Germany, France call on EU countries to also ban culling of male chicks

France and Germany are now calling on other EU countries to follow their lead in banning the controversial practice of culling male chicks, which both countries pledged to end from January 2022. 

Forests the size of France regrown since 2000

An area of forest the size of France has regrown naturally across the world in the last 20 years, a study suggests. The restored forests have the potential to soak up the equivalent of 5.9 gigatonnes of CO2.

Plant communication: A new device can talk to plants

Singapore scientists have developed  a plant communication device that delivers electrical signals to and from plants. By monitoring the plants’ electrical signals, we may detect possible distress signals and abnormalities.

The meat paradox: Why we eat animals

The global appetite for meat is still growing, despite what we know about animal suffering and the environmental cost of eating them. 70% of global agricultural land is used for livestock farming.  

Biodiverse urban green spaces strengthen human immune systems

An Australian research team has found that revegetation of green spaces within cities can improve soil microbiota diversity towards a more natural, biodiverse state, which has been linked to human health benefits.

People are realizing how badly they need nature

Coronavirus is forcing people to reevaluate natural outdoor spaces for the first time in decades. Ideally, this pandemic experience will lead planners in urban areas to redesign for more natural green spaces.

Extinction of marine megafauna

Defined as the largest animals in the oceans, with a body mass that exceeds 45kg, examples include sharks, whales, seals and sea turtles - threatened marine megafauna, is facing extinction and we will face consequences.

Iceland recommends hugging trees instead of people

The Icelandic Forestry Service released a statement where it is encouraging people to cuddle up to a tree. It is highly recommended that people get outdoors during the pandemic.

Ancestor of all animals identified in Australian fossils

Geologists have discovered the first ancestor on the family tree that contains most animals today, including humans. The wormlike creature, Ikaria wariootia, is the earliest bilaterian.

Children need an hour of nature time each day

A recent study shows that children should spend at least one hour playing and spending time in nature each day. Like that they demonstrate a remarkable increase in personal wellbeing and health.

New whale species discovered along the coast of Hokkaido

A new beaked whale species Berardius minimus, which has been long postulated by local whalers in Hokkaido, Japan, has been confirmed.

Prada to stop using fur from next year

The Italian fashion house will no longer use fur from next year, joining the list of fur-free brands.

Green Spaces as Kids; Better Mental Health Later

Children who grow up with greener surroundings have up to 55 percent less risk of developing various mental disorders later in life. This is shown by a new study emphasizing the need for designing green and healthy cities for the future.

China and India help make planet leafier

China and India, two of the world's biggest polluters, are making it leafier - for now, a report says. The greening effect stems mainly from ambitious tree-planting in China and intensive farming in both countries.

Bees can do basic arithmetic

The revelation that even the miniature brain of a honeybee can grasp basic mathematical operations has implications for the future development of AI.