Author: Grace Johnson

Reform Deal Ends Long StalemateAustralia prepares the biggest overhaul of its nature laws in decades as the government pushes major reforms with an independent environment regulator. The Labor government secured support from the Greens after talks with the opposition collapsed. The reforms add new protections for native forests, tighten land-clearing rules and restrict fast-tracking for coal and gas projects. Critics argue the plan still lacks ambition. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the laws will support nature and business while accelerating major projects linked to housing, renewable energy and critical minerals. With Greens backing, the package will likely clear the Senate…

Record floods hit Thailand Parts of Thailand face record floods that have killed at least 33 people as authorities deploy military ships and helicopters to support relief efforts. The deluge has battered ten southern provinces for a week. Hat Yai, a key business hub near Malaysia, reports its heaviest rainfall in 300 years with 335 millimetres in one day. Photos show submerged streets and houses while desperate residents wait on rooftops for rescue. Neighbouring countries face rising devastation Relentless rain also strikes nearby nations. In Vietnam, the death toll climbs to 98 within a week. In Malaysia, more than 19,000…

Hidden Lifelines for Migratory BirdsBillions of migratory birds rely on Central America’s Five Great Forests as winter shelters and vital stopover points. These forests hold up to half the global populations of several declining species, making them irreplaceable. Rapid deforestation now puts their future at serious risk.Every spring, the songs of Wood Thrushes and warblers return to parks and neighborhoods across eastern North America. Few people know that these birds spend most of their lives far to the south and depend on the remote forests of Central America for survival during the rest of the year.A new study from the…

Ash cloud reaches IndiaA plume of volcanic ash from Ethiopia swept across the Red Sea through Oman and Yemen before reaching Delhi, according to the India Meteorological Department. The Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted on Sunday morning after several thousand dormant years and sent a towering ash column into the atmosphere. Several Indian flights were cancelled, delayed or rerouted as aviation officials asked airlines to avoid affected routes. Experts said the level of ash contamination remains unclear but Delhi’s already poor air quality should not worsen. Threats to aircraft and satellite systemsVolcanic ash contains tiny abrasive particles that damage aircraft engines,…

The UK now ranks as the most expensive country to develop nuclear power, a government review found. Officials blamed the sector’s “overly complex” bureaucracy for high costs. The review, commissioned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, called for a “radical reset” of the government’s nuclear strategy. Experts say a streamlined approach could save Britain tens of billions of pounds and reverse years of industry decline. The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce emphasized the urgency as the UK seeks to expand nuclear capacity to meet future energy needs and achieve net zero targets. Complex regulation drives up costs The report highlighted a fragmented…

In three decades of climate summits, COP30 in Belém, Brazil, stands out as one of the most divisive. Many countries left the meeting furious that the final agreement made no mention of fossil fuels, the main driver of global warming. Others, especially nations benefiting from continued fossil fuel production, felt validated. The summit revealed how fractured global consensus has become on tackling climate change. Observers called this event the “COP of truth,” highlighting both the confrontations and the small wins. Brazil struggles to unite participants The most notable outcome from COP30 is that the global climate process remains alive, but…

Legend says the Santiago River once swallowed any canoe that dared explore it. Today, an indigenous community uncovers surprising species in its waters. We stepped into a wooden canoe floating on the murky Santiago River, ready to enter one of the Amazon’s least-studied ecosystems. Until recently, scientists had no clear record of which fish inhabited this stretch of water. After a two-day journey from Quito, Ecuador’s capital, photographer Karen Toro and I neared Kaputna, an indigenous community that has revealed new species in these remote waters. Kaputna, the community at the heart of discovery Kaputna lies surrounded by untouched jungle,…

Australia steps back from its bid Turkey now appears set to host COP31 after Australia withdrew its offer. UN rules give hosting rights for 2026 to a group including Western Europe, Australia and others. Both sides refused to yield for months. Australia now supports Turkey after talks at COP30 in Brazil. In return, Australia’s minister will chair the negotiations. Observers express surprise because host nations usually hold the presidency. Experts now wait to see how this partnership works in practice. Mixed reactions across the Pacific Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls the deal an “outstanding result” in an interview with…

A new crisis unfolds as African penguins clash with fishing fleets for dwindling fish stocks. A sweeping analysis shows how these birds now enter direct competition with commercial vessels when prey runs low. This pressure intensifies the struggle of a species already near collapse. Growing Threat from Fishing Fleets A study from the University of St Andrews reveals that Critically Endangered African penguins forage far more often in the same waters as commercial fishing boats in years with scarce fish. This pattern raises the stakes for a species suffering rapid decline. The research, published on November 17 in the Journal…

Brazil Expands Protected LandsBrazil, host of COP30, creates ten new Indigenous territories as protests intensify around the climate summit. The designation protects culture and environment under national law, although authorities do not always enforce these rules. The move follows earlier actions by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose government recognised eleven territories last year. Dinamam Tuxu from the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil says every new territory gives communities a reason to celebrate. Legal Recognition and Global ImpactThe government will formalise the step through a presidential decree. Tuxu calls for more legal recognition to give Indigenous groups control…