Author: Grace Johnson

Volunteers across Tees Valley are celebrating a notable rise in the local barn owl population. Significant increase in barn owl sightings Tees Valley Wildlife Trust reported that in 2025, the number of barn owls ringed in their area rose by 42%, from 249 in 2024 to 354. This growth offers hope for the species’ future. Colin Gibson, volunteer barn owl coordinator and retired police officer, said he believes the increase results from better habitat protection, improved nesting sites, and favorable climate conditions. He highlighted the combined efforts of volunteers and local communities as essential to this success. Nest boxes play…

A Florida International University scientist has developed a groundbreaking test to detect rare hammerhead sharks without spotting them in the water. This method could transform conservation efforts for species on the brink of extinction. The technique identifies traces of sharks in seawater, acting like faint biological footprints. It detects fragments of genetic material, revealing the animals’ presence without catching or disturbing them. In a study published in Frontiers in Marine Science, marine biologist Diego Cardeñosa showed how environmental DNA can help locate and protect endangered shark species. Tracking elusive and endangered species Small hammerhead species, including the scalloped bonnethead, scoophead,…

A quiet beginning sparks a global shift China had only two EV battery makers in 2005. Twenty years later, it produces over three-quarters of the world’s lithium-ion cells. The journey began with sleek electric buses at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which carried visitors between venues. Those buses ran on lithium-ion packs and marked China’s first major step into EV battery production. This Olympic project created early momentum and laid foundations for China’s later dominance. Beijing had planned this push since winning the Olympic bid in 2001. But developing EV batteries for the Games challenged Chinese labs and factories. Researchers at…

The world is set to release more carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels this year than ever before. New data shows that global efforts to cut emissions remain far too slow to meet international climate goals as nations gather in Brazil for the UN climate summit COP30. Yet, the rapid growth of renewable energy offers hope that the global warming trend might still be contained. A Slower Rise in Emissions Brings Some Optimism Emissions have grown far less quickly over the past decade, thanks to the rise of clean energy. According to clean energy think tank Ember, fossil fuel use…

Tsunamis are notoriously hard to detect in the open ocean. Yet, in the summer of 2025, scientists witnessed one as it happened — live. It began with the most powerful earthquake in nearly 15 years. In July 2025, an 8.8 magnitude quake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The shockwaves unleashed a tsunami that sped across the Pacific at over 400 mph (644 km/h). Within minutes, alarms blared in communities across the ocean basin. Millions of people were told to evacuate, including more than two million in Japan. But as the waves raced across the sea, they triggered something unexpected —…

A rare encounter beneath the surfaceAs the sun sank behind the trees in 2023, photographer Thomas Peschak slipped into the black waters of Brazil’s Rio Negro. He waited quietly with his camera ready, hoping to catch a thief in the act. Fishermen nearby threw their nets into the river, unaware that a pink shadow was approaching. From the depths, a sleek Amazonian river dolphin appeared. Peschak held his breath and started shooting. The dolphin moved swiftly, poking holes in the net and stealing a catfish before vanishing into the dark. “They are very agile and move underwater with incredible skill,”…

A nature reserve in Gloucestershire has taken a big step to protect birds from deadly window collisions. The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Slimbridge has installed a special window film that birds can detect. The transparent protection helps prevent crashes without changing the building’s appearance. A solution to a widespread problem Every year, an estimated 100 million birds in the UK die after colliding with windows, according to the British Trust for Ornithology. The new technology uses a UV-active film that reflects light in a way visible to birds but remains almost invisible to people. This makes the glass…

A rare wildflower in East Devon is showing strong signs of recovery thanks to dedicated volunteers and landowners. Conservationists from the East Devon National Landscape team confirmed the positive development after years of decline. Community effort restores heath lobelia The heath lobelia, a delicate plant with striking purple-blue flowers, had suffered from disappearing open heathland and reduced grazing. Volunteers and local landowners joined forces to bring it back. They planted young specimens, collected seeds, and managed several sites near Shute and Kilmington. Year-round commitment pays off Nature engagement co-ordinator Ruth Worsley praised the volunteers’ commitment. She said they had worked…

Since late August, tens of thousands of Australians tune in to “Nestflix,” a 24-hour live stream capturing the high-stakes lives of peregrine falcons. First popular during the Covid pandemic, the livestream has become a cultural sensation. The falcons deliver airborne fights, breakups, births, and territorial battles atop a Melbourne skyscraper, keeping viewers on edge. Fans now watch eagerly as this year’s chicks, hatched since late September, prepare for their first flight. They sprint along the ledge, flapping their wings 34 stories above the street, while their mother glides past with pigeons in her talons. “She’s teasing them: ‘You want to…

As the COP30 summit begins in Belém, world leaders have sharply criticised US President Donald Trump for rejecting climate science. Trump, who skipped the gathering in the Amazonian city, was called a liar by the presidents of Colombia and Chile for denying global warming. Global unity on climate falters UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer admitted that international consensus on climate action has weakened. He said it had once united countries across political lines but added, “today sadly that consensus is gone.” Over the next two weeks, nations will negotiate a new deal focused on funding forest protection. However, leaders…