Science and Environment
The Science and Environment Section of IR Insider publishes breaking news reports and analyses regarding global scientific and environmental developments and their broader social, political, and economic implications. Topics covered in the Science and Environment Section may include space programs, climate change, energy and conservation, pollution, endangered species, and beyond. Our section editor is Anisha Bhardwaj.
COP28 Looms: Global Climate Challenges and Funding Dilemmas Take Center Stage in Dubai Talks
On Oct. 25, Hurricane Otis struck the city of Acapulco on the Pacific coast of Mexico, leaving the country with landslides, flooding, and devastation, becoming the second-strongest storm in Mexico's history.
Mexico Lies In The Eye of The Storm After Hurricane Otis Struck The Nation
On Oct. 25, Hurricane Otis struck the city of Acapulco on the Pacific coast of Mexico, leaving the country with landslides, flooding, and devastation, becoming the second-strongest storm in Mexico's history.
Following Consecutive Earthquakes, Afghanistan is Becoming The Epicenter of Epicenters
This Wednesday, a third earthquake struck northwestern Afghanistan, a mere days after two powerful tremors resulted in over 4,000 deaths and injuries. All three earthquakes reached a magnitude of 6.3, resulting in the declaration of a state of emergency by the Taliban Administration.
Artificial Intelligence: Full Speed Ahead
Artificial intelligence advancement seems to be reaching breakneck speed. The latest? Mind reading.
![[Op-ed] EU to Double Renewables by 2030: A Shift in Energy Geopolitics](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1681959474430-Y04FMSBT04DI2R81361C/Screen+Shot+2023-04-19+at+10.57.50+PM.png)
[Op-ed] EU to Double Renewables by 2030: A Shift in Energy Geopolitics
Negotiators in the EU recently reached a deal to double EU renewables by 2030, with the aim for renewable energy to make up 42.5% of their power grid by the end of the decade.
The Resurgence of Fossil Fuels: Oil Demand Has Surged in Recent Months
President Biden's approval of an $8 billion oil drilling project, which contradicted a campaign trail promise, is not an isolated incident.
![[Op-Ed] The Origin of COVID-19: Obscuring Truth and Science](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1681102572688-9HI21LXNVPZDF88CRP5B/global-covid.jpeg)
[Op-Ed] The Origin of COVID-19: Obscuring Truth and Science
Misinformation and mistrust have shrouded the origin of COVID-19 since early 2020.
![[Op-Ed] Why Rainy Seasons Don't Mean the End of a Drought](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1681102137996-XYFYIQ4PXTA5H0AFOELE/Screen+Shot+2023-04-10+at+12.45.48+AM.png)
[Op-Ed] Why Rainy Seasons Don't Mean the End of a Drought
This season in California has experienced an unusually wet winter following the driest three years on record.
The Collapse of Antarctic Currents and What This Means for Our Climate’s Future
Scientists in Australia are predicting deep water flows that drive ocean currents to decline by 40% by 2050, creating major changes in the future of the earth’s climate.
Promising Advancements Made on a Male Contraceptive
Jochen Buck, Melanie Balbach, and Lonny Levain of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York discovered an enzyme that effectively stuns sperm.
Developments in East Palestine Train Derailment
On Feb. 3, 2023, a train carrying harmful compounds including vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.
New Zealand Faces Difficult Decisions in the Aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle
New Zealand declared its third-ever state of emergency on Feb. 14, as it was hit by the worst storm of the century.
A Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough: What This Means for Science and Climate
This Tuesday, scientists in California announced a significant breakthrough in producing nuclear fusion energy.
![[Op-Ed] Proposed Carbon Trading Systems Continue to Hinder Climate Change Mitigation Efforts](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1670643997283-OEDS9EKKVRK37L7WZEQR/S1-vb-pJfp1XYstKv6HfqVhc-W3YZ0SrMw6ub4Oeyi2C81Wyl2q83xGA0jkW3e4_qP0PKcNfflgo1OPLa6rsQGqJyaZmcfQ9lBzXyWUoW5V85jR1hKBhe4h70BHb.jpg)
[Op-Ed] Proposed Carbon Trading Systems Continue to Hinder Climate Change Mitigation Efforts
On Dec. 7, the World Bank announced a global tracking system to monitor carbon trading markets and improve transparency.
World’s Biggest Telescope Gets Underway
After almost 30 years of planning, development, and research, construction on the world’s largest radio telescope, the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), is set to begin in South Africa and Australia.
![[Op-Ed] What COP27 Got Right and What it Got Wrong](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1669902608030-YDRVRC8SM4Z93VFENJ1D/Screen+Shot+2022-12-01+at+8.49.19+AM.png)
[Op-Ed] What COP27 Got Right and What it Got Wrong
From Nov. 6 to Nov. 20, world leaders and delegates convened for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Party, hosted in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
China’s Space Station Marks a Major Step in Their Space Advancement
13 hours after launching from Earth on Oct. 31, China’s Mengtian rocket module docked at the Tiangong space station to finish the station’s assembly.
Reports of Global Warming in Europe Quicker than Global Average
Following an unusually hot summer in Europe this year, new reports show that the region is warming at twice the global average.
![[Op-Ed] Rishi Sunak’s Environmental Track Record is Confusing and Dangerous](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/631787b0b9ac8917540f8f4a/1667445796413-F27AYFA5QVG0Y2AH92FD/Screen+Shot+2022-11-02+at+11.22.53+PM.png)
[Op-Ed] Rishi Sunak’s Environmental Track Record is Confusing and Dangerous
Following Liz Truss’ disastrous budget collapse and subsequent resignation, Rishi Sunak is set to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the head of the Conservative Party.
War in Ukraine Poses Nuclear Danger to Region
After Russian forces invaded Ukraine in Feb. 2022, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine quickly fell to aggressor forces. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, was taken over in March. Now, increased fighting in the area threatens to destabilize the plant and lead to a regional disaster.
Fighting in the region resumed over the summer and missile and artillery strikes hit vulnerable power lines that ran to the plant, reducing the power output of the plant to a minimum. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was allowed to visit the plant later in the summer, prompting Russia to permit Ukrainian upkeep personnel to repair the plant and restore safety.