Cheng Chen, University of British Columbia and Cole Burton, University of British Columbia We have entered what some scientists refer to as Earth’s sixth major extinction. Human disturbances, such as over-harvesting of crops, habitat destruction and invasive species, are the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss. Some studies estimate that the current species extinction rate is 1,000 times the normal background rate. One of the most … Continue reading Data from thousands of surveillance cameras confirms that protected areas safeguard species diversity

Vivian Arguelles Gonzalez, McGill University We know that eating burgers and steaks can have a negative impact on the environment. Our food system accounts for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, with livestock responsible for at least two-thirds of agricultural emissions in North America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Livestock has been blamed for contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss, competition for edible grains and poor … Continue reading Can we raise livestock sustainably? A win-win solution for climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss

Ashlee Cunsolo, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Breanne Aylward, University of Alberta, and Sherilee Harper, University of Alberta Climate change poses serious risks to mental well-being. For the first time, a new climate report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has assessed how climate change is having widespread and cumulative effects on mental health globally. Over the past decade, research and public interest on … Continue reading Rapidly increasing climate change poses a rising threat to mental health, says IPCC