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Scientists studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch have discovered that floating plastic waste is doing more than polluting the oceans. It is creating entirely new ecosystems in the open sea, allowing coastal species to survive, reproduce and establish communities thousands of kilometres away from land. The findings suggest that plastic pollution is fundamentally changing marine ecosystems by providing long lasting habitats for organisms that were once confined to coastlines. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between California and Hawaii, is one of the world's largest accumulations of marine debris. Formed within the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, a vast system of rotating ocean currents, the region traps floating waste instead of allowing it to disperse. Today, the area...

Researchers in China have discovered a soil bacterium capable of breaking down polyethylene, one of the world's most widely used and persistent plastics. The finding could offer a new approach to tackling plastic pollution in agricultural lands where plastic mulch films are commonly used. The study, conducted by researchers at Hangzhou Normal University in Zhejiang Province, identified a bacterium named Bacillus PE4 that naturally degrades plastic waste buried in soil. Plastic Mulch Creates a Growing Environmental Challenge Polyethylene is used extensively in agricultural mulch films, grocery bags and packaging materials. Its durability makes it useful for everyday applications but also extremely difficult to decompose in nature. In farming regions, plastic mulch films are wide...

As India faces increasingly intense and prolonged heatwaves, experts say a simple and affordable solution cool roofs remains largely underutilised, especially among low income urban households. Cool roofs use reflective coatings that reduce the amount of heat absorbed by rooftops, helping lower indoor temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius. In cities where concrete roofs trap heat throughout the day and release it slowly at night, these coatings can make homes significantly more comfortable while reducing dependence on fans and air conditioners. Despite their proven benefits, adoption remains limited. According to experts, the challenge is not merely a lack of awareness but a combination of financial, social and behavioural barriers that prevent households from investing in the technolo...

A groundbreaking scientific study has reconstructed nearly 4,000 years of climate, vegetation, and flood history of Majuli, the world's largest inhabited river island in Assam, providing valuable insights that could help communities better adapt to recurring floods and erosion. Conducted by researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, the study analyzed ancient pollen and sediment samples collected from the Sakali Wetland on Majuli Island. The findings reveal how climate patterns, vegetation cover, and river dynamics have evolved over millennia in one of India's most ecologically and culturally important regions. Majuli, situated within the Brahmaputra River system, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and Neo-Vaishnavite cultural heritage. However,...

A new book documenting urban forestry projects across Africa argues that trees and green spaces are becoming essential tools in the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing urban inequality. As African cities expand at one of the fastest rates in the world, experts say urban forests are no longer a luxury but a necessity for creating healthier and more resilient communities. Africa’s population is approaching 1.5 billion, and nearly 80 percent of future population growth is expected to occur in urban areas. At the same time, climate change is bringing more frequent heatwaves, hotter nights, and increasing flood risks to many cities. In response, governments and local authorities are investing in tree planting campaigns, urban parks, and green corridors to help reduce...

As cities across the world struggle with rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves, new research has revealed that urban greenery can significantly reduce heat stress but only when it is planned and designed correctly. The study, published by researchers from the University of Melbourne, found that carefully designed green spaces can lower the heat experienced by people by as much as 18°C in some urban areas. The research examined the impact of different types of vegetation in three cities with contrasting climates Melbourne in Australia, Munich in Germany, and Hong Kong in China. Instead of relying solely on computer simulations, scientists conducted field measurements during summer to understand how people actually experience heat in outdoor spaces. The findings showed that t...

Europe achieved a record breaking milestone in river restoration during 2025 by removing 603 obsolete barriers, including dams, weirs and culverts, helping reconnect thousands of kilometres of waterways and improve habitats for freshwater species. According to the 2025 Dam Removal Europe report, the removals restored more than 3,740 kilometres of free-flowing rivers across the continent, marking the highest number of barrier removals recorded in a single year. Environmental groups and conservation experts describe barrier removal as one of the most effective ways to restore river ecosystems. Many old structures no longer serve their original purpose but continue to disrupt water flow, block fish migration routes and damage freshwater habitats. Among the most significant projects w...

New Delhi: The National Zoological Park (NZP) in New Delhi has launched Swachhata Pakhwada 2026, a 15-day cleanliness and environmental awareness campaign aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyles, environmental stewardship, and public participation in conservation efforts. The programme began on June 1 and will continue until June 15, aligning with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). The initiative was inaugurated with a mass Swachhata Pledge administered to participants, followed by an orientation session outlining the activities planned during the fortnight. Students Participate in Environmental Awareness Activities As part of the opening day events, the zoo organised a painting and poster making competition on the theme “Po...

As climate change intensifies floods and other extreme weather events, experts are urging governments to make flood risk management a central part of infrastructure planning. A new report by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) highlights that resilient social infrastructure is essential to protect lives and ensure critical public services continue operating during disasters. The report points to recent flooding events in Brazil as a clear example of why resilience is becoming increasingly important. In May 2024, the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul experienced its worst flooding in eight decades, affecting more than 1.4 million people and forcing nearly 600,000 residents from their homes. In Porto Alegre, the state capital, water levels in the Guaíba River reached the...

A decade after the devastating Ebola outbreak exposed major weaknesses in global health systems and six years after Covid-19 disrupted the world, Africa and many other regions remain dangerously underprepared for the next pandemic, according to a new report and expert analysis. The warning comes from a report titled A World on the Edge: Priorities for a Pandemic Resilient Future released by the World Health Organization's Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB). The report highlights that investments in pandemic preparedness have failed to keep pace with growing global health threats. The findings gained added significance as a new Ebola outbreak emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May 2026. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency ...