Plant diverse tree species to spread risk in climate crisis, study says

Uncertainty over climate and economy means ‘investment portfolio’ approach needed, researchers say

An “investment portfolio approach” needs to be applied to large-scale tree planting across the world to reduce the risks of the wrong species being planted in the wrong place, economists have said.

Countries have made ambitious pledges to plant billions of trees to remove greenhouse gases and tackle global heating. The UK has committed to plant 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) of trees each year by 2025 and maintain the rate until 2050, the European Commission has pledged to plant 3bn trees across member states by 2030, and the US under the previous administration committed to planting 1bn trees by the same date.

Topics

New plant species discovered at Big Bend National Park in Texas

The Wooly Devil, or Ovicula biradiata, was first spotted by botany volunteer Deb Manley and a park ranger in Big Bend National Park in Texas in March 2024.
CBS News - 6d
$75 million was awarded to plant trees in places that badly need them. In anti-DEI push, that's over

The U.S. Forest Service has terminated $75 million awarded to the Arbor Day Foundation to help disadvantaged communities plant trees
ABC News - 2d
Hollywood diversity in decline despite audience demand, study finds: 'The writing was on the wall'

Despite the popularity of films like 'Wicked,' opportunities for people of color in Hollywood declined in 2024, according to the latest UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report.
Los Angeles Times - 4d
Questioning the risks and benefits of vaccines isn’t spreading misinformation

I could discuss risks and benefits in a more sophisticated way if I better understood a patient's risk versus their protection against a given virus or bacteria.
The Hill - 6d
‘Fish disco’ row risks fresh delays to Hinkley Point nuclear plant

Campaigners hit out at EDF’s plan to drop underwater acoustic deterrent designed to protect marine life
Financial Times - 5d
Climate change is coming for coastlines, from ancient cities to modern California: Study

Climate change-induced seawater intrusions are hastening the collapse of buildings in the ancient Egyptian port city of Alexandria — posing threats similar to those challenging coastal California, ...
The Hill - Feb. 21
Judiciary in England and Wales facing ‘recruitment crisis’, study finds

More judges complain about threats to personal safety and poor working conditions
Financial Times - Feb. 24
‘Human activity on a massive scale’: a photo exhibition tackles the climate crisis

Photographs from across the globe capture the impact of people on the climate – and of the climate on people. The word anthropocene has been proposed to denote an ongoing epoch in which human ...
The Guardian - 5d
Meet Chonkus: the CO2-chomping alga that could help tackle the climate crisis

Synechococcus elongatusis soaks up carbon dioxide for its photosynthesis and stores more than other strains. Chonkus may sound like a champion Sumo wrestler but it is the nickname for a ...
The Guardian - 4d
Keep an Invasive Species in Check: Eat a Big Rat-Like Rodent, U.S. Says

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Americans should hunt and cook nutrias, an invasive species found in marshy areas, to help curb their population.
The New York Times - 2d
Apple boss says its diversity programmes may change

His comments came as shareholders rejected a call for the firm to consider ending its diversity practices.
BBC News - 6d
Pope is 'stable' after breathing crisis, Vatican says

The Pope has been battling pneumonia for two weeks and suffered an "isolated" breathing crisis on Friday.
BBC News - 2d
Space station’s lack of dirt may damage astronauts’ health, says study

Scientists find sterile ISS environment could explain rashes and cold sores and suggest adding microbes to stations. Excessive cleanliness is not generally regarded as a downside when it comes to ...
The Guardian - 4d
HS2 is case study in ‘how not to run a project’ say MPs

Public accounts committee casts doubt on ministers’ ability to successfully deliver high speed rail link
Financial Times - 3d
‘To say there’s no future is counterproductive’: metal megastars Architects on grief, climate and hope for humanity

Consumed by anger and still mourning a brother and bandmate, the British quartet have written their masterpiece. They explain how they’re fighting self-loathing and trying to age responsibly. In a ...
The Guardian - Feb. 21
Drax climate protester says judge ‘bullied’ jury to find her guilty

Jurors had difficulty reaching a verdict in case of Diana Warner, who obstructed train in protest over power plant. A retired doctor has been found guilty of obstructing the railway during a ...
The Guardian - 5d
EU to keep climate goals but loosen rules for companies, says green chief

Bloc has to balance protection of the planet and economic growth, Teresa Ribera argues
Financial Times - 4d
Congo's president says he'll create a unity government as violence spreads

