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Environment

Why biodiversity offsetting is a contentious issue in conservation

As a new law is introduced in England, requiring developers to create 10 per cent more wildlife habitat than they destroy when developing a site, does it really work to destroy nature in one place, but preserve it elsewhere, asks Graham Lawton

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Sand Martin Wood in Faugh near Carlisle, Cumbria, UK, was acquired by the carbon offset company co2balance in September 2006 It has been planted with a broad mix of native trees over 6 hectares and is managed for wildlife as well as the companies offset clients Though seen as controversial by some carbon offsetting is one way of a company or individual to reduce their emissions, as the trees absorb and sequestrate carbon as they grow. (Photo by Ashley Cooper/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

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Stark, haunting images show Kazakhstan's former nuclear testing ground

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Photographer Name: Jasper Doest Image Name: Untitled Year: 2024 Image Description: Elephants charge through Livingstone?s narrow streets, their towering figures trumpeting into the night. Altered habitats mean they emerge from the national park at dusk to seek food within Livingstone. A nighttime curfew, urging the community to stay indoors, aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Series Name: In the Footsteps of Giants Series Description: The delicate equilibrium between humans and elephants in rural parts of Zambia is being disturbed as both populations vie for limited resources. The expansion of settlements and unsustainable agriculture is encroaching on elephant habitats, jeopardising the well-being of both human livelihoods and the elephant population. The question arises: can humans and elephants coexist? These problems have been escalating in the past decade, and with the expectation of increased droughts due to our warming climate, establishing transfrontier wildlife corridors becomes essential. However, the establishment of these corridors faces challenges posed by settlements, agriculture and infrastructure, which results in daily human-wildlife conflict. As these persistent issues continue it is increasingly evident that the local community plays a vital role in fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants. Developing economically and socially viable models for coexistence within the local community will be crucial for the long-term survival of both elephants and humans. Copyright: ? Jasper Doest, Netherlands, Finalist, Professional competition, Wildlife & Nature, Sony World Photography Awards 2024

Life

Underwater photo competition showcases stunning images of marine life

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2ENH3G9 The latest born West African manatee, left, meets visitors for the first time at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong province, 19 August 2019. The latest-born West African manatee at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, who is the first born female manatee in China, meet visitors for the first time two months after her birth in Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong province, 19 August 2019. During the meeting, the manatee chooses her name as Feifei, and interact with present visitors. (Photo by Chen Jimin - Imaginechina/Sipa USA)

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Are there really freshwater manatees thriving deep within West Africa?

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Life

6 exquisite images from Close-up Photographer of the Year

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Environment

The best photos of the natural world in 2023

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Environment

Insects thrive on solar farms planted with native flowers

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Name: Glacier Requiem Location: Rh?ne Glacier The picture presents a view of the Rhone Glacier, a significant entity in the Swiss Alps. However, the glacier's usual icy-blue appearance is replaced with a stark grey, a consequence of being covered in UV protection sheets. This intervention is a result of efforts to slow the glacier's rapid melting due to climate change. The sheets, an unconventional sight in such a natural landscape, offer a physical representation of the impact of global warming on our planet. A person, a small figure in the grand scheme of the landscape, is seen walking atop the sheets. This human presence serves as a reminder of our role in the glacier's current state and the measures being taken to protect it. The Rhone Glacier is a vital natural resource, playing several critical roles in the local and global ecosystem. As the primary source of the Rhone River, it provides essential freshwater for ecosystems and human activities downstream in Switzerland and France, supporting agriculture and hydroelectric power generation. The glacier's health directly affects these water-dependent systems. Furthermore, it's a significant climate change indicator. Its rapid retreat, losing around 40% of its volume in the past century, visually demonstrates the impacts of global warming. Additionally, the glacier supports unique alpine ecosystems and contributes to biodiversity. Paulo Sousa from Porto, Portugal Winner of Photographer of the Year

Environment

Prize-winning photos highlight the impact of climate change on nature

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Life

Winning images from Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023

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Environment

Thousands of animal and plant species in decline across the UK

Conservation organisations call for expansion of nature-friendly farming to stem the ongoing loss of the UK’s wildlife

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Lewis Burnett - Manta

Life

See this award-winning shot of a reef manta ray taken by a drone

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The Global Winner The global winning image was taken by Laurent Formery (USA). Nervous system of a juvenile sea star (Patiria miniata) about 1 cm wide. Labeled with an antibody against acetylated tubulin after optical clearing, and captured using a color-coded Z-projection.

Life

Time for your close-up: vivid images of nature loom larger than life

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Life

The US is doing its biggest-ever survey of nature and wildlife

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Life

One third of all vertebrate species are exploited by humans

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