Environment and energy

Editor's choice

A harbour porpoise photographed underwater

The curious case of the porpoises and the wind farm

Satellite image of glaciers surrounding Baffin Bay

Seeking clarity on melting land ice

Glaciologist Jonathan Bamber discusses melting ice, climate change and a career in geoscience

Tracking the dangers of air pollution

Measurements from Scottish peatland could provide knowledge needed to cut emissions harmful to human health, as Kate Ravilious reports

Research headlines

Climate strategy needs tailoring to poorest

Climate change presents a dilemma. Inaction means ultimate catastrophe. But before then an ill-considered climate strategy could harm the poorest even more.

Photo of sun. Courtesy: shutterstock/Johnny-ka

Hotter temperatures reduce food and traffic regulation

Police officers and food safety inspectors in US less active under environmental stress

Beating Braess’ paradox to prevent instability in electrical power grids

Secondary control could prevent disruption caused by adding new transmission lines

Graphic depicting carbon dioxide emissions from a chimney. Courtesy: iStock/BeholdingEye

India could meet its Paris climate pledge

Energy emissions in 2030 may be double 2012 levels or less, thanks to low demand for electricity and faster transition to renewables

Humans cause wildfires driven by Santa Ana winds

Timings mean lightning strikes are not to blame in southern California, study finds

Photo of downtown San Francisco under a pall of wildfire smoke in 2008.

Hothouse Earth could soon be unavoidable

Researchers say the world may be approaching a tipping point, followed by a dangerous slide towards Hothouse Earth, an overheated planet

Elliott on Energy

Composite photo depicting energy generation

How do oil companies see the energy future?

Green power – the debate hots up

Photo of solar panels on a house (Courtesy: iStock/MarioGuti)

Explore our special collection of videos and articles highlighting the latest interdisciplinary research on local and global environmental challenges, plus solutions for creating more sustainable technologies and societies