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.
Scientists have debated for decades whether economies can continue to grow without increasing greenhouse gas emissions. A new study by a Penn State researcher has found that this may be possible, but only under strict conditions ...
Environment
Mar 17, 2026
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10
The UK's use of land is indefensibly inefficient. Roughly 5% is used for buildings and roads, 10% for forest and woodland, plus 20% for arable crops. But the largest share, around 50% of our country, is dedicated to livestock.
Ecology
Mar 17, 2026
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9
Extremophiles may well be tiny, but they are making a huge contribution to the health of our planet and our lives. A new review of these microorganisms, published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, explains how they ...
When floods, coastal erosion or sea-level rise threaten settlements or infrastructure, European countries turn to managed retreat more often than previously assumed. Managed retreat refers to the planned, government-supported ...
Earth Sciences
Mar 16, 2026
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447
A drug to treat Parkinson's disease can be made from waste plastic bottles using a pioneering method, a study shows. The approach harnesses the power of bacteria to transform post-consumer plastic into L-DOPA, a frontline ...
Cell & Microbiology
Mar 16, 2026
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188
An international research team used multiple global agroeconomic models and found that climate mitigation consistent with the 1.5 °C target could raise global hunger risk in 2050 by 17% (56 million people) compared with a ...
Environment
Mar 16, 2026
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21
A new Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) study has found that while regenerative agriculture practices can improve soil health and reduce emissions on sheep farms, farmers often face trade-offs between environmental ...
Ecology
Mar 13, 2026
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27
Governments' attempts to achieve climate goals are falling short, in large part because wealthy economies are continuing to pursue economic growth. As these economies ramp up production and consumption, they make climate ...
Environment
Mar 13, 2026
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35
Is industry doing enough for the climate—or are many efforts still largely plans on paper? A new study from Chalmers University of Technology examines how Sweden's 20 largest industrial emitters are working toward the goal ...
Environment
Mar 12, 2026
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11
For millions of commuters, the workday doesn't just begin with a train ride. It also begins with a blast of heat. In one of the largest studies ever conducted on thermal comfort in metro systems, Northwestern University scientists ...
Environment
Mar 10, 2026
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