Stunning Photo of the South Sandwich Islands by Sebastião Salgado, 2009
Photo by Sebastião Salgado
Sebastião Salgado is renowned for his poignant portraits that depict humanity’s struggles in a tumultuous world. His impactful work covers significant events, from the assassination attempt on U.S. President Ronald Reagan to conflicts in Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East, and also chronicles the lives of workers and immigrants around the globe.
After documenting the Rwandan genocide, Salgado faced a personal crisis and withdrew to his family’s Brazilian farm, disheartened by the environmental devastation. Motivated by what he observed, he dedicated himself to restoring the Atlantic rainforest, which reignited his passion for photography. His acclaimed project, Genesis, captures the planet’s “untouched and undestroyed” areas, from Alaska’s mountains to the Amazon’s indigenous communities. These journeys transformed him into a staunch environmental advocate, as expressed in a separate interview.
Glaciers is a newly released book posthumously showcasing 65 breathtaking black-and-white images of glaciers, taken during Salgado’s Genesis project. These captivating frames capture both grand and subtle movements within frigid landscapes. The main image features a parade of penguins leaping from an iceberg into the turbulent waters of the South Sandwich Islands, while another captures a seabird swooping near an ice tower within the same region.
Remarkable shot captured by Sebastião Salgado in 2009, between Bristol and Bellingshausen Islands.
Photo by Sebastião Salgado
However, these majestic images remind us that glaciers are rapidly vanishing, with approximately 1,000 disappearing each year. The situation is dire: current projections indicate that nearly 80% of glaciers may be lost by 2100, which includes vast regions in western Canada, the United States, and the Alps.
Incredible image of Kluane National Park and Reserve, captured by Sebastião Salgado in 2011
Photo by Sebastião Salgado
The above image showcases a grand glacier wending through the majestic landscapes of Canada’s Kluane National Park. The following image exhibits clouds swirling around the ice formations atop Cerro Torre in Patagonia.
Stunning photo of Cerro Torre, Patagonia, captured by Sebastião Salgado in 2007
Photo by Sebastião Salgado
The following image shows a glacier calving at the rocky shores of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, illustrating the profound effects of climate change, as both surfaces have been sculpted by the relentless flow of ice.
Calving glacier in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, photographed by Sebastião Salgado in 2007
Photo by Sebastião Salgado
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Farmers Spraying Pesticides on Cotton Fields
Tao Weimin/VCG via Getty Images
Over 60 years have passed since Rachel Carson’s influential book, Silent Spring, highlighted the dangers of pesticides. The negative impact on wildlife has escalated, potentially more than ever before.
“Across nearly every nation, there is a trend of increased pesticide toxicity,” explains Ralph Schulz from RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, Germany.
The risks associated with pesticides depend on both the volume used and their toxicity levels, which can vary significantly among species. To quantify the overall pesticide burden, Schulz and his team formulated a metric called “applied toxicity.”
The team investigated the use of 625 pesticides across 201 countries from 2013 to 2019, incorporating both organic and conventional pesticide data.
They averaged toxicity data from regulatory bodies in various nations, assessing the toxicity levels to eight major organism groups: aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, fish, terrestrial arthropods, pollinators, soil organisms, terrestrial vertebrates, and terrestrial plants. This enabled them to calculate the total toxicity per country or organism group.
Globally, applied toxicity rose from 2013 to 2019 in six out of eight organism groups. Notably, pollinators saw a 13% increase, fish a 27% rise, and terrestrial arthropods—including insects, crustaceans, and spiders—experienced a 43% increase.
“This increase does not automatically translate to direct toxic effects on these organisms,” Schulz clarifies. “However, it serves as an important indicator of the toxicity levels of the pesticides currently in use.”
Numerous studies indicate that pesticide concentrations in various ecosystems, such as rivers, often exceed regulators’ assessments during approval processes.
“While this particular index does not account for it, significant evidence exists,” Schulz remarks, emphasizing that risk evaluations tend to underestimate real-world exposures.
The rise in the combined applied toxicity stems from two key factors: the increased use of pesticides and the replacement of older varieties with more toxic alternatives, spurred primarily by the emergence of pest resistance. Schulz notes, “In my view, resistance will only exacerbate with more chemical pesticide use.”
Pesticides like pyrethroids pose notable risks to fish and aquatic invertebrates, even when applied in minimal amounts. Neonicotinoids also significantly threaten pollinators.
Calls to eliminate glyphosate, known as Roundup, are growing. Although glyphosate’s overall toxicity is relatively low, its widespread use contributes to cumulative toxicity, according to Schulz. A ban could backfire if more toxic herbicides are adopted following the ban.
Reducing pesticide usage could lead to unintended consequences; declining farm productivity may necessitate more land clearance, resulting in biodiversity loss.
