Environment news

a surfer in action

Protecting the Playing Field: A baseline on how sport can act for nature

A new report has carried out the first-ever assessment of how sports that take place on landscapes ranging from water, turf, mountains, and cities can act to protect nature.

Flood damage to a home in Whalley (2015), the floor is muddy and possessions are stacked on tables, etc

Previsico accelerates IoT rollout in the UK following flood mitigation success

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ spinout Previsico has launched the nationwide roll-out of innovative IoT technology that enables individuals and communities to build resilience against the impacts of flooding. This follows success across the UK, including Whalley in Lancashire, which was devasted by flooding in 2015 and 2020.
Josh Milburn - standing outdoors with trees behind him

Dr Josh Milburn goes head-to-head at the Being Human Festival

Dr Josh Milburn is appearing at the Being Human Festival this November – exploring issues around the food we eat and its production.

Innovative smart meter initiative will enable connection of low-carbon technologies to electricity network

Researchers from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ are developing innovative ways to use smart meter data to help equip the electricity network with low-carbon technologies.
Front and back cover of the Ghana cookbook

New cookbook aims to accelerate the clean cooking revolution in Ghana

Researchers are hoping that a new cookbook, produced with local community members, will help to show to the people of Ghana the benefits of electric cooking and encourage them to move away from more polluting biomass fuels.
Georgie's fantastic fungi sculpture

Fantastic fungi: Harnessing the magic of mycelium to create striking sculptures

You may or may not enjoy eating mushrooms, but how do you feel about having a vase grown by and made of fungi in your home?
An image of a data centre

Digital decarbonisation: What is it and why does it matter?

Organisations need to urgently tackle digital decarbonisation if the UK is to stand any chance of hitting its 2050 net-zero targets, warn º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ researchers.

How climate change and net zero commitments will impact the future of war

A new project will assess the impact that achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 will have on the UK’s armed forces.
Man picking up litter from grass and putting it in bag.

We studied 40,000 pieces of litter to find out where it all comes from – here’s what we discovered

Litter is perhaps the most tangible of all environmental problems. And it’s not just a disrespectful few who are responsible for it.

Centre left to right: David Goldspink, Caterpillar Vice President and General Manager and Professor Nick Jennings, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Vice-Chancellor with members of Caterpillar and the Innovation and Research Centre

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and Caterpillar reinforce strategic collaboration to accelerate innovative technologies for a reduced carbon future

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and Caterpillar have formally agreed to continue a strategic collaboration launched more than 25 years ago to accelerate innovative technologies within the off-highway powertrain sector.
a bike in action

Tour de France: future heatwaves may make it untenable to hold the race in July

As the men’s Tour de France wraps up and the women’s tournament begins, the European heat wave rages on. If you look closely, the heat can be seen in photos of the event: cooling towels around racers’ necks, water splashed over red faces, ice packs sticking out from under race jerseys.
Illustration of a phone saying 'extreme heat' with a red toned landscape in the background

Scientists share tips and tricks for staying cool in this week's extreme heat

The UK will experience two days of unprecedented heat this week, says the Met Office, and there’s a 90% chance the current temperature record will be broken.

Nail varnish remover, shampoo and even fabrics, the surprising everyday items that originate from fossil fuels

What would a world without fossil fuels look like? To visualise this, a group of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ researchers have compiled a gallery of images revealing the surprising items we use every day that are sourced from fossil fuels - and the alternatives we might replace them with.

Picture of Georgina Harland with hands raised in the air, in excitement.

Alumni and friends celebrated in Queen’s Birthday Honours list

Four alumni, an honorary graduate, and a former member of staff have been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2022. The list recognises people for their contributions to sports, charity, bird conservation, and disability services.
sports tech in action

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ researchers collaborate with FIFA on artificial pitch testing (VIDEO)

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ researchers have collaborated with international governing body giant FIFA to bring artificial pitch testing into the modern era.

Scones with jam and cream

Music to your ears (and mouth): Study explores if cooking with sound could produce more environmentally-friendly jam and cream

Planning an afternoon tea to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee? Have you got your jam and cream in?

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ to lead UK's first ever study on the effects of climate change on sleep

The first study in the UK to look at the impact of climate change on sleep is being led by º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.
Fruit Routes graphic with tiles illustrating a bird, a pair of cupped hands, a basket, and an origami form

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Fruit Routes initiative

The University is inviting colleagues, students and the local community to join its tenth celebration of Fruit Routes, ‘In your Hands’.

latest experts in sport logo

Experts in Sport: Sustainability and climate change

In the latest Experts in Sport podcast, guests Dr Maddy Orr and Dr Russell Seymour, provide an informative discussion on sport, climate change and sustainability.

New report identifies crucial drivers needed for transforming the modern energy cooking sector

Clean cooking remains a significantly underfunded sector in low-income countries, leading to a continued reliance on polluting fuels that have devastating health and environmental impacts.

New report finds smarter way to make homes more energy efficient

A new approach to measuring heat loss from homes with smart meters will make buildings more energy efficient and cut CO2, say researchers.
runners in action

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ academics continue vital athlete heat research

Researchers from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ will once again collaborate with the World Athletics Health and Science Department to investigate the effect of heat on endurance athletes.

a snowy mountain with a skier

Beijing 2022: environmental cost of world’s first Winter Olympics without natural snow – expert Q+A

The 24th Winter Olympic Games are underway in the Chinese capital, but winter itself seems far away.

unesco's logo

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s Professor Giulianotti appointed as University UNESCO Chair

Professor Richard Giulianotti has been appointed as º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s UNESCO Chair in Sport, Physical Activity and Education for Development.

A snow boarder in action

Slippery Slopes: How Climate Change is threatening the 2022 Winter Olympics

Climate change is threatening the Winter Olympics and the future of snow sports by making conditions much more dangerous to athletes and participants, finds a new report.