Leuven: This forward-thinking city has banned cars from its centre
Home to 171 nationalities, the historic city of Leuven in Belgium has become one of Europe’s most climate-conscious destinations. Winner of the European Capital of Innovation Award in 2020, the mayor’s office has been investing the €1 million prize money…
Extinct ‘fantastic giant tortoise’ found alive on the Galápagos Islands
Believed to be extinct for more than a century, a rare species of giant tortoise is in fact still alive. Scientists assumed that the chelonoidis phantasticus had died out more than a century ago. The species is better known as…
Human urine could be an effective and less polluting crop fertilizer
French researchers think they may have found a unique natural alternative to chemical fertilisers. Their discovery reduces environmental pollution and helps to feed a growing global population, all thanks to an unexpected ingredient – human urine. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers boost…
Vaquitas: Scientists find last of the species can survive inbreeding – if illegal fishing stops
The plight of vaquitas has only worsened in recent years, but scientists have some relatively good news about the little porpoise. Despite only around 10 individuals still existing in Mexico, a team of biologists have found that the species remains…
Spanish diver rescues 12-metre long whale who was trapped in an illegal fishing net
In a gripping underwater rescue, Spanish divers have freed a 12-metre long humpback whale entangled in an illegal drift net off the Balearic island of Mallorca. One of the divers was 32-year-old marine biologist Gigi Torras. Torras said last Friday…
Solar panels could be on all Europe’s public buildings by 2025, in phase out of Russian fossil fuels
The European Commission is hoping to jumpstart a large-scale rollout of solar energy and rebuild Europe’s solar manufacturing industry. The plan is part of its bid to wean countries off Russian fossil fuels, according to a draft document seen by…
These surgeons have performed the first ‘net-zero’ cancer operation
The world’s first ‘net-zero’ operation has been performed in the UK, paving the way for more sustainable practices in healthcare. Doctors at Solihull Hospital in the West Midlands carried out a five-hour bowel cancer surgery that was completely carbon neutral….
Europe’s greenest city has free public transport and highways for bees
As cities around the world scramble to find greener modes of living, one European capital is already leading the way in the race for sustainability. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia and the most northerly of the Baltic cities, has implemented…
‘Night solar panels’ are able to generate enough energy to charge a phone. But how do they work?
Specially designed panels could help solve the current problems with solar energy, by generating power once the sun has gone down. The panels were discovered in 2020, when scientists at the University of California Davis, US, hit the mainstream. Created…
How Zurich’s plan to turn off natural gas for good is being boosted by the war in Ukraine
Zurich is shutting down its natural gas network in whole sections of the city to fight climate change – and save money. Switzerland’s biggest city started the plan a decade ago as part of its environmental strategy. Residents are being…