During the 2022 UN Biodiversity Summit, nations pledged to reduce biodiversity loss. Schulz states, “Overall risk from pesticides” has yet to be precisely defined, but he believes that the aggregate of applied toxicities could serve as a metric.
While this method has its limitations, he insists that no perfect measure of overall pesticide use exists. Roel Vermeulen of Utrecht University in the Netherlands adds, “Despite the uncertainties, the alarming trends it reveals are undeniable.” He warns, “The world is drifting away from UN objectives, which spells bad news for ecosystems and ultimately for human health.”
“Crucially, this study illustrates that a small number of highly toxic pesticides are responsible for the majority of overall risk, highlighting clear and actionable targets for significant benefits,” Vermeulen asserts.
Transforming agricultural practices will require broader societal shifts. “Consumers must adopt dietary modifications, minimize food waste, and pay fair prices that truly reflect the environmental costs of production,” he concludes.
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Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea) Larvae Feeding on Cotton Plants
Debra Ferguson/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group (via Getty Images)
The cotton bollworm and corn earworm, recognized as “giant pests,” are currently wreaking havoc on farmers globally. Recent interbreeding incidents in Brazil have resulted in a hybrid that possesses resistance to various pesticides. If this trend continues unchecked, the hybrid strain may severely impact soybean and other crop yields, jeopardizing global food security.
“This can pose significant challenges,” notes Chris Jiggins from Cambridge University.
Many nations rely on Brazilian soybeans for both human and animal feed—“it essentially feeds the world,” Jiggins remarks.
In Brazil, over 90% of soybeans cultivated are genetically modified (GM) varieties containing built-in pesticides. The emergence of resistant pests could precipitate a decline in yields, leading to heightened food prices. Additionally, increased deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions may occur as farmers seek to clear more land for cultivation.
The corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), a moth native to the Americas, features caterpillars that are highly destructive to a variety of crops, particularly corn. They also pose threats to tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants.
Historically, H. zea has not been a significant issue for soybean farmers in Brazil, as soybeans are not their primary food source. However, the detection of the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) in Brazil in 2013 marked a troubling development. This pest, a close relative of H. zea, has proven to be widely detrimental. Both moth species are categorized as “giant pests” due to their notorious destructiveness and resistance to control measures.
“The concerns are well-founded, given their significant impact,” Jiggins emphasizes. “Moths can travel substantial distances, complicating control efforts.”
H. armigera feeds on multiple plant types, while H. zea primarily reproduces in soybeans, leading to financial strains on Brazilian agriculture with costs totaling billions of dollars, according to Jiggins.
The introduction of Bt soybeans—genetically engineered to produce proteins derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis—has alleviated some challenges posed by these pests.
Initial belief held that hybridization between H. armigera and H. zea was implausible. However, genetic analyses from 2018 identified hybrids within the species. Recent genomic studies of around 1,000 moths collected over the past decade have revealed alarming trends.
Analysis indicates that one-third of H. armigera specimens now possess genes conferring resistance to Bt toxins, a concerning development since H. zea strains have evolved comparable resistances after their introduction in North America during the 1990s. This resistance, now spreading to South America, suggests a perilous progression as hybridization occurs. While hybrid H. armigera has not yet produced severe consequences, experts caution that as resistance continues to evolve, the situation may change rapidly.
Gene transfers between species are occurring, and H. zea in Brazil have gained resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. “The speed of this development is astounding,” notes Jiggins.
Angela McGaughran from the University of Waikato asserts that “as global interconnectedness and climate change enable species range expansion, the looming threat of these megapests could amplify on a worldwide scale.”
Farmers are advised to implement non-Bt crop rotations alongside Bt crops to mitigate the spread of resistant pests. However, adherence to these guidelines remains inconsistent across various countries.
Biotech companies are now researching multi-gene Bt strains—producing two, three, or even five different Bt proteins to combat resistance. However, Jiggins insists that the cost and duration of bringing such innovations to market underscore the necessity for sustainable resistance management, including reducing exposure to existing Bt crops.
While hybridization facilitates resistance, Tabashnik highlights that intra-species evolution remains the leading concern. In China, for instance, H. armigera has developed resistance to the original Bt toxin independently.
Young Loggerhead Sea Turtle in the Caribbean Sea near the Bahamas
WaterFrame/Alamy
Recent research indicates that sea turtles may be more resilient to climate change than previously believed. Concerns have been raised that rising temperatures could lead to the extinction of these reptiles, as a majority of turtle eggs tend to develop into females. However, scientists have discovered a genetic safety net that maintains a more balanced sex ratio even as temperatures increase.
According to Chris Eizaguirre at Queen Mary University of London, “We believe we have uncovered the ability of turtles to adapt to the environment they find themselves in.”
