COVID-19 update: Why did UK call BA.2 a ‘variant under investigation’?
At least 40 countries have detected this omicron sub-lineage since November 17, 2021
Eat Out to Help Out: Crowded restaurants may have driven UK COVID-19 spike
During August, the UK government ran the Eat Out to Help Out scheme to get cash into the hands of hospitality businesses, boost confidence and …
How worried should you be about coronavirus variants? A virologist explains his concerns
While current vaccines may not prevent mild symptomatic COVID-19 caused by these variants, they will likely prevent moderate and severe disease, …
Special Relationship: New Anglo-American energy partnership is Western fossil fuel hypocrisy at its best
Instead of filling the gap left by Russian fossil fuels with renewables, the UK has signed a deal with its traditional transatlantic ally which …
When did modern lizards originate? A beast from the Triassic Period offers answers
‘Cryptovaranoides microlanius’ lived in limestone cracks around Bristol about 250-200 million years ago
WWF Global Futures pushes ‘nature-based solutions’ agenda
They are not only a distraction from reducing consumption and decarbonising all sectors of the domestic economy, but also promise to intensify …
Why Brexit is bad news for climate change
EU had some of the most progressive policies on cutting greenhouse gas emissions but post-exit UK will likely roll back some of these in order to …
Only a piglet in Russia’s war on patents
Post-Ukraine, Russia has held back from appropriating intellectual property despite a law to punish unfriendly countries
New CoP president’s first foreign engagement disappoints
In addition to being regressive on equity, ambition and markets, Claire O'Neill also has disturbing ideas about the new mantras of 'net zero'…
DNA sequencing of brown trout to improve conservation: Scientists
The salmonid species' superpowers made them one of the first to recolonise previously frozen freshwater areas from the sea at the end of the last …
Methane emissions from oil, gas rigs may be 50% more than estimated
This finding by researchers led by scientists from Princeton University challenges the accuracy of methane emission estimation processes
Patterns in the sky
It is that time of the year again when starlings roam the skies in huge swarms that form distinct patterns. Down To Earth tells you more about …
Britain and Europe: a long history of conflict and cooperation
British history is deeply connected to Europe and whatever the result of its referendum, this will continue
To predict monsoon in India accurately, scientists launch £8-million project
In a first ever, scientists from the UK and India will study both oceanic and atmospheric measurements for accurate prediction of monsoon in India
Greening food transport
Cold storage trucks are important to ferry food. A new British technology would use liquid air to power truck refrigeration units. But is it …
Five years after Paris: How countries’ climate policies match up to their promises, and who’s aiming for net zero emissions
So far, countries’ individual plans for how they will lower their greenhouse gas emissions don’t come close to adding up to the Paris …
TikTok, Microsoft: Govt agendas are driving businesses. Here is what can be done
To ban access of foreign companies, and expect domestic companies and the government to profit profit directly from it, is a dangerous line to cross
Per capita emissions of nations should converge by 2050, says UK commission
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution supports the Southern demand for equity in climate negotiations. Will the UK government adopt the …
Delaying the second COVID-19 vaccine dose: A medical expert answers key questions
The uncertainty is around how long the protective effect of the first dose will last without a second shot
Coronavirus new variant: Genomics researcher answers key questions
The new variant is touted to be responsible for an increasing proportion of cases in parts of the United Kingdom
African exporters face choppy waters in the wake of Brexit
Emerging market countries that rely heavily on commodity exports will be hit hardest by Britain's decision to leave the European Union
Heightened risk
“Superbug” gene levels in microbes are 60 per cent higher in the upper Gangetic areas during pilgrimage season
Neo-addiction
Youngsters are getting hooked on flavoured e-cigarettes. Studies belie manufacturers’ claims
What is CoP26? Here’s how global climate negotiations work and what’s expected from the Glasgow summit
CoP26 will be a complex process, but it’s how international law and institutions can help solve problems that no single country can fix on …
A week of arrogance and distrust
An interdependent world can’t be an inequitable world. We are seriously off track on many counts, writes Sunita Narain