Latest science

Missed opportunity to stop plastic pollution

Today 11:15am - Countries failing to agree on a global treaty to curb plastic pollution after a week of talks in South Korea is a missed opportunity, according to a New Zealand plastics expert.

Investment lagging in climate action – report

27 Nov 24 - A new report looks at the barriers to investment at the core of the priorities of COP29.

We can't afford to be complacent about the effects of tropical cyclones – experts

26 Nov 24 - A symposium currently taking place in Rotorua will bring together recent research on tropical cyclone ecology, with a special focus on the ecological impacts of last year's Cyclone Gabrielle.

Microbes behind unprecedented surge in methane emissions

26 Nov 24 - Media release | Microbes - such as those living in wetlands, landfills or the digestive tracts of livestock - are behind unprecedented spikes in methane emissions, according to new research from the University of Colorado and NIWA.

Study finds four global policies could eliminate >90% of plastic waste and 30% of linked carbon emissions by 2050

25 Nov 24 - A study released in Science determines that just four policies can reduce mismanaged plastic waste—plastic that isn't recycled or properly disposed of and ends up as pollution—by 91% and plastic-related greenhouse gases by one-third.

Carbon tax best for lower emissions, economy – study

21 Nov 24 - A carbon tax is the most effective way for New Zealand to cut emissions while supporting a stable economy, according to a University of Auckland study.

New Zealand drops in global ranking on climate action

21 Nov 24 - Media release | Greenpeace is accusing the New Zealand government of ‘quiet quitting’ on climate change as the country drops seven points in the global rankings on climate action.

Scientists develop tool to monitor coastal erosion in fine detail

21 Nov 24 - Media release | An online tool developed by scientists at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland allows for detailed monitoring of the nation’s coastal erosion from satellite imagery.

Plastic waste to double by 2050 – study

18 Nov 24 - New modelling published in Science suggests plastic waste will double by 2050 if we stick to business as usual, reaching an estimated 121 million metric tonnes.

We study climate change. We can’t explain what we’re seeing

15 Nov 24 - The Earth has been exceptionally warm of late, with every month from June 2023 until this past September breaking records. It has been considerably hotter even than climate scientists expected.

Govt ring-fences $60 million to investigate new geothermal energy

14 Nov 24 - The government is putting aside $60 million to investigate new geothermal energy generation technology, which has the potential to boost renewable energy output and slash emissions.

What 1.5C overshoot would mean for climate impacts and adaptation

14 Nov 24 - With average global temperatures set to see another record high this year, the chances of holding warming to no more than 1.5C continue to dwindle.

New research reveals that microplastics could be changing Earth’s climate

14 Nov 24 - Scientists discovered that microplastics act as ice nucleating particles in clouds, potentially influencing weather, climate, and even aviation safety. Microplastics in the atmosphere may alter...

Zero chance NZ pulls out of climate agreement: Upton

13 Nov 24 - If Donald Trump pulls the United States out of the Paris Agreement, it’s not likely other countries such as New Zealand will follow, according to Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon...

Climate researchers drill deep for Antarctic climate clues

13 Nov 24 - Media release | Kiwi climate researchers are part of an ambitious mission to recover critical geological records to help forecast future sea-level rise.

NZ can do better on climate policy, says auditor general

8 Nov 24 - New Zealand’s legislative framework is a strength of its response to climate change, however it is not doing so well in other areas, according to a new report.

Trump stranglehold adds to growing doubts at climate talks

8 Nov 24 - Nearly 200 nations will soon gather for the annual COP29 summit, where efforts to increase funding for poor countries and slash emissions will run against the reality of a hostile American president.

TEN YEARS AGO…

7 Nov 24 - Ten years ago, American researchers confirmed that a shift to vegetarian, Mediterranean or fish-based diets would cut greenhouse gases, conserve forests and savannah, and have a big impact on...

UN report obscures meat’s true climate impact

4 Nov 24 - A United Nations climate report made headlines last week with a stark warning: the planet is on track to heat by 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius within the century.