Kevin O'Sullivan

Kevin O'Sullivan

Environment and Science Editor

Kevin O'Sullivan is Environment and Science Editor and former Editor of The Irish Times

The late science journalist Mary Mulvihill ‘was determined that Irish science should take its rightful place within Ireland’s national culture’. Photograph: Brian Dolan
Molecules, metaphors and the place of science in culture

One is contained within the other, but how does that manifest itself?

Some 29 people have been admitted to the Royal Irish Academy. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Royal Irish Academy marks election of 29 new members

RIA president commends scholarly achievements, international distinction, contributions to Irish society

The European Commission has unveiled details of its €210 billion plan to wean the EU off Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Photograph: Pavlo Palamarchuk/AP Photo
EU unveils plan to rapidly reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuel

Three-pronged RePowerEU plans will fast forward green transition and focus on saving energy

The new report marks a ‘dismal litany of humanity’s failure to tackle climate disruption’, said UN secretary general António Guterres. Photograph: iStock
‘Alarming new records’ for climate change set last year, says WMO

Human activities causing ‘planetary scale changes’ to oceans, atmosphere and land

Some of the participants in Coastwatch’s ‘discovery field trip’ to Quilty Bay in Co Clare.
National Biodiversity Week: Quilty Bay displays marine riches

Coastwatch event probes climate change, storms and threat of invasive species

The first Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, meeting at Dublin Castle, today. Photograph: Maxwells/PA Wire
Just 10% of global land in natural state by 2050 without action, says biodiversity expert

First session of Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss sits at Dublin Castle

Project manager Dr Derek Mc Loughlin with Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett and Minister Of State for Heritage Malcom Noonan athe the launch of Wild Atlantic Nature at Ballycroy National Park. Photograph: Michael Mc Laughlin
Blanket bog conservation project unveiled for vast area from Galway to Donegal

Wild Atlantic Nature €21m seeks to bring environmental, social benefits backed by farmer supports

Brent Geese in flight at the Kilcoole Marshes, Wicklow. ‘We have a lot to be grateful for within our natural environment and this gratitude should propel action to help preserve and sustain these ecosystems.’ Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Biodiversity Week coincides with ‘critical year’ for Irish nature

More than 130 events around country to teach people ‘how to make space for nature’

An EPA 2021 bathing water quality report said it needed to improve the operation, management and maintenance of treatment plants and networks which impact on bathing waters. Photograph” David Sleator
Irish Water defends record on raw sewage discharges after criticism in EPA report

Utility on track to end ‘almost all raw sewage discharges’ into waters within three years

One poor-quality location was Balbriggan Front Strand Beach in Co Dublin. Photograph: Dave Meehan
Bathing water quality improving but issues still to be addressed – EPA

Latest evaluation finds 78% of swimming areas have excellent water quality

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: “There will be people coming to this kicking and screaming in terms of saying ‘your sector has to do this; your sector has to do that’.” Photograph: Jason Clarke
‘It’s going to be very challenging,’ Martin tells Dublin Climate Summit

Climate change calls for ‘relentless focus’ and ‘shared acceptance’, says Taoiseach

The most likely locations that will be affected by coastal flooding in Dublin’s central area close to the Liffey and at the estuary. Image: Cervest
Flooding will threaten more than 8,500 Dublin buildings, climate summit hears

Damaged areas would be concentrated in an area around the mouth of the river Liffey

Felled mature hardwood trees including oak, ash, whithorn, holly and crab apple were destroyed along with 1,200m of hedgerow vegetation at Ballickmoyler, Co Laois, in May 2021. Photograph: National Parks & Wildlife Service
Judge upholds €6,000 fine for destruction of hedgerows, mature trees

Landowner pleads guilty to five Wildlife Act offences at Ballickmoyler, Co Laois

Solar PV is expected to account for 60 per cent of global renewable power growth in 2022, followed by wind and hydropower. Photograph: iStock
Surge in renewables capacity could reduce EU’s dependence on Russian gas

Further growth expected in 2022 as governments seek to secure climate benefits

Drinking espresso was associated with the widest gender difference in cholesterol level. File photograph: Getty
Espresso with kick ‘may raise cholesterol’ levels . . . in men

Drinker’s sex and brewing method may be key to downside in drinking popular stimulant

Plans to retrofit 500,000 homes under the national retrofit plan by 2030 provided the basis for construction companies to chart career paths for workers. Photograph: iStock
Ireland risks missing emissions reduction targets without more construction workers