Congo’s president says he is going to launch a unity government, as violence spreads across the country’s east and pressure mounts over his handling of the crisis
ABC News - Feb. 23
UK’s Hinkley Point C nuclear plant yet to attract new investors, says EDF boss

Focus falls on future of flagship energy project, the first for a generation
Financial Times - Feb. 21
Pope Francis in critical condition after respiratory crisis, Vatican says

The update came after a Vatican spokesman said the Pope "rested well" overnight.
CBS News - Feb. 22
Pope Francis in Critical Condition After ‘Respiratory Crisis,’ Vatican Says

The announcement on Saturday evening indicated that Francis’ medical condition had become more complicated since an update from his doctors on Friday.
The New York Times - Feb. 23
Vatican says Pope Francis is ‘peaceful’ after ‘respiratory crisis’

Catholics around the world are praying for Pope Francis who remains in critical condition at a Rome hospital while battling double pneumonia. The Vatican said on Saturday that the 88-year-old ...
NBC News - Feb. 23
Pope suffers breathing crisis but responds well to treatment, Vatican says

Pope Francis experienced a "sudden worsening of the respiratory picture" Friday, the Vatican said.
CBS News - 3d
Pope Francis spends peaceful night after breathing crisis, Vatican says

Doctors caring for pontiff, 88, are assessing how Friday’s incident will affect his condition, says official. Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with pneumonia in both lungs, has ...
The Guardian - 2d
Pope didn't need mechanical ventilation after respiratory crisis, Vatican says

The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized since Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into a complex pneumonia in both lungs.
CBS News - 1d
Colombia risks return to violent past, says architect of landmark peace deal

Exclusive: The bloody foundering of President Gustavo Petro’s ‘Total Peace’ strategy is a ‘national failure’, says Juan Manuel Santos, who ended war with Farc guerrillas in 2016. Colombia risks ...
The Guardian - 5d
Trump's spending play raises 'risk of a shutdown,' top Democrats say

Politico - 3d
Elon Musk says he's sending Starlink tech to FAA while saying, without evidence, that air safety is 'at risk'

Executives at major airlines told CNBC on Thursday that they do not see the FAA infrastructure as an immediate safety risk.
CNBC - 4d
Third of emissions cuts must come from consumers, says UK climate watchdog

Government advisers call for an overhaul of domestic heating systems and suggest airfares could rise
Financial Times - 5d
Pope Francis' condition remains critical after respiratory crisis, says the Holy See

The Holy See reported that Pope Francis' condition is critical after he suffered a prolonged respiratory crisis on Saturday. Earlier this week, the 88-year-old was diagnosed with double pneumonia. ...
CBS News - Feb. 22
Middle East crisis live: Trump envoy says US expects second phase of Israel-Hamas deal to proceed

Comments come after Israel suspended release of 600 Palestinian detainees. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group would keep following the path of slain chief Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday during ...
The Guardian - Feb. 23
Hamas says Netanyahu ‘sabotaging’ peace deal as Israel steps up West Bank operation – Middle East crisis live

Hamas official Basem Naim says Benjamin Netanyahu is ‘preparing atmosphere’ to return to war with Gaza. According to a report from Hebrew media outlet Ynet, Israel has told international ...
The Guardian - Feb. 24
ECB faces risk of ‘sleepwalking’ into too many rate cuts, says top official

Rate-setters need to stand ready to pause further monetary easing, Belgian central bank governor says
Financial Times - Feb. 24
Amid risks to Education Dept., borrowers should 'immediately' take key actions, consumer advocates say

Amid the threats to the Education Dept. and reports that Musk's DOGE had gained access to student loan borrower data, consumer advocates are issuing warnings.
CNBC - 6d
The economy’s at risk of plunging into an air pocket, says JPMorgan. What that would mean for stocks.

Investors are brushing aside the possibilities of more turbulence to come for the U.S. economy and potential fallout for markets, warns JPMorgan.
MarketWatch - 9h
Inflation will move toward 2% target, but risks to outlook are rising, says Fed's Musalem

The risks for higher inflation are on the rise, St. Louis Federal Reserve President Alberto Musalem said Monday.
CNBC - 4h
Can Canadians get the world drinking tree sap?

The largest producer of maple syrup now wants you to drink the sap, which it calls maple water.
BBC News - Feb. 24
Poplar trees, the Pope and paddling: Photos of the week

A selection of news photographs from around the world.
BBC News - 2d