Britain’s once-common red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) has declined sharply over the past 30 years, largely due to intensive farming that has stripped away its habitat. But researchers believe an unlikely ally — solar farms — could aid the species’ recovery. A study of more than 1,000 solar farms found that sites managed for wildlife, with wildflower planting and hedgerows, hosted more than twice as many bumblebees as those covered only in turf. While the boost in numbers was mainly within the farms themselves, scientists say that creating a network of pollinator-friendly solar farms could significantly improve bee populations across the…
Author: Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 10 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Throughout his career, he has contributed to outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Reuters. Known for his clear reporting and in-depth analysis, Andrew delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and international developments.
U.S. autonomous-security drone startup Sunflower Labs has closed $16 million in Series B funding and received nationwide Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. This milestone opens large new markets and technology applications for the company. Sunflower Labs specializes in autonomous drones designed for security and surveillance. Its drones can patrol large areas, detect intrusions, and provide real-time alerts, enhancing safety for commercial, industrial, and residential clients. The Series B funding will accelerate product development, expand manufacturing capabilities, and scale operations. The investment also supports software improvements, including enhanced AI for object detection, flight path optimization, and automated threat response.…
New modelling from the University of Queensland has found the Great Barrier Reef could suffer a “rapid coral decline” by 2050, but may still recover if global heating is limited to under 2C. The study, published in Nature Communications, challenges previous assumptions that the reef’s collapse would be irreversible beyond 1.5C of warming. However, scientists warn that the reef’s natural resilience will be overwhelmed if temperatures rise much higher. “If we stay on the pathway we’re on, it’s a very bad and grim future for corals,” said Prof Peter Mumby, who co-led the research. Current global climate policies are expected…
Sir David Attenborough’s new BBC series Kingdom has captured a remarkable moment of a lion saving a pregnant hyena from a pack of wild dogs. Filmed over five years in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, the documentary follows lions, hyenas, leopards and wild dogs, revealing fierce rivalries and surprising alliances. Executive producer Mike Gunton said: “Only nature could write this script.” The series, narrated by Attenborough, also shows tender scenes like newborn lion cubs and dramatic rescues, including wild dogs saving one of their own from a crocodile. Scientists working with the production, including Dr Matthew Becker of the Zambia Carnivore Programme,…
Wildlife experts are urging people to check bonfires for hibernating hedgehogs before lighting them, as the animals often shelter in log and leaf piles during the colder months. The RSPCA reported a 74.6% rise in hedgehog admissions to its four main rescue centres between 2022 and 2024, warning that 2025 could be a particularly hard winter for the struggling species. Vet nurse Rachel Bright from Folly Wildlife Rescue said the hot summer worsened conditions for hedgehogs by drying out their main food sources — slugs and snails — and causing dehydration. To protect them, charities recommend building bonfires only shortly…
Britain has been named one of the least “nature-connected” countries in the world, ranking 55th out of 61 nations in a global study of how people relate to the natural world. The research, involving 57,000 people and published in Ambio, found that Nepal is the most nature-connected nation, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. At the bottom of the list were the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Spain. Led by Prof Miles Richardson of the University of Derby, the study found that high levels of spirituality and faith strongly correlated with a close relationship to nature, while…
Harrison Ford has launched a fierce attack on Donald Trump, calling his rollback of climate protections “one of the greatest crimes in history.” Speaking to The Guardian, the 83-year-old actor said Trump’s assault on science and his push for fossil fuels “scares the shit out of me.” Ford accused the US president of acting out of greed: “He doesn’t have policies — he has whims. He’s making money while the world goes to hell in a handbasket.” Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris climate accord, fired hundreds of scientists, and urged oil companies to “drill, baby, drill.” He…
A tiny spider thought to be extinct in the UK has been found again on the Isle of Wight after four decades. The Aulonia albimana, newly dubbed the white-knuckled wolf spider for its pale markings, was rediscovered by entomologists Mark Telfer and Graeme Lyons during a survey at the National Trust’s Newtown nature reserve — a site only reachable by boat. The species was last recorded in 1985 and had been feared lost. Lyons spotted the first specimen with just minutes left before their scheduled pickup. “To find a species thought lost for 40 years is thrilling,” said Telfer. The…
A landmark global study has found that extreme heat is now killing one person every minute, with millions dying each year from the combined health impacts of the climate crisis and governments’ failure to act. The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, led by University College London and the World Health Organization, found heat-related deaths have surged by 23% since the 1990s, reaching an average of 546,000 deaths per year between 2012 and 2021. Researchers said nearly all these deaths are preventable. “Millions of people are dying needlessly because of our delay in cutting fossil fuels and adapting to…
New climate pledges from more than 60 countries would cut global emissions by only 10% by 2035, about one-sixth of what’s needed to limit warming to 1.5C, a UN analysis shows. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said progress was too slow: “We have a serious need for more speed.” Major emitters China and the EU have yet to submit final plans, while the US target under Joe Biden may lapse if Donald Trump withdraws from the Paris agreement again. The report sets the stage for Cop30 in Belém, Brazil, next month, where leaders will face pressure to close the gap…