‘Clear challenge’ in sector to recruit and retain staff, Oireachtas Committee hears

Exceeding 1.5 degrees could offer taste of impacts and more extreme weather events to come. Photograph: iStock
Global warming could briefly exceed 1.5 degrees by 2026 – report

WMO warns of dangers linked to breaching long-term target set by Paris Agreement

President Michael D. Higgins pictured at the DCU Centre for Climate and Society inaugural conference at which he delivered a significant keynote address about Ireland's response to climate change. Pic Kyran O'Brien DCU
Musk’s purchase of Twitter described as ‘dangerous narcissism’ by President Higgins

President voices concern about control of public discourse by multi-billionaire

Looking across Lower Lake to Tomies Wood, Killarney. Photograph: National Parks & Wildlife Service/Paudie O’Leary
‘A day of hope for nature’: €55m plan for wildlife service announced

Critical reports note ‘lost decade’ left National Parks & Wildlife Service ‘not fit for purpose’

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan said the new strategy would amount to a ‘transformation’ of the NPWS. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
National Parks & Wildlife Service to be restructured under €55m package

Additional funding will be used to overhaul organisation and appoint extra staff

Elevated rates of sea-level rise have been recorded in Dublin Bay. Photograph: iStock
Elevated sea-level rise in Dublin higher than predicted due to climate change, study finds

Analysis of Dublin Bay over eight decades confirms sea-level rise faster than expected

Unfortunately it always seems that the threat to Planet Earth arising from global overheating – though it poses an existential risk – is never the immediate emergency to be dealt with
There is no time to hang about – emissions need to peak by 2025

If the world is to have any chance of avoiding the ravages of climate disruption the most effective action is weaning off fossil f(...)

A graphic representation of five-storey buildings proposed for the southern end of the Dundrum site. Image: Hammerson
Proprosed ‘gigantic’ Dundrum development is out of scale, meeting hears

Community group to object to development being fast-tracked through An Bord Pleanála

Costs associated with installing solar panels have come down through availability of generous SEAI grants
Microgeneration set to play a big role in Ireland’s energy transition

Solar power set to fuel democratisation of energy

‘Given our location at the Atlantic edge of the EU and with a sea area seven times that of our landmass, Ireland has very promising green hydrogen and offshore renewable energy potential’
Western seaboard has ‘vast potential’ to generate renewable energy

Taoiseach says accelerating scale-up of offshore wind projects would help Ireland address climate change

Ireland could share its abundant supply of offshore wind energy with the rest of the Europe, European commissioner Mairead McGuinness has said. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Conference told EU needs to spend €400bn a year on energy to meet climate targets

European commissioner Mairead McGuinness tells Irish wind energy event ‘nothing is off the table’

Epilepsy is a chronic central nervous system disorder affecting about 1 per cent of the population and 50 million people worldwide. Photograph: iStock
Irish scientists identify novel approach to preventing epileptic seizures

The breakthrough was led by researchers in Trinity College Dublin

The NESF endorses the speeding up of the introduction of ‘indigenous renewable energy systems’. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA
Government sets out strategy to deal with future energy price shocks

National energy security framework puts key focus on enhancing affordability

Wind turbines off the coast of Copenhagen, Denmark. Ireland could have the ability to generate 10 times its current electricity output from offshore turbines. Photograph: Getty Images/EyeEm
Winds of change: Unnerving times for Ireland's offshore energy investors

Key target to generate 5GW of power from offshore wind by 2030 could be in jeopardy

Mary Lou McDonald said “the Government has created real barriers to the development of our wind energy infrastructure”. Photograph: iStock
Government inaction stalling scale-up of wind energy – McDonald

Planning bottlenecks delaying infrastructure rollout, WEI conference told

Lapwing declined by 64 per cent since the mid-1990s. Photograph: iStock
Wintering waterbird species decline sharply as climate changes - survey

BirdWatch Ireland finds 20 species wintering in lakes, rivers and estuaries have decreased in number

Participants in the climate justice caravan walk, which left Ennis, Co Clare, on Saturday and is due in Tarbert, Co Kerry, on Monday April 18th.
Climate activists march to stress vulnerability of Shannon estuary

Climate justice caravan on nine-day hike to emphasise ecosystems and people reliant on them

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan (left) at the site of a fire in Wicklow Mountains National Park last year. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Plans to transform parks and wildlife service to go to Cabinet ‘within weeks’

Minister says increased resources to be allocated to arrest species and habitat loss

A worsening water quality crisis was leading to loss of nature, swimming bans, and drinking-water contamination, an Oireachtas committee has heard. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Water quality in majority of Irish rivers and lakes is unacceptably poor, committee hears

Water quality crisis is leading to loss of nature and contamination, An Taisce says

Legally-binding climate pollution targets have now been set... which apply an overall limit on the amount of carbon that can be expended in the economy over the next decade. Photograph: iStock
The carbon budget will test the Coalition’s mettle – so what happens next?

