Paul Hudson, Leiden University From the Czech Republic to Spain, Europe has been plagued by devastating floods this autumn. Climate scientists agree that severe flooding was probably driven by climate change resulting in record-breaking rainfall. Warmer temperatures increase the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere, especially over warmer oceans, which increases the
The era of climate change as a distant concept or a matter for academic discourse has passed. It is now a stark and undeniable truth, evidenced by rising temperatures, intensifying weather extremes, and rapidly diminishing ice caps. These are not abstract phenomena—they are the visible warning signs of a planet in distress. The
When oceanographer Toste Tanhua and his research team set up a trial system to monitor aquaculture conditions near Barcelona in 2023, they were keenly aware of the havoc a powerful storm had wreaked on the region three years earlier. Storm Gloria ravaged southeast Spain in January 2020, killing 13 people and causing millions
Warmer temperatures in northern Canada, the result of human-caused global warming, are making ice roads less and less reliable. (Shutterstock) Homa Kheyrollah Pour, Wilfrid Laurier University and Daniel Gaudet Walking on the ice of the Great Bear Lake in the N.W.T. is a truly unforgettable experience. It is simply one of Canada’s most
German mechanical engineer and research manager Martin Osbild is a fan of avoiding waste. At home, he would far sooner repair than replace broken household items – from washing machines to food blenders and bicycles. At work, the same environmental principles are high on his agenda. Osbild is leading a team of researchers
James Wright, University of Southampton; Lorna-Grace Okotto, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology , and Mawuli Dzodzomenyo, University of Ghana The use of disposable diapers (nappies) is growing in African countries. The disposable diaper undoubtedly makes it easier for many parents to work or spend time on other things, including their
The Ascendance of Green Engineering in Manufacturing Green engineering is orchestrating a paradigm shift within the manufacturing sphere. Enterprises now elevate sustainable methodologies to the forefront, ensuring operational efficacy while championing environmental stewardship. This evolution signifies a harmonious convergence of industrial ambition and ecological responsibility. The Imperative of Sustainability in Manufacturing Sustainability in
Ph. IRENA/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND Isabela del Alcázar, IE University If I had to sum up COP29 in a single word, it would be entropy. Borrowed from thermodynamics, this concept describes the delicate balance between order and disorder, a principle that governs both natural and human systems. An ecosystem, much like the climate negotiations,
Dr Marika Rošā, an expert on energy efficiency from the Technical University in Riga, wishes that everyone would just stop talking about it. “I think the term energy efficiency shouldn’t be used anymore because people don’t care about it.” Her colleague Nicholas Stancioff, the founder of NGO Ēkubirojs, which is behind the so-called deep
In today’s fast-paced world, technology and ecology are forming a critical symbiosis to confront the pressing challenges of sustainability. This junction has birthed the domain of green engineering—a field where innovation and ecological principles blend to mitigate the environmental impact of human endeavors. Green engineering harnesses technological advancements to craft systems, products, and