Author: Grace Johnson

A year of reckoning awaits the world’s oceans. After tidal shifts in 2025, 2026 will test whether promises to protect distant seas turn into action. From the High Seas Treaty and deep-sea mining to international ocean summits and EU marine policy, this year could define the future of our blue planet. Euronews reviews the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. High hopes for the high seas On 17 January 2026, the high seas will gain a legal framework that finally curbs decades of lawlessness. The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the BBNJ Agreement, comes into force. It promises to…

Ben Martill often watches deer roam outside his window. “In the past few years, there have been loads of them,” he says. But Ben does not live in a forest. He lives in a block of flats on a busy road in Horsham, West Sussex. Deer now appear on the main streets and traffic islands at night. “There are herds running up Crawley Road,” he adds. “Loads congregate at night on the traffic island of the bypass.” Ben, 33, works as a gardener. Some of his customers have faced deer breaking fences and stripping tree bark. He has also had…

From napping while flying to taking four-second catnaps to survive parenting, animals have evolved astonishing ways to sleep. Every animal with a brain needs sleep – and even some without brains sleep. Humans sleep, birds sleep, whales sleep, even jellyfish sleep. “Sleep is universal, even though it is very risky,” says Paul-Antoine Libourel of the Neuroscience Research Center in Lyon, France. When animals fall asleep, predators can strike. Yet the need for sleep forces every creature to rest, even in dangerous situations. Animals in extreme environments sleep in unusual ways: they steal seconds for parenting, doze during long migrations, or…

India’s rapid solar expansion attracts global praise. Yet beneath the success, a serious environmental problem is emerging. In just over a decade, India became the world’s third-largest solar power producer. Renewable energy now drives national climate strategy. Solar panels cover vast parks and rooftops in cities, towns, and villages. Large utility-scale projects supply most solar electricity. Millions of rooftop systems also feed power into the grid. Government data show nearly 2.4 million households adopted solar under subsidy programmes. Solar growth reduced reliance on coal-fired power. Thermal and other non-renewables still supply over half of installed capacity. Solar now provides more…

At first light in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s main city, residents begin a frantic search for water. Christmas is approaching, but dry pipes dampen the festive mood. With a population of six million, the city faces serious water shortages that have persisted for months. In some homes, plastic containers line the doorsteps, ready to be carried whenever a nearby tap flows again. City authorities ration water, supplying homes once a week, though some families wait far longer. The crisis, fueled by drought and rising demand, has forced many to turn to private vendors. These vendors source water from boreholes and…

The US government has immediately paused leases for offshore wind projects along the Atlantic coast, citing national security risks. Interior department cites radar and security threats The Department of the Interior announced the suspension of five large-scale wind projects to assess possible radar interference and risks to east coast cities. Officials said rapid technological developments abroad make the projects potentially vulnerable. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum warned that offshore wind farms could complicate airspace monitoring. He cited recent drone strikes in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East as examples. Burgum said officials must ensure the ability to distinguish friend from…

Researchers warn that extremely hot, humid conditions during pregnancy could stunt children’s growth. Millions of children risk shorter stature if heat-trapping emissions continue to warm the planet. Heat already threatens human health The dangers of extreme heat are well documented. The World Health Organisation reports that high temperatures worsen illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and asthma. This summer, heatwaves killed around 24,400 people across Europe. Scientists calculate that 16,500 of these deaths could have been avoided without human-caused warming, meaning climate change tripled the death toll. Researchers at UC Santa Barbara now say the risks of extreme weather extend…

The fragrant resin that scents festive seasons and fuels the wellness industry faces a serious threat. Its natural sources are rapidly declining, putting livelihoods and traditions at risk. A life devoted to frankincense Salaban Salad Muse has devoted his entire life to frankincense. He lives in Dayaha, a small town in Somaliland’s Sanaag region, and works as an experienced harvester of the aromatic resin. Frankincense comes exclusively from the Boswellia tree, a desert species with papery bark and sparse leaves. Each year, Salad Muse camps for three to six months near the grove his family has owned for generations. He…

As Christmas approaches, supermarket shelves fill with products for festive meals, including turkey, potatoes, cinnamon and chocolate. Many shoppers now notice higher prices or scarcer supplies for these traditional foods. Climate change disrupts harvests across the world, cuts yields and forces farmers to adapt quickly. Rising temperatures, extreme weather and fragile ecosystems now shape what ends up on Christmas tables. These pressures already affect availability, quality and cost for many seasonal favourites. An ingredient crisis for sweet Christmas treats Festive baking remains a cherished tradition, with families preparing gingerbread, Christmas cake and cinnamon rolls. This year, several essential ingredients prove…

The European Union has softened its 2035 car emissions ban, raising alarms about climate targets and the pace of electric vehicle adoption. On Tuesday, EU officials moved to ease the ban on sales of internal combustion engine cars in response to pressure from governments and automakers. Currently, EU law requires all new cars after 2035 to have zero CO2 emissions. Following lobbying from some member states and the automotive industry, the Commission reduced the target. From 2035 onwards, carmakers will need to achieve a 90 per cent tailpipe emissions reduction instead of 100 per cent. European Commission vice-president Stéphane Séjourné…