The absurdity of natural history – or, why humans are 'fish'

Nov 29, 2016 17:16 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

The human desire to classify is perhaps at its strongest when it comes to natural history. From our childhood years we are taught to put the animals we encounter in museums, living rooms and the natural environment into...

Future of Coal Series

China's plan to increase coal power by 20% is not the climate disaster it seems

Nov 27, 2016 21:42 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

China recently announced a 20% increase in coal power capacity by 2020. Does the new target contradict its pledge to peak carbon emissions well before 2030 under the Paris Agreement? China ratified the Paris Agreement...

These bizarre creatures defy what we think we know about plants and animals

Nov 26, 2016 06:00 am UTC| Nature

You might have played the game called animal, vegetable, mineral. One player thinks of an object or organism and the other players ask questions to try to guess what it is starting with this simple classification. But...

Bright city lights are keeping ocean predators awake and hungry

Nov 25, 2016 01:18 am UTC| Nature

Light pollution is changing the day-night cycle of some fish, dramatically affecting their feeding behaviour, according to our recently published study. In one of the first studies of its kind, we found that increased...

Climate Change Series

Arctic Winter Cancelled, Temperatures Rise By 20°C

Nov 23, 2016 05:49 am UTC| Nature

Winter is almost here for the rest of the world, but in the Arctic, it was supposed to have already begun. However, thanks to a sudden rise in temperature, this timeline was interrupted. Rising by 20C, ice is having...

Climate Change Series

What will the world actually look like at 1.5°C of warming?

Nov 19, 2016 11:00 am UTC| Nature

The high ambition of the Paris Agreement, to limit global warming to well below 2C, was driven by concern over long-term sea level rise. A warmer climate inevitably means melting ice you dont need a computer model to...

Floods play a vital role in ecosystems – it's time to get out of their way

Nov 18, 2016 09:10 am UTC| Nature

Floods are often seen as a force of destruction. From photographs of crops under water and houses being swamped by swollen rivers, to stories of road, business and public amenity closures, the news during flooding...