Climate Change

New satellite launches to name and shame methane emitters

What’s going on here? MethaneSat blasted off in California on Monday aboard a SpaceX rocket, carrying with it fresh hope of stopping methane leaks. It’s on a mission to observe giant leaks of the potent greenhouse gas, and name and shame the worst polluters. What does this mean? American non-profit organisation the Environmental Defense Fund developed the satellite alongside the New Zealand…

How to be an activist – first hand advice from some seasoned climate campaigners

A blue sticker with the extinction rebellion logo on is stuck on a lampost

Here at Curious.Earth we often tell you to take part in climate action, or to join a climate group – but what does that really mean? If you don’t already have friends who are in climate groups and you’ve not taken part in activism before, the thought of turning up to a meeting can be daunting. What goes on? What do climate…

Why you should care about volcanoes as global temperatures increase

There are pink and purple skies nearing sunset. A massive volcanic lava eruption fills the skies.

If you have kept up with the news in recent months, you are likely to have seen some striking images and videos of volcanic eruptions around the globe. No one can deny that volcanic eruptions are an astonishing, yet terrifying, sight.  Despite a global effort from universities and research centres to monitor volcanoes, it can be an expensive task. There are around…

A warm 2023 causes plants to flower throughout winter

Small flower blossoms emerging from a snowy ground

What’s going on here? Have you noticed more flowers blooming through winter? Data from the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland shows that 2024 has seen more flowering plants than usual, thanks to unusually high temperatures in 2023. What does this mean? The 2024 Hunt ran from December 30th 2023 to the 2nd of January, and the results have just been released…

Melting Arctic reveals “zombie viruses” that could trigger another pandemic

A frozen scene of snow covered hills and icy sea, in low light with a moon just visible against the pink sky

What’s going on here? Scientists have warned that melting permafrost in Siberia, northern Russia, could unleash ancient viruses and trigger another pandemic. These “zombie viruses”, also known as Methuselah microbes, have been frozen for thousands of years but could still have the potential to infect humans. What does this mean? As the name suggests, permafrost is frozen the majority of the time.…