News & Views

A study of historical trends in nations’ use of phosphorus fertilizers has set targets for crop yield and phosphorus-use efficiency, identifying techniques that can be used to ensure these targets are met by 2050.

Against a backdrop of intense global drought, an innovative method for measuring toxicity to cells has been used to provide further evidence that the quality of potable-reuse water compares well with that from conventional public water supplies.

Private wildlife ranches are considered a mechanism to conserve biodiversity and support livelihoods. Now, a study examines the relative resilience of South African wildlife ranches during the disruptive times of COVID-19.

A method to incorporate highly aligned nanosheets into a polymer matrix provides a promising strategy for fabricating membranes with high ion conductivity and selectivity — a key requirement for some energy-storage technologies.

Greenhouse gas emissions can be traced to the behaviour of individuals. Now, research quantifies carbon footprints worldwide, showing that the richest ten per cent are responsible for nearly half of all emissions.

Chemical control of insect pests is considered a necessary evil of modern intensive agricultural practices. New approaches exploiting chemical ecology and genetically modified plants as ‘green factories’ point the way to harvests that are less reliant on insecticides.

Anaemia remains an intransigent global health problem that increases the risk of morbidity and mortality for women and children, and nowhere more so than in India. Now, a study links particulate air pollution exposure with anaemia in women of reproductive age.

Greenland is rich in natural mineral resources and has been actively investigating the economic potential of expanded mineral extraction. However, public opinion calls for the assessment of the environmental and social impacts of mineral extraction.

There are no silver bullet chemistries for batteries — but zinc technology, with its safety, cost and environmental advantages, has received renewed interest as a choice for sustainability. Now, direct imaging sheds light on the charge carrier, clearing a major barrier to understanding and upgrading this energy system.

The management of introduced species, whether kudzu or zebra mussels, is costly and complex. Now, a paper reports a workable, effective solution that harnesses network analyses of ecological phenomena.

Billions of people across the globe lack access to safe drinking water. Now a study sheds light on the potential for sunlight-based technologies to offer reliable disinfection for rural populations, which are often the most underserved.

Always aspiring for more is a side of human nature that does not accord well with sustainable resource use. However, recent results show that this facet of human nature may not be as typical as previously assumed, potentially opening up a more sustainable and just future for humanity.

Early human impacts on the environment can illuminate current sustainability challenges. A new paper argues that 5,500 years ago in North China a positive feedback cycle between two domesticated species sparked ongoing intensification of agriculture production and intervention in nature.

Co-culture systems produce more food per land unit — offering a sustainable solution to food security. The first step may lie in optimizing for diverse species interaction networks, much like the way engineers design manufacturing systems for optimal productivity.

In China, rapid growth is raising concerns about the impacts of industrial pollution on drinking water and health. A recent study identifies concentrations of disinfection byproducts as a possible culprit in high levels of bladder cancer.

Sustainable recycling is necessary for wood to maintain its capacity to store CO₂ and to smooth the transition towards a circular economy. Now, an innovative approach offers a promising perspective on second- and third-life applications for ‘waste’ wood.

In the global transition to sustainable development, policy coherence is key. A new study highlights the equal importance of policy dynamism over time — how policymakers must anticipate national advances in sustainability to meet shifting strategic needs.

COVID-19 lockdowns stalled protected area management in many countries. New research examines how fire and on-site protected area management are interlinked, demonstrating the novel use of satellite data and statistical modelling.

A short window of opportunity during the COVID-19 economic shutdown provides striking evidence of environmental disparity.

The world is facing a sand crisis, as booming sand use poses global sustainability challenges. A study now presents a blueprint for a less sand-demanding future, where synergistic material-efficiency strategies are crucial for curbing sand demand.