Author: OMN AI

Massive Deforestation RecordedSince 1985, approximately 52 million hectares of natural land in Brazil’s Amazon have been lost—an area bigger than Spain—according to MapBiomas. Nationwide, the total loss over the last 40 years amounts to 111.7 million hectares, more than three times the size of Germany. MapBiomas, a network of universities, NGOs, and tech companies, monitors changes using satellite imagery. Rapid Land ConversionBy 1985, Brazil had already converted 60% of its land over nearly five centuries for agriculture, mining, urban development, and infrastructure. “The remaining 40% of this conversion occurred in just four decades, from 1985 to 2024,” said Tasso Azevedo,…

Berries Ripening Ahead of ScheduleIn the UK, blackberries and other fruits are appearing earlier than usual, with some already shrivelling by mid-summer. Trees are shedding leaves sooner, apples are ripening, and acorns are falling to the ground. Experts warn that these signs are not simply an early autumn but indicate that nature is under significant stress. Record Heat and Drought ConditionsEngland has experienced its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures reaching 33.4°C, while five regions are currently under drought. Kathryn Brown, director of climate change and evidence at the Wildlife Trusts, explained that the unusually hot and dry spring…

New research reveals snow leopards uniquely target prey twice their size or more, unlike other big cats. Using 12 years of GPS data from Mongolia’s Tost Mountains, scientists found snow leopards prefer prime-aged male Siberian ibex. These ibex, over five years old, are heavier with bigger horns but less agile, making them easier targets despite their size. The steep, rocky terrain where snow leopards and ibex live plays a key role. Snow leopards ambush from above, chasing ibex downhill. Large body size and heavy horns help ibex escape on flat ground but slow them down on mountainsides, tipping the balance…

The Jurassic period, spanning from about 201.3 million to 145 million years ago, was a pivotal time in Earth’s history during the Mesozoic era. Named after the Jura Mountains’ limestone deposits, it marked the age when dinosaurs flourished across a changing planet. During this period, the supercontinent Pangaea continued breaking apart, leading to rising sea levels and the creation of warm, humid, subtropical climates that supported diverse plant life, including cycads, conifers, and early flowering plants. Oceans and inland seas were filled with marine reptiles, sharks, and abundant marine life, while gigantic dinosaurs roamed the land. Why the Jurassic Period…

Florida wildlife officials ask residents to help locate the rare rainbow snake, a nonvenomous species declining across the state. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) launched an initiative to collect sighting reports of rainbow snakes, which have become increasingly rare in recent decades. FWC research scientist Enge explained that each report provides critical data on the snakes’ current distribution and helps evaluate their health in Florida. Causes of Population Decline FWC attributes the rainbow snake’s decline to multiple factors, including its specialized diet. These semi-aquatic snakes primarily consume American eels, which also face decreasing numbers in Florida waters.…

Why would anyone endure freezing winds, icy waters, and rough seas to dig mud from the Antarctic seabed? Earlier this year, an international team of adventurous scientists did exactly that along the remote Antarctic Peninsula. Their mission aimed to uncover centuries of secrets about the Southern Ocean. Researchers will now share and analyse these rare mud samples worldwide. They hope to reveal how human activity, including a century of industrial whaling, affected Antarctica and the global environment. This study contributes to a broader effort to understand the complex relationship between the ocean and climate. A history of ocean life Scientists…

Firefighters across Southern Europe continue to battle numerous wildfires. The ongoing heatwave claims more lives and forces thousands to evacuate. In Greece, emergency crews describe scenes that look like “the end of the world.” Since Tuesday, dozens of people required hospital treatment for smoke inhalation. Strong winds and temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius repeatedly fuel the flames. Greece Battles Fires on Multiple Fronts In Greece, firefighters fight new blazes near the western port city of Patras and on the islands of Chios and Zakynthos. Authorities evacuated thousands of residents and tourists. “It looks like the end of the world,” said…

Representatives from 185 countries will meet in Uzbekistan from Nov. 24 to Dec. 5, 2025. They will debate trade rules for sharks, African hornbills, hyenas, vultures, palm trees, and other threatened species. Delegates will vote to limit or ban international trade in animals and plants, including skins, heads, and fins. This session marks the 20th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The Conference of the Parties happens every three years. It offers a chance to rein in the multibillion-dollar global wildlife trade. Trade remains the biggest threat to elephants, rhinos, tigers, and many other species.…