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.
Human Rights Crisis in Egypt Ahead of COP27
COP27, scheduled to be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November, is facing scrutiny for the region’s failure to address the recent human rights crisis and its implications in the upcoming climate negotiations.
What Brazil’s Election Could Mean for Environmental Cooperation
Brazilian citizens took to the polls on Oct. 2 to vote for a president, but as no candidate earned more than 50 percent of the vote, the election will have a run-off in late October.
Saudi Arabia in a Post-Oil World
Over the past two decades, the need to transition away from fossil fuels has become clear. Climate change has begun to increasingly impact the world, and worldwide acceptance of the theory has increased. In addition to the environmental impact, the supply of fossil fuels is finite and will inevitably run dry.
Storm Megi Causes Many Deaths In the Philippines
According to the latest report by the BBC, at least 167 people have died in landslides and floods since Tropical Storm Megi devastated the Philippines last Sunday. A further 1.9 million people have been adversely affected according to an estimation by the national disaster agency.
WHO Finds 99 Percent of Global Population Breathes Air that Exceeds Guidelines
Air pollution poses a major threat to human health, causing 7 million premature deaths. Recent WHO data finds that 99 percent of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits containing high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposure.
Defeating Malaria: An Ongoing Effort
Malaria remains the sixth leading cause of death among low-income countries, killing over 627,000 people globally– despite being preventable and curable. However, the past two decades have seen a dramatic decrease in malaria-related mortality.
UN Must Address Global Disparities in Plastic Pollution Treaty
On March 2, the UN committed to working on a first-of-its-kind treaty to address plastic pollution. The agreement marks one of the world's biggest commitments to restrict plastic waste as the globe faces a plastic pollution crisis. Nations have until 2024 to forge an international, legally binding agreement.
New Report Offers Digital Agriculture Solution to Sub-Saharan Africa
As Sub-Saharan Africa becomes increasingly concerned about food insecurity due to threats from climate change, the pandemic, and political uncertainty, a growing digital agriculture sector offers new possible solutions. According to a recent study a comprehensive approach of digital technology and policy reform could “increase crop production by more than 500 percent in some countries across the region, with positive results for food security and livelihoods.”
Space Exploration in Jeopardy after Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In the past decade, space exploration began to regain the allure that it once had during the space race. Private companies and governments are on the cusp of breakthrough changes to space travel, this time including settlement on Mars, space tourism, and the mining of other planets.
Europe Sacrifices Green Efforts Due to War in Ukraine
Europe is facing a worsening energy crisis and will be forced to put its green ambitions on hold due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In order for Europe to protect itself from potential gas stoppage from its current and largest energy supplier, Russia, policy makers in Europe are planning to take emergency measures.
Deadly Petropolis Mudslide: Poverty and Climate Disaster
On February 15, rapid waters swept houses and cars off Morro da Oficina, a favela in Petropolis, Brazil, just 40 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. The city bore more rain in one day than in all of February–about 10 inches of rain in under 24 hours. 176 were found dead, with more than 100 still missing.
Brazil’s Coming Election Is Crucial For The Future Of The Amazon Rainforest
According to government data published on On Feb 11, Brazil recorded the most deforestation ever in the Amazon rainforest for the month of January. In the last month, deforestation in Brazil's Amazon totaled 430 square kilometers, equaling an area more than seven times the size of Manhattan.
Report Calls Out Big Corporations for Falling Short of Net-Zero Pledges
To help limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial era levels, The Paris Agreement called for the world to aim for net zero emissions by 2050.