least 17 people in recent days, government records showed Sunday, while 11 remain unaccounted for in the intense downpours.
Hong Kong hit by strong winds, heavy rain as Typhoon Wipha skirts past
Hong Kong was battered by strong winds and heavy rain on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha skirted along China's southern coast, with fallen trees and collapsed scaffolding spotted across the city.
Restoring sea floor after mining may not be possible, researchers warn
Scientists present at the latest effort to hash out international rules for deep-sea mining say it's unclear if it's possible to restore damaged seafloor ecosystems—or how long it would take.
We detected deep pulses beneath Africa—what we learned could help us understand volcanic activity
Earth's continents may look fixed on a globe, but they've been drifting, splitting and reforming over billions of years—and they still are. Our new study reveals fresh evidence of rhythmic...
World's major courts take growing role in climate fight
The world's top court is poised to tell governments what their legal obligations are to tackle global warming, and possibly outline consequences for polluters that cause climate harm to vulnerable...
Arctic winter reaches melting point: Scientists witness dramatic thaw in Svalbard
A new commentary published in Nature Communications by Dr. James Bradley, Reader in Environmental Science at Queen Mary University of London, and his team reveals a dramatic and concerning shift...
ICJ to deliver landmark climate ruling
The top United Nations court will on Wednesday hand down a landmark global legal blueprint for tackling climate change that also sets out top polluters' responsibilities toward the countries suffering...
Inside the secret plan to relocate a wayward B.C. grizzly bear
As people continue to mourn the loss of a wayward grizzly on an island off the B.C. coast, many are left wondering why the bear wasn’t relocated to avoid what...
What makes the St. Lawrence River so dangerous for swimmers?
It's an important waterway in North America, but conditions in the St. Lawrence River can change rapidly and its size and force makes rescues complicated and dangerous for emergency responders.
Scientists potentially narrow MH370 search area to 3 spots
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Scientists have potentially narrowed the search area for the missing Malaysian airliner to three specific locations in the southern...
Loss of sea ice leads walruses to early appearance in Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Hundreds of Pacific walruses came ashore to a barrier island on Alaska's northwest coast, the earliest appearance of the...
Φsat-2 begins science phase for AI Earth images
Φsat-2, a miniature satellite, has completed its commissioning and has begun delivery of science data, using algorithms to efficiently process and compress Earth observation images, as well as detect wildfires,...