Sustainability as a research area investigates the biophysical, technological, and socio-economic conditions under which human and ecological systems can persist within planetary boundaries over the long term. It integrates methods from environmental science, systems ecology, industrial ecology, economics, and social sciences to analyze resource flows, environmental impacts, resilience, and equity. Core topics include sustainable resource management, climate and energy transitions, circular economy strategies, life cycle assessment, and governance mechanisms that align development with ecological limits. Research emphasizes quantitative indicators, scenario modeling, and policy-relevant frameworks to evaluate pathways that minimize degradation of natural systems while maintaining human well-being.
One of the biggest obstacles on the road to a low-carbon energy future is caused by the rare-earth element lithium, a critical component for the batteries that can store the abundant and sustainable energy from renewable ...
Earth Sciences
Sep 17, 2025
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Blue Origin is committed to making a permanent human presence in space a reality. To this end, they have developed the New Shepard and New Glenn rockets to send payloads to orbit, and aim to create super-heavy launch vehicles ...
Space Exploration
Sep 17, 2025
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Many researchers are looking toward aquaculture as a way to reduce carbon, while also producing food. Yet, in some cases, it is unclear whether these methods offer a way to reduce carbon or if they're just another source ...
Vertical farming offers a much-needed opportunity to secure food production in the face of climate change, but can it truly deliver a sustainable alternative to field-grown crops? A new study led by the University of Surrey ...
Ecology
Sep 16, 2025
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The circular economy—the idea of "reduce, reuse and recycle"—has long been promoted as one solution to the environmental crisis. Instead of the old "take, make, use, throw away" model, it aims to keep materials in play for ...
Environment
Sep 11, 2025
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Household waste constitutes 30–40% of municipal solid waste globally. Separating waste at the household level into compostable, recyclable, and non-recyclable is a crucial first step for local governments to process solid ...
Environment
Sep 10, 2025
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Can small changes in the design of food delivery apps encourage people to choose more climate-friendly meals?
Environment
Sep 9, 2025
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A multilayer film that reflects heat while letting through light needed for photosynthesis could make greenhouse agriculture more energy- and water-efficient. Such a film has been developed by engineers at the University ...
Biotechnology
Sep 9, 2025
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A new international study led by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences offers farmers and policymakers a clear roadmap for growing one of the world's most vital crops in a way that is both ...
Agriculture
Sep 8, 2025
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New research led by Stanford University and co-authored by Lancaster University explores the industrial impacts on the ocean and compares them with what leading companies in the ocean economy disclose, underscoring the need ...
Environment
Sep 8, 2025
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