Ancient DNA reveals Maghreb communities preserved their culture and genes, even in a time of human migration: Doukanet el Khoutifa, Tunisia, where some of the remains were found. Giulio Lucarini, CC BY-NC-ND The Neolithic period began in southwest Asia around 12,000 years ago. It marked a major shift in human history as societies transitioned from …
Cop29: Indigenous communities still being sold short as the world decides how to regulate carbon markets: dee karen/Shutterstock As the annual UN climate conference, Cop29, draws to a close, negotiators, civil society observers and activists are staying up late, poring over draft texts that will determine how the international community addresses climate change for years …
The global food system is owned by an ever smaller number of companies – it’s damaging our health, our communities and the planet: creativeriver/Shutterstock Across the world, over 800 million people spend their days hungry. More than 2 billion have limited access to food. Yet today’s global food system produces enough to feed every person …
South African communities vs Shell: high court victories show that cultural beliefs and practices count in climate cases: Oyster gatherers on a Wild Coast beach at low tide. The sea is integral to these communities' lives and culture. PaulGregg When the Shell petroleum company announced in 2021 that it wanted to explore for fossil fuels …
Hateful graffiti blights communities and it’s something we need to tackle urgently: Hateful graffiti and other imagery plague communities across the UK, spreading a toxic message of division. Such graffiti targets people based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity. And sprayed graffiti is only one part of the problem. Hateful imagery can …
Rural communities are being left behind because of poor digital infrastructure, research shows: In an era where businesses and households depend on the internet for everything from marketing to banking and shopping, the lack of adequate digital access can be a significant hurdle. And our recent research shows that many homes and businesses in the …
How conspiracy theories can affect the communities they attack – new research: Scientists have learned a lot about why people believe in conspiracy theories and how they harm society over the past couple of decades. Yet little is known about how the groups targeted by conspiracy theories feel and behave. Our new research found that …
Getting climate funds to conflict zones – a case for working with armed groups and local communities: Conflict-ridden and fragile countries are among the most vulnerable to climate change and least prepared to deal with it. They are largely excluded from climate adaptation programmes and funding. This is partly because funding is channelled through national …
Faith communities are rallying to check climate change – their size and influence counts: Green Anglicans at a Climate Justice March Cape Town. Author provided According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 80% of the global population are motivated by a faith or spirituality. Faced with the triple planetary crises of pollution, …
Climate adaptation funds are not reaching frontline communities: what needs to be done about it: Communities around the world face increasingly severe and frequent impacts from climate change. They are on the “frontlines” of droughts, flooding, desertification and sea level rise. International climate finance is supposed to help. In the 2015 Paris Agreement, the world’s …
The climate crisis is making gender inequality in developing coastal communities worse: Across the world, women and men experience the impacts of the climate crisis in different ways. These are shaped by societal roles and responsibilities and result in widening inequalities between men and women. Sea-level rise, storm surges and high waves in coastal area …
Himalayan communities are under siege from landslides – and climate change is worsening the crisis: Three-quarters of annual rain in the Himalayas arrives in the monsoon season from June to September. Within this rainy period are sudden and extremely intense cloudbursts, which often “pop” over a relatively small area (akin to a cloud bursting open …
Tyson Fury’s Netflix series highlights the mental health challenges faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities: The Netflix documentary series, At Home With The Furys, provides a fascinating look at the day to day life of Tyson Fury, family man and heavyweight boxing world champion. A particular source of pride for Tyson is his heritage …
Morocco earthquake: why traditional earthen architecture is not to blame for the destruction communities have endured: The 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday, September 8 has claimed almost 3,000 lives. A further 5,530 people are injured, and the death toll is expected to rise. The epicentre was high in the Atlas Mountains. Entire …
Why beaver-like dams can protect communities from flooding – new research: A beaver-like dam at Wilde Brook on the Corve catchment in Shropshire. Daniel Jones, Author provided Low cost, human-made river barriers, similar to those built by beavers, can protect communities at risk of flooding. Our new research has found that such natural barriers intentionally …
How universities could help whole communities tackle climate change: Shutterstock As centres of learning, universities have the potential to help whole communities learn about and address climate change. Education can lead us to change our attitudes and behaviour. It can also help us deal with the anxiety or fear of doom that can stun us …
Ethiopia has one of Africa’s most ambitious housing policies – but the lottery-based system is pulling communities apart: New apartments blocks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images The shortage of adequate housing in cities is an issue around the globe, particularly among developing countries that are rapidly urbanising. …
Tackling online misogyny: what needs to be done in schools – and our communities: mooremedia/Shutterstock Research from the Children’s Commissioner for England has found that 79% of children have encountered violent pornography before they are 18. One-third of young people have reported receiving nude videos or photographs, with more than half sent from strangers. There …