Sectoral ceilings mean good performers and laggards soon become obvious

An illustration of an active neurone. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Scientists reveal clear genetic signals for risk of schizophrenia

Researchers believe findings could help explain the condition’s diverse symptoms

Prof Emma Flynn, pro-vice-chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast and Prof Orla Feely, UCD vice-president for research, innovation and impact, UCD at the signing of an agreement in Belfast to scale up joint research.
UCD and Queen’s to enhance collaboration on critical areas of research

Move is to enhance co-operation in research and innovation ‘in areas of mutual strength’

Chair of the Elders Mary Robinson said the carbon tax had to be maintained because it was ringfenced for climate actions. Photograph: iStock
Calls for greater urgency with Irish climate actions in light of IPCC report

Climate Council chair does not favour holding off carbon tax increases later this month

A fire set by farmers for deforestation in the Amazon jungle near Caqueta, Colombia in February 2021. Photograph: Federico Rios/New York Times
Ending fossil fuel use with great urgency is IPCC’s core message

Soaring energy costs may prompt governments to park efforts to reduce CO2 emissions

Without immediate and deep carbon emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees ‘is beyond reach’. Photograph: Kazi Salahuddin Razu/NurPhoto via Getty
Ten things we now know about the climate crisis after the latest UN report

Report backs massive rollout of renewable energy, especially in wind and solar form

The latest report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says the world is at a crossroads. ‘Decisions we make now can secure a liveable future.’ Photograph: AFP via Getty Images
Climate change report: ‘It’s now or never if we want to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees’

Irish climatologist says report gives countries ‘an F or E minus’ in terms of performance

The UN report will also examine the key role of trees in capturing carbon. Photograph: Eric Luke
UN report expected to indicate shift to low-carbon economies is too slow

IPCC to examine options on removing carbon from atmosphere for first time

The increase in emissions amounted to 2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent and was largely due to increased carbon intensity of Ireland’s electricity production last year. Photograph: iStock
Irish emissions from power-generation and industrial companies rose by 15% in 2021

Biggest rise in electricity sector due to higher demand, less wind power and more coal use

People take part in a demonstration against the dismissal of P&O workers at the Port of Liverpool. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Eamon Ryan will support UK move to force minimum wage on ferries

Department of Transport considering British measures in response to P&O mass sacking

Minister for the Environment and Transport Eamon Ryan with exhibitor George Graham of Hyundai Cars at the SEAI Energy Show at the RDS on Thursday.
Ireland can get over ‘challenge’ of oil dependence, says Eamon Ryan

Environmentally positive changes can help families counter rising prices, says Minister

The LNG Aquarius liquefied natural gas tanker offshore in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photograph: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg
Ireland needs LNG infrastructure to ensure energy security, says regulator

Not enough safeguards in place, CRU chairperson tells Oireachtas climate committee

The move is necessary if Ireland is to meet demanding agricultural emission reduction targets for 2030, entrepreneur Michael Earls told Oireachtas committee. Photograph: iStock
State should fund emission reducing technology to reduce methane, committee told

Range of options on reducing agriculture emissions to be brought to Cabinet

‘This is the real opportunity for our country to switch away from fossil fuels and put it up to Putin,’ said Eamon Ryan. Photograph: David O’Brien
Seven offshore wind farms could begin operating from 2027 under fast-track plan

Planned facilities in Irish Sea and one off west coast would cut fossil fuel dependency

The system is a complex interaction between the ocean and atmosphere above it, which modulates Earth’s climate by absorbing, releasing and transporting heat all over the planet.
Met Éireann to use supercomputers to better understand Atlantic weather system

Forecasters teaming up with Irish Centre for High-End Computing for investigation

Eamon Ryan said that during Covid the Government had worked with the low-cost airline, notably on humanitarian missions to get people home. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Issue of flight prices from Poland to be raised with Ukrainian ambassador

