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.

Read more
Morning

Land of the (early) rising sun

20 Aug 2008

They say that early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise; but in Japan, it may also be feeding a nationalist revival not seen...

Read more
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...

Read more
Forest

Plan to conserve forests may be detrimental to other ecosystems

12 Jun 2008

Conserving biodiversity must be considered when developing plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, researchers warn in today’s...

Read more

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.

Read more
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?

Read more
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.

Read more

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.

Read more
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...

Read more
Cellulose in the plant cell wall

Using plants to harvest the Sun’s energy

01 Sep 2007

How can we efficiently unlock the bioenergy stored within plants? Research carried out in the Department of Biochemistry is breaking down the...

Read more

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.

Read more
Peak District

Going feral

01 Sep 2007

Are there any wild places left in Britain and Ireland? Robert Macfarlane has travelled in search of them, reflecting on the meaning of &lsquo...

Read more
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...

Read more

Pages