In the early 1900s, a scientist named Trofim Lysenko had some odd ideas. He thought he could teach plants to grow in winter by soaking them in cold water. He also believed that if you treated crops right, they could thrive anywhere, even in places like Siberia. These ideas were not based on solid science, but they gained traction under Stalin's rule. Lysenko's method...
In recent times, heavy rainfalls have been causing significant problems in the mountainous areas of India and Pakistan. These sudden and intense downpours, known as cloudbursts, have led to flash floods, landslides, and mudflows, resulting in loss of life and destruction of property. In one such incident, a district in northwestern Pakistan called Buner experienced ...
A recent Supreme Court decision has changed the rules for protecting wetlands across the United States. The ruling in Sackett v. EPA has made it harder for wetlands to qualify for protection under the Clean Water Act (CWA). This is because the new rule says wetlands must be directly connected to larger bodies of water to get federal protection. This change has big e...
For over ten years, a strange sickness has been wiping out starfish along the Pacific coast. Now, scientists have finally figured out what's been happening. It turns out, a sneaky bacteria called Vibrio pectenicida is to blame. This bacteria has been causing something called sea star wasting disease. It's not pretty. Healthy starfish usually have nice, straight arms...
The EPA's recent proposal to undo a crucial climate policy is raising eyebrows. Back in 2009, the EPA made it official: greenhouse gases are a threat to our health and the environment. But now, they're thinking of taking that back. This could mean big trouble for our planet. Some folks argue that clean energy is too pricey, but that's not the full picture. Sure, the...
The UK is considering recognizing Palestine as a state by September, but only if Israel takes steps towards peace. This move follows France's similar announcement, putting more pressure on Israel to ease restrictions in Gaza. The situation there is dire, with severe food shortages and rising hunger-related deaths. Israel's blockade has slightly loosened, but markets ...
A major decision has just come down from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. They've said that governments can't just ignore climate change. Countries have to cut emissions and help out nations that are getting hit hard by it. Vanuatu, a small island country, asked the court for this ruling. They're worried their whole country might disappear beca...
Investors often shy away from emerging markets due to perceived risks, but is this fear justified? Many times, the risks are overestimated, leading to missed opportunities. For example, after the 2023 coup in Gabon, investors pulled back from bonds across Africa, even in politically stable countries like Kenya. This knee-jerk reaction shows how geographical proximity...
Climate change is a big problem for small island nations. These places are in serious trouble because of the pollution from big countries. They didn't cause the problem, but they are the ones suffering the most. Rising sea levels, bad storms, and lack of clean water are just a few of the issues they face. In 2022, a big survey was done. It included over 14, 710 peop...
Rainforests are vital for our planet's health, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. The Amazon, Congo, and other tropical rainforests are being destroyed by cattle ranching, palm oil plantations, illegal logging, mining, and man-made fires. These forests are often called the world's lungs because they absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, making them cr...