When COVID struck, our homes became our offices, schools and gyms. But for many people living without gardens and sometimes even natural light, the conditions were grim. Here, Professor Flora…Read More >
Environment
How much do clouds weigh?
Torben, aged 10, from London wrote to The Conversation to ask ‘How much do clouds weigh? Dr Rob Thompson from the Meteorology Department responded, explaining how maths coupled with information…Read More >
Why do we need to meet the #BeesNeeds?
Bees and other pollinators are facing many challenges such as climate change, pests and diseases, habitat loss and misuse of pesticides. We can all help safeguard pollinators by ensuring our…Read More >
Renewable energy supply and demand during lockdown – and the best time to bake bread
Britain generated nearly half of its electricity from renewable sources in the first three months of 2020. And then the pandemic happened, and all of a sudden, energy demand dropped dramatically…Read More >
Hundreds of elephants are mysteriously dying in Botswana – Dr Vicky Boult explains what we know
Worrying news has recently come to light: hundreds of elephants have been found dead in Botswana, and as yet, there is no clear cause of death. Here, Dr Vicky Boult,…Read More >
Enabling a just transition to England’s new agri-environment scheme
The UK’s decision to leave the EU is seen by the Government as an opportunity to reform UK agricultural land policy. Researchers from the University of Reading and the University…Read More >
Is racism and bigotry in our DNA?
As part of The Conversation‘s ‘Life’s Big Questions’ series, Tom Oliver, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and author of ‘the Self Delusion’ explains why humans, although fundamentally cooperative, need…Read More >
Advanced cyclone forecasting is leading to early action – and it’s saving thousands of lives
On May 18, a massive tropical cyclone with sustained winds of nearly 150 miles per hour was barrelling across the Bay of Bengal towards the low-lying coasts of East India…Read More >
COVID-19: addressing conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories can help us construct order out of disorder, but they can be dangerous. During the COVID-19 pandemic, outlandish theories about the source of the illness have gained a…Read More >
As sea levels rise, are we ready to live behind giant walls?
Climate change, it’s fair to say, is complicated. And it’s big. One of the main challenges of responding effectively is simply getting your head around the scale of the problem….Read More >