Ryan says he is confident Ryanair will be helpful on issue if intervention required

Minister for Environment and Climate Eamon Ryan (left) speaks to senior geologist Eoin MacCraith of the Geological Survey of Ireland on board a GSI vessel, the RV Mallet, in Dún Laoghaire Harbour on Monday. Photograph: Kevin O’Sullivan
Move to fast track offshore wind projects to reduce electricity prices, says Ryan

New rules to bring Ireland closer to energy independence and provide certainty for developers

There is a strong indication Irish people want to change their carbon-polluting ways. Illustration: Fuchsia MacAree
How to really cut your carbon footprint? Buy three garments a year. Don’t fly for 36 months

If you want to make a real difference, adopt a plant-based diet and don’t buy a new car

Potential jurors do not have to have a science or medical background, or know anything about genomics. File photograph: Getty
Citizens’ jury needed to deliver verdict on use of genomics in State

Group of 25 people sought to consider how should genetics be applied and regulated

In 2021, the World Health Organisation urged countries to tackle dirty air to save millions of lives worldwide. Photograph: iStock
Link between pollution and disease requires world to ‘sit up and take notice’

Study adds weight to case for urgent action on air pollution, say experts

The research provides further evidence of the health threat from sources such as vehicle exhausts. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times
Long-term exposure to air pollution linked to autoimmune disease risk, study finds

Particulate matter may lead to increased instances of rheumatoid arthritis and IBD

UK prime minster Boris Johnson believes the West should be given ‘a climate change pass’ to wean off Russian gas supplies. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
‘Climate change pass’ would risk making Ireland’s obligations harder

Rising fuel prices amid Ukraine invasion have triggered calls for derogation on gas

The north Atlantic jet stream is moving northwards and increasing in speed. That is an added complication
Give Me a Crash Course In ... Winter storms

Ireland is increasingly vulnerable to winter storms with worse flooding

Only 7.5% of the Irish agricultural area is devoted to crop production. File photograph: Getty
Food security threat to State outlined at response group meeting

Officials to draw up a plan over the weekend on how to grow more crops in coming season

The US-owned New Fortress Energy plans to build an LNG terminal and gas-fired power station at Ballylongford, Co Kerry. Photograph: iStock
Bord defers decision on planning permission for €650m Shannon LNG plant

Decision pushed back to September due to complexity of project, An Bord Pleanála says

The Amazon is critical to the future of the planet, storing some 90 billion tonnes of CO2 in its trees and soil. Photograph: Victor Moriyama/The New York Times
Amazon rainforest ‘dieback’ may be approaching tipping point, scientists warn

Evidence shows accelerating ‘resilience loss’ in over 75% of its area since the early 2000s

Working on a farm in Senegal where farming practices have been adapted to take climate change into account. Photograph: Photograph: Seyllou/AFP
New fund supports companies with climate projects benefiting developing world

Government grants of up to €300,000 for Irish companies working on climate action

Installation of subsidised recharge points in houses is seen in wealthy neighbourhoods, “leaving low-income and other marginalised groups behind towards the transition to an EV future”.
Irish electrical vehicle supports benefit the wealthy, study finds

Subsidised recharge points found more in richer neighbourhoods

The second largest shark or fish in the world, basking sharks can often can be seen in shallow coastal locations close to human activities.
Ireland's basking sharks to get protected status under Wildlife Act

Move to be supported by new code of conduct to support sustainable wildlife tourism

A total of 41 EPA inspections were on waste sites with the focus on improving fire risk management. Photograph: iStock
EPA targets peat and waste sites in enforcement actions

Licensed plants ‘must improve if Ireland is to support its green image of sustainable food and drink production’

Paul Kelly of Fáilte Ireland and Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin: The Brú na Bóinne site will support 266 additional jobs and generate €1.6 million in additional tourism revenue over five years. Photograph: Julien Behal
Knowth visitor centre offers rich megalithic experience

Brú na Bóinne Unesco heritage site features megalithic art and digital exhibition

Politicians were told that far more resources are needed in An Bord Pleanála and other bodies such as the National Parks & Wildlife Service. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Growth of offshore wind energy threatened by planning delays , committee told

Targets will be unobtainable if system is not refined says head of Wind Energy Ireland

A Pipistrelle bat entangled in a False Widow Spider’s web. Photograph: Ben Waddams
Noble false widow spider captures bats in home attic

First time for any species of false widow spider to be recorded preying on mammals

Irrigation under way on newly cleared land at Husingo, Tana River, Kenya.
Climate shocks forcing African communities to change course

Climate crisis prompts new approach in Kenya with hope local populations can build resilience

More than three billion people are living in countries highly vulnerable to climate change, the IPCC report stated. Photograph: Jason O’Brien/AAP Image via AP
Ireland must step up support for vulnerable countries, say climate campaigners

Calls for urgent action and ‘adaptation solutions’ welcomed by groups

It is understandable that people might point to current high fossil fuel prices and ask if they are likely to derail climate action. Photograph: iStock
Q&A: What’s different about the latest warning from climate scientists?

