Environment

A person in heavy cold-weather gear holds up a handmade sign at a temporary research camp on the Arctic ice near the North Pole. The snow-covered scene includes several pitched tents, icy ridges in the background, scientific instruments in the foreground, and clear blue skies.

Tilt

During the 20th century, human activity changed not only the surface of the planet but also its physical balance.

A satellite-derived image of Earth showing the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding continents, overlaid with false-colour data indicating phytoplankton concentrations. Bright greens and yellows highlight dense blooms near coastlines, particularly where the Amazon River meets the sea. Deep blues and purples mark nutrient-poor waters farther offshore. This image, based on NASA SeaWiFS data from 2003–2006, visualises chlorophyll levels that reflect the abundance of microscopic phytoplankton. These organisms photosynthesise using chlorophyll, and their seasonal growth is fuelled by land-borne nutrients and winter mixing. Blooms peak in spring and decline by early summer as nutrients are depleted and grazers multiply.

Ocean Colour Change

Warming oceans are shifting plankton distributions, making polar waters greener and subtropical regions bluer.

An industrial factory emits thick plumes of smoke from multiple chimneys near the Yangtze River in China. The greyish-white smoke billows into the overcast sky, partially obscuring the green, terraced hills in the background. The factory complex is surrounded by dense vegetation in the foreground, contrasting sharply with the pollution above.

Proxy Measures

Democracies may appear greener by offshoring pollution, shifting environmental harm to less democratic countries.

Rows of industrial computer units mounted on blue metal shelving inside a cryptocurrency mining facility operated by Genesis Mining in Iceland. Each unit has visible cooling fans, and the space is brightly lit with exposed wiring and ventilation ducts along the ceiling.

The Cost of Crypto

Bitcoin mining in the US causes widespread air pollution, affecting millions due to fossil fuel use.

A dense bloom of translucent moon jellyfish drifts in greenish-blue water. Their round, bell-shaped bodies and delicate, trailing tentacles create a shimmering, ghostly pattern on the surface. Light reflects off the water, accentuating the jellyfish's almost ethereal appearance as they float in unison.

Where Resistance Grows

Jellyfish blooms fuel bacterial growth, increasing antimicrobial resistance gene spread – a risk to ocean and human health.

A golf course at Newbiggin Golf Club with manicured green fairways and sandy dunes in the foreground. A tractor is maintaining the course while a golfer pulls a trolley nearby. In the background, wind turbines and power lines stretch across the horizon, contrasting the natural landscape with industrial elements.

Greening the Fairway

Golf courses occupy more land than renewable energy – repurposing them could boost solar and wind capacity.

A large airtanker plane drops a vivid red cloud of fire retardant over a smoky, burning hillside in Chelan, Washington. The wildfire, part of the Chelan Complex fire, creeps dangerously close to residential homes nestled at the base of the hills. Thick smoke drifts across the landscape, partially obscuring the scorched terrain. The scene captures the intense effort to protect the community from the advancing flames.

Burned to Earth

Wildfire retardants have been found to contain toxic metals, impacting soil and water.

A polluted section of the Huron River shoreline in Michigan, where foamy, discoloured water swirls around fallen tree trunks and debris. A slick, pale layer of contamination floats on the water's surface, contrasting with the dark, reflective river. Green leaves sprout from the foreground, juxtaposing natural growth with visible pollution.

Leavings

PFAS are persistent chemical pollutants, but bacteria can help degrade them over time.

A serene sunset over a calm body of water, with the golden-orange glow of the sun illuminating the surface. Silhouetted mountains form a jagged horizon in the distance, and a small boat drifts peacefully across the water. The scene evokes a sense of tranquillity and natural beauty.

Burning Seas

Ocean temperatures in 2024 reached record highs, signalling escalating global warming, with severe consequences for weather, ecosystems, and vulnerable communities.

A traffic jam in Mumbai. There are lots of cars and pollution.

Shrouds of Ash

India’s air pollution causes millions of deaths, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and interventions.