Author: Grace Johnson

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first major statement on climate change, condemning those who downplay the “increasingly evident” effects of rising temperatures. He reaffirmed the warnings of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and criticized critics who “ridicule those who speak of global warming.” Speaking at Castel Gandolfo near Rome, the Pope’s words served as an indirect rebuke of US President Donald Trump, who recently called climate change a “con.” Pope Leo urged citizens worldwide to take urgent action, warning there was no room for indifference or resignation. A decade after Laudato Si’ The Pope addressed a conference marking ten years since…

Raquel Celina Rodriguez steps carefully across the Vega de Tilopozo in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The wetland once held groundwater springs, but now the plain lies dry and cracked. She points to holes that were once water pools. “Before, the Vega was all green,” she recalls. “You could barely see the animals through the tall grass. Now everything is dry.” Llamas graze in the distance, a reminder of her family’s tradition of raising sheep. Climate change reduced rainfall and left little grass. But the crisis worsened when lithium companies arrived. Lithium beneath the desert Beneath the Atacama salt flats lie the…

Australian shark researchers tested four bite-resistant materials. Their goal was to cut injuries and blood loss from shark attacks. Scientists from Flinders University’s Southern Shark Ecology Group stress that internal injuries may still occur. But they now see bite-resistant wetsuits as a vital tool in reducing shark attack risks. Protective suits as a new defense Shark attacks on humans are rare. But they hit coastal communities hard, especially where tourism and water sports are central. Pressure on governments for stronger swimmer protection often follows. Authorities usually focus on area-based protection. Yet recent studies highlight the growing role of personal protection,…

The New Zealand falcon has claimed the annual Bird of the Year title with 21 percent of valid votes. The fast predator, known by its Māori name kārearea, reaches up to 200 km/h in a dive. It thrives in dense forests but remains under threat with only 5,000 to 8,000 left in the wild. Two decades of competition This year marked the 20th anniversary of the contest, which raises awareness for endangered native birds. Each of the 73 contenders had a volunteer campaign manager, who used memes, reels and posters to attract voters. “Behind the memes and mayhem lies a…

A riverside site, hailed as a “hidden gem,” is preparing for its annual surge of wildlife activity, experts report. Dunston Staiths, once a coal-loading hub on the River Tyne at Gateshead, now hosts a variety of species that claim its mudflats. Birds including curlews and lapwings will arrive over the winter during migration, while crustaceans and mammals such as otters make their home along the riverbank. Heather Devey, of the Wild Intrigue nature group, calls the site an “under-rated” oasis for both wildlife and visitors. A historic structure supporting nature Built in the 1890s, the Grade II-listed Dunston Staiths once…

Dredging and pollution destroyed the Chesapeake Bay’s once-thriving oyster reefs. Scientists now hope careful restoration can revive them. A Bay Once Teeming with Oysters The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the continental United States, once bristled with oysters. Native Americans harvested them for more than 12,000 years. Archaeologists found massive piles of discarded shells in ancient trash pits. By the late 1800s, European-descended settlers harvested an estimated 600 million to 1.2 billion pounds of oysters annually. Today, wild commercial harvests total less than 5 percent of that peak. Overharvesting, sediment pollution, sewage, and fertilizer have stressed the bay since…

Dog owners in London face prosecution if their pets attack swans. Authorities warn that uncontrolled dogs put wildlife at serious risk. Rising attacks on swans in London The Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton reported three swans killed in the past year, with several others badly injured. Sanctuary staff described the dogs involved as clearly out of control. The attacks occurred at ponds in Wanstead, Epping Forest, and along the Thames at Limehouse Beach in Wapping. Danni Rogers from the sanctuary urged dog owners to follow the law. He emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to ensure dogs remain under control…

Supreme Court delays cull Canada’s Supreme Court has temporarily stopped the planned killing of nearly 400 ostriches on a farm in British Columbia. The owners protested the order, drawing international attention, including from senior U.S. officials. The decision, announced Wednesday, allows the birds to remain under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) custody while the owners appeal. Police action and farm protests The day before, authorities briefly arrested the owners of Universal Ostrich Farms for obstructing food inspectors, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said. Inspectors held a warrant to search the property, accompanied by officers due to heightened tensions…

Gorillas are powerful, intelligent, and majestic. Yet they face growing dangers in the wild. On World Gorilla Day, we examine threats to these great apes and highlight glimmers of hope from recent conservation efforts. Emerging Threats to Gorillas The Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) remains one of the 25 most endangered primates worldwide. Experts estimate only about 250 mature individuals survive in Nigeria and Cameroon. Hunters increasingly target these gorillas, pushing them closer to extinction. Investigations reveal a booming illegal trade in ape parts across Nigeria. Hunters who once faced community ostracism now profit from high demand. Ape body…

China has evacuated hundreds of thousands of people and closed schools and some businesses in at least ten cities. Authorities prepare for the strongest storm of the year to hit the southern coast. Hong Kong raises typhoon alert as storm approaches Hong Kong upgraded its typhoon warning to level eight, just two steps below the maximum, as Super Typhoon Ragasa nears. Residents stocked up on supplies and secured homes in anticipation. Supermarkets emptied of bread, vegetables, meat, and instant noodles as people prepared to shelter. Hong Kong International Airport warned of significant disruption to flights from Tuesday evening until Wednesday.…