Environment

Why is the universe ripping itself apart? A new study of exploding stars shows dark energy may be more complicated than we thought

The remains of a Type Ia supernova – a kind of exploding star used to measure distances in the universe. NASA / CXC / U.Texas, CC BY Brad E Tucker, Australian National University What is the universe made of? This question has driven astronomers for hundreds of years. For the past quarter of a century, scientists have believed “normal” stuff like atoms and molecules that make up you, me, Earth, […]

9 January, 2024

Environment

Who protects nature better: The state or communities? It’s complicated

By Shreya Dasgupta via Mongabay In a new study, more than 50 researchers conducted a review comparing the effectiveness of state-managed protected areas and areas managed by Indigenous peoples and local communities. The review found that comparing the two was very challenging for various reasons, including the difficulty in figuring out who was managing an area, as well as a lack of comparable data and different groups of researchers measuring […]

9 January, 2024

Environment

Do carbon credits really help communities that keep forests standing?

By John Cannon via Mongabay Communities play a critical role in REDD+, a forest conservation strategy that aims to reduce emissions that can be sold as credits to raise money for forest protection. REDD+ projects often include components for the benefit of the communities, such as a focus on alternative livelihoods and provision of health care and education. But reports that REDD+ communities have faced abuses and rights violations have emerged […]

9 January, 2024

Environment

‘No end in sight’ for potential of conservation tech: Q&A with Megan Owen

By Abhishyant Kidangoor via MongaBay For the past seven years, the conservation technology lab at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has been working to develop and deploy technology that can automate the collection and processing of wildlife data. Running a tech lab in a zoo has the benefit of providing scientists with a setting where they can use the wildlife in their care to validate the data and calibrate […]

9 January, 2024