IPCC report indicates the world is running out of time and options on climate change

Climate change is a global challenge that requires local solutions, a new report underlines. Photograph: John Giles/PA Wire
‘Dire warning’: Human-induced climate change already affecting 3.3bn people, report finds

Delayed global action will mean missing ‘rapidly closing window’ to secure future

Children bathe next to a destroyed house in Haulover, some 41km south of Bilwi, in the Northern Caribbean Autonomous Region, Nicaragua, days after the passage of Hurricane Iota. Photograph: Inti Ocon/AFP via Getty
Ukraine’s scientists forced to withdraw ahead of ‘starkest’ climate report

UN climate report likely to paint grim vision, with danger of ‘tipping points’ in prospect

How high will defences have to be to protect lives and property along Ireland’s coasts? Above, sea crashes through the shelter in Clontarf in January 2020. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
IPCC report: How prepared is Ireland for inevitable climate shocks?

World scientists will declare on Monday scale of work needed globally to live with climate change – not to stop it

Tillage farmer Walter Furlong jnr of Cooney Furlong Grain, Co Wexford, and Gráinne Wafer, Guinness global brand director, Diageo Ireland, with cover crops grown using regenerative agriculture
Tillage farmers form alliance with Guinness to pursue ‘regenerative agriculture’

Pilot project emphasises soil health and enhancing carbon sequestration potential

Global methane emissions from the energy sector are about 70 per cent greater than reported levels, IEA says
Methane emissions from energy sector 70% higher than reported – IEA

Leaks from fossil fuel operations in 2021 equal all the gas used in Europe’s power sector

Firefighting in Laguna Beach, California, recently. Photograph: Ringo HW Chiu/AP Photo
Wildfire events likely to increase by 50% as climate changes, UN warns

Governments urged to invest more heavily in prevention and preparedness

The North Atlantic jet stream pictured directly over Ireland this week.
Weather Q&A: Are rolling winter storms the shape of things to come?

More extremes may be coming our way from the Atlantic as a result of global warming

The jet stream over the North Atlantic
Change in Atlantic jet stream making for more powerful storms, finds research

Jet stream moving northwards at increasing speed, says analysis by Maynooth university

E.coli. Photograph: Getty
E.coli found in 5% of private water supplies, EPA warns

More than a quarter of small private supplies were not monitored by local authorities

Early results from Teagasc’s farm-carbon hedgerow project show 600,000 tonnes of carbon were stored by Irish hedgerows, Dr Alan Moore told the committee.
State’s plan for sustainable farming ‘lacks ambition’ on biodiversity

Oireachtas committee hears 6,000km of hedgerows being removed every year

Some 17,000 workers are needed to enable 75,000 houses to be retrofitted between 2026 and 2030 – when a housing crisis needs unrelenting attention. Photograph: iStock
No room for past failures with €8bn retrofitting scheme

Analysis: Increasing energy efficiency of Irish homes critical to meeting climate targets

Energy analyst Prof Brian Ó Gallachóir said it was critical that Irish climate action was scaled up rapidly by including ‘ambitious retrofitting as part of a suite of things’. Photograph: iStock
Retrofit plan addresses cost and complexity issues – Electric Ireland Superhomes

Construction sector will welcome plan as it provides clarity and certainty, director says

Davin Larkin and Niki Byrne bought a typical rural bungalow outside Oughterard in Co Galway and successfully completed a deep retrofit
Retrofitting tales: ‘It’s a bit like a boat, you can’t just fix one hole’

Two couples discuss the trials and tribulations – and rewards – of retrofitting their homes

A 65,000 tonne cargo of West African Bauxite arriving at the Aughinish Alumina Marine Terminal on the Shannon Estuary in Co. Limerick. Photograph: Liam Burke Press 22
Protesters object to expansion of Aughinish Alumina refinery in Co Limerick

