News archive 2019
Nine climate tipping points now “active”, warn scientists
More than half of the climate tipping points identified a decade ago are now “active”, a group of leading scientists have warned.
Meeting the challenges facing fisheries climate risk insurance
Insurance schemes with the potential to improve the resilience of global fisheries face a host of future challenges, researchers say.
University experts feature in prestigious ranking of world’s most influential scientists
Leading climate, environment and health academics from the University of Exeter have been recognised as being amongst the world’s most influential researchers, according to a prestigious new ranking.
Satellites are key to monitoring ocean carbon
Satellites now play a key role in monitoring carbon levels in the oceans, but we are only just beginning to understand their full potential.
Exeter scientist up for award alongside Greta Thunberg
An Exeter scientist has been nominated for a climate communication award – alongside environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
Climate change could drive British crop farming north and west
Unchecked climate change could drive Britain’s crop growing north and west, leaving the east and south east unable to support crop growing, new research suggests
Widespread drying of European peatlands in recent centuries
Many of Europe’s peatlands are currently the driest they have been in the last 1,000 years, new research shows.
Bean tree plan to protect Amazon
Amazon deforestation could be slowed by planting bean trees that would keep soils fertile and help smallholders make a living.
Bid to reconstruct richness of prehistoric oceans
Scientists are reconstructing the world’s “pristine” prehistoric oceans.
‘Great West’ can lead world in tackling climate change
The ‘Great West’ can lead the world in efforts to tackle climate change.
New international project will investigate hidden costs of floods communities
The University of Exeter will lead an international project to investigate the hidden impact of adaptation measures designed to protect flood-prone communities worldwide.
Devon's Net-Zero Task Force hits the ground running at its first meeting
The first step in Devon’s journey towards carbon neutrality was taken today when Devon’s Net-Zero Task Force met for the first time.
Food proves to be the magic ingredient in changing Cornish lives
New research from the University of Exeter shows that the Food for Change programme, which uses growing, cooking and trading activities to inspire change, is making a huge difference to people’s lives across Cornwall.
Scientists strengthen cooperation, U.K. now shares responsibility with Norway for developing ocean greenhouse gas measurements
The U.K. will join hosting the Ocean Thematic Centre within ICOS, a European research infrastructure measuring greenhouse gases on the atmosphere, land and oceans. Long-term measurement of the seas is important since the oceans take up about one quarter of the carbon dioxide humans release to the atmosphere, reducing the rate of climate change.
Impact of climate change on global banana yields revealed
Climate change could negatively impact banana cultivation in some of the world’s most important producing and exporting countries, a study has revealed.
Rainforests can only absorb CO2 as long as nutrient stores last
How much carbon dioxide can tropical rainforests absorb?
Gulf between UK fracking industry and public opinion laid bare as less than 1 in 10 people say regulation of shale gas extraction is too strict
A major new public attitudes survey on fracking shows people have low trust in the energy companies involved and want decisions taken at a local level.
Sustainable land management key to reducing Amazon wildfires, study shows
The unrelenting deforestation of the Amazon region could lead to a dramatic increase to the risk of destructive wildfire outbreaks, research has shown.
Explore nature’s mysterious hidden worlds
Delve into the hidden world of microorganisms, discover the strange creatures that lurk in the deep ocean and the frozen continent, and be amazed by secretive glowing animals at this year’s Science in the Square.
Plate tectonics may have driven “Cambrian Explosion”, study shows
The quest to discover what drove one of the most important evolutionary events in the history of life on Earth has taken a new, fascinating twist.
Universities have alerted us to the scale of the climate crisis – now they must lead in showing society how to solve it
esearch associate in Energy Policy at the University of Exeter, writes for the Conversation UK
Armed conflict risks could be heightened by future climate impacts, study shows
Climate change could heighten the risk of future outbreaks of armed conflict and civil war, a study has said.
Exeter climate scientist appointed MBE
A leading climate scientist has been appointed MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Rapid retreat of Arctic coastline revealed in images from the air
Extreme erosion of Arctic coastlines in a changing climate – up to a metre a day – has been revealed with drone surveys.
Fishing among worst jobs for health
People working in the fishing industry have among the poorest health of all workers in England and Wales, new research suggests.
Climate emergency debated at University of Exeter
Hundreds of people gathered to discuss climate and environmental issues at the University of Exeter last night.
Why my fears about climate change made me cross the line that separates academia from activism
James Dyke, Senior Lecturer in Global Systems at the University of Exeter, writes for the Conversation UK
Call for evidence on climate change extended
The Committee on Climate Change has extended the deadline on a call for evidence to identify relevant published information about the risks and opportunities facing the UK from climate change.
Are winter wildfires actually due to climate change?
Professor Richard Betts, Chair in Climate Impacts at the University of Exeter and Head of Climate Impacts Research at the Met Office Hadley Centre, writes for the Conversation UK
Natural resources valued differently by men and women, study shows
Men and women value, access and use resources from the natural environment in distinct and different ways, a new study has shown.
Faster CO₂ rise expected in 2019
With emissions already at a record high, the build-up of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere could be larger than last year due to a slower removal by natural carbon sinks.
Small trees are among the oldest in Congolese rainforest
Forest giants have long been considered the oldest trees in tropical forests, but new research shows small trees can also be very old, and can even grow older than the big ones.
Local focus could help tackle global problems
People’s love for their local areas could be harnessed to tackle global environmental problems, researchers say.