Topic description and stories

The climate crisis and biodiversity losses are affecting the planet at an alarming pace. Cambridge researchers are helping the response to these threats, building resilience, supporting the transition from fossil fuels to a zero-carbon future, and enabling us to act sustainably to protect the planet's precious resources and reduce waste.

The climate crisis: towards zero carbon

26 February 2020

Sir David Attenborough, Dr Jane Goodall DBE and leading Cambridge University researchers talk about the urgency of climate crisis – and some of the solutions that will take us towards zero carbon.

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Mclaren F1 Lewis Hamilton

Secrets of the inerter revealed

19 Aug 2008

A Cambridge University invention which was kept a closely-guarded secret because of the hidden advantage it offered to a Formula 1 racing team is...

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fishbone

Cod history

01 May 2008

The humble cod may be about to have its biggest impact on history since sparking “war” with Iceland in 1972.

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drawing CAD

Designing sustainable cities of the future

01 May 2008

As more people become city-dwellers, can we design cities to be more sustainable?

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under the sea

Under the sea

27 Mar 2008

Scientists explore huge volume of molten rock now frozen into the crust under the ocean’s floor.

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Prototype solar panel

Sunny times ahead for solar power

08 Feb 2008

A new initiative funded by the Carbon Trust hopes to make solar power an affordable choice for homeowners within 10 years.

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The Sun

Affordable solar power on the horizon

05 Oct 2007

Environmentally friendly solar panels may be an affordable alternative to conventional power sources within the next ten years, as a result of a new...

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Bamboo

Wind turbines turn to bamboo

01 Sep 2007

Bamboo – one of China’s most precious commodities – is showing great promise as the material of choice for building wind turbines.

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Dr Carenza Lewis

Dr Carenza Lewis

01 Sep 2007

A passion for communicating the thrill of the dig and for uncovering evidence of lives long gone is what inspires archaeologist Dr Carenza Lewis. Her...

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Dr Chris Smith

Dr Chris Smith

01 Apr 2007

Public engagement with science is top of Dr Chris Smith's agenda. His trailblazing approach to making scientific issues interesting, interactive and...

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Stacks of Clothes

Well dressed?

01 Apr 2007

As clothes become cheaper and fashion becomes 'faster', how are we to balance our consumption with environmental, economic and social sustainability...

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Coastal communities face greater threat of flooding due to land reclamation

01 Sep 2006

Seafront communities are being left wide open to the risk of flooding because of the loss of coastal ecosystems, a Cambridge academic has warned.

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Coral Reef at Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Researchers appeal for new regulations to save coral reefs from live fish trade

04 Aug 2006

Researchers are calling for tighter controls on the live reef fish trade, a growing threat to coral reefs, in letters to the international journal...

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