Groups claim larger bauxite operation would pose risk to Shannon estuary, health of locals

The survey by Compliance Institute sought to gain an insight into steps taken and planned within Irish workplaces towards becoming more eco-friendly. Photograph: Getty
Almost 80% of financial firms plan to hit net-zero emissions targets

Compliance survey shows strong commitment to net zero in financial services sector

Wind power generation provided 4.5 gigawatts to the national grid over the weekend. Photograph: Getty Images
Record wind power generated in Ireland over stormy weekend

More than 85% of Irish electricity demand covered by wind power at one point

Minister for the Environment and Climate Eamon Ryan says the Irish position should be seen in the context of having set an ambitious target of up to 80 per cent of electricity consumption coming from renewable sources by 2030. Photograph: Alan Betson
Inclusion of gas and nuclear in EU taxonomy not necessary – Eamon Ryan

Green leader predicts guidelines will be difficult to get through European Parliament

Prof Seamus O’Reilly and Dr Tracey O’Donovan working in UCC on a new treatment offerring hope for people with oesophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers. Photograph: Darragh Kane
UCC cancer treatment breakthrough set to improve outcomes for patients

Unlocking why cancer cells are resistant to chemotherapy leads to new lithium treatment

Nine stations had significant spells of no rain, the longest of which was at the Phoenix Park and Casement Aerodrome in Co Kildare; lasting 23 days. Photograph: iStock
January very dry with above average temperatures across country – Met Éireann

Dublin Airport records driest January since 1997 with just 14.6mm of rain

Coastwatch director Karin Dubsky suggested seagrasses should be subject to a ‘flora protection order’. Photograph: iStock
Government must intervene to protect vulnerable seagrass beds, says NGO

Minister welcomes move to convene Citizens’ Assembly on biodiversity later this year

Restored peatlands in Drinagh East, Co Offaly. Photograph courtesy of Bord na Móna
At least 7.5m tonnes of carbon protected by peatlands rehabilitated in 2021

Bord na Móna confirms another 5,200 hectares of peatlands have been restored

The Ballybunion Buoy is unhooked from a crane in Dún Laoghaire, ready to be towed to Irish Lights ship ILV Granuaile.
Lifebuoys around Irish coast to provide ‘near realtime data’ on storms

Move comes in response to heightened risk of storm surges exacerbated by climate change

Molu Elema, who is 56, with his camels near North Horr in Marsabit, Kenya. Photograph: Ed Ram/Concern Worldwide
Extreme drought in Kenya causes mass livestock deaths and water scarcity

Many areas have seen little or no rainfall since 2020, says Concern Worldwide

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan: top priority is ‘to restore heritage funding’. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Action plan for overhaul of parks and wildlife service to go to Cabinet

Consultants’ report critical of how service operates to be published within weeks

Beautiful birds in Southeast Asia known as ‘supertramps’ are providing unique insights into how evolution is linked to flight ability and competition
‘Supertramps’ provide new insight into big question of evolutionary theory

TCD scientists use genomics to explain decades-old mystery of biogeography

Cocoa-farming communities in Africa face major challenges including widespread rural poverty, increasing climate risks and lack of access to financial services and basic infrastructure like water, healthcare and education.
Nestlé unveils €1.25bn plan to support cocoa growers

Investment aims to enhance ethical credentials of food giant’s chocolate business

The non-invasive indicator developed by scientists at Queen’s University Belfast which indicates if a wound is becoming infected by changing colour.
Tiny dot that shows early signs of infection, invented by NI scientists

Non-invasive indicator does not make contact with wound but sniffs the air above it

In the study of women, the most commonly reported post-vaccination change was a heavier than normal period. Photograph: Carlos Junior
Data reassuring on menstrual changes after Covid-19 vaccine, researchers find

Evidence suggests any alterations to women’s cycles ‘short-lived and small’

Women were found to be most concerned and most likely to change behaviour, though there was no differences on level of knowledge based on gender or age. Photograph: iStock
Effective climate action requires more than just education, says Prof Pete Lunn

Behavioural science can deliver beyond ‘nudges’ in right direction

A growing body of evidence implicates the gut microbiome – the trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microbes inhabiting the digestive tract – in Covid-19’s severity.
Make-up of gut microbiome may be linked to long Covid – study finds

‘Unfriendly’ bacteria species associated with poor performance on six-minute walk test

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