The gender of baby sea turtles is temperature-dependent rather than determined by chromosomes. Laboratory studies show that cooler nest temperatures favor male hatchlings, while warmer conditions promote female hatchlings. This raises concerns that global warming could result in significantly more female turtles.
For instance, genetic research conducted in 2018 revealed that around 99% of young green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) aged 4 to 20 years in a nesting area off Australia were female. This finding contributed to alarming predictions about male shortages which could lead to a population collapse.
However, due to the challenges of identifying a turtle’s gender before it reaches maturity, field data regarding hatchling sex ratios have been limited.
To address this gap, Eizaguirre and colleagues conducted both laboratory and field experiments focused on loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).
In one phase of the study, they collected 240 eggs from seven loggerhead nests along Florida’s Palm Beach County coast. These eggs were incubated at three different temperatures: 27°C (81°F) suitable for male hatchling production, 30°C (86°F) for an equal sex ratio, and 32°C (90°F) to promote female hatchlings.
After one to three days, blood samples were taken from the hatchlings, which were kept until mature enough for sex determination via keyhole surgery or laparoscopic imaging.
By comparing genetic data from the blood samples, researchers found distinctive activity patterns in hundreds of genes that indicated sex, attributable to an epigenetic process called DNA methylation. In females, 383 genes were hypermethylated, while males had 394 hypermethylated genes, many of which are known to play roles in sexual development.
Utilizing these findings, the team conducted field research on Sal Island, Cape Verde, collecting 29 newly laid loggerhead sea turtle eggs. The eggs were divided, with half buried in a cooler area and the other half in a warmer spot, and monitored for temperature variations.
Analysis of blood samples from 116 hatchlings revealed a higher number of males than predicted, suggesting previous models had overestimated female hatchling production by 50-60%, likely due to previously unrecognized biological adaptations.
“This discovery highlights that molecular mechanisms exist that help turtles adapt to climate change by modulating the sensitivity of sexual differentiation to temperature,” Eizaguirre explains.
“While feminization is a concern and does occur due to climate change, we are suggesting that if populations are robust and genetically diverse, species can adapt to their environmental conditions,” he adds.
These findings are supported by recent evidence from Graham Hayes at Deakin University, which showed that more male sea turtles are hatching than originally expected if temperature were the sole factor in sex determination. Hayes notes that turtles can adapt their crucial temperature-related sex ratios to local conditions.
In addition, turtles employ other strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as nesting earlier in the season and adjusting their migration patterns to breeding grounds to counteract feminization effects. “While females may not breed annually, males migrate to breeding grounds more frequently, contributing to a more balanced reproductive sex ratio,” Hayes explains.
Despite these behavioral adaptations, Eizaguirre warns that hatchlings still face threats from excessive heat, which can lead to lasting changes in DNA methylation—an indication of molecular adaptation that is promising for these vulnerable reptiles.
The world is entering an alarming “era of water bankruptcy” fueled by overconsumption and climate change. Approximately 75% of the global population lives in regions confronting severe water scarcity, pollution, and drought.
This is the finding of a United Nations report, which concludes that many regions are extracting excessive amounts from their annual rainwater and snowmelt, leading to the rapid depletion of groundwater reserves that may take thousands of years to replenish. Notably, 70% of major aquifers are now classified as depleted, and many changes are irreversible.
Key contributors to this crisis include the expansion of agriculture and urbanization into arid areas, which are becoming increasingly dry due to climate change. For instance, around 700 sinkholes have formed in Türkiye as a consequence of groundwater extraction. In addition, devastating sandstorms induced by desertification have resulted in numerous casualties in Beijing.
“Our surface water account is now empty,” asserts Kave Madani from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. “The inherited savings from our ancestors—groundwater and glaciers—are now exhausted. We are witnessing global signs of water bankruptcy,” he explained.
Approximately 4 billion people face water scarcity for at least one month each year, which is exacerbated by immigration, conflict, and insecurity. Madani noted that while a currency collapse triggered recent protests in Iran, underlying water shortages were also significant contributors.
Iran has experienced its driest autumn in 50 years. This situation is further aggravated by the rapid proliferation of agricultural dams and wells, contributing to the near-complete desiccation of Lake Urmia, once the largest lake in the Middle East. The Iranian government is now considering evacuating Tehran and is exploring cloud-seeding methods to induce rain.
In the United States, the Colorado River, which is crucial for the water supply in much of the western region, has experienced an estimated flow reduction of 20% in the past 20 years. This decline is mainly attributed to decreased rainfall and increased evaporation, alongside excessive water repurposing for beef and dairy production. Cities like Los Angeles rely heavily on this water for drinking, despite the diminishing flow reaching the ocean.
The river’s primary reservoirs are currently at about 30% capacity, and projections indicate they could reach “dead pool” status (10-15% capacity) by 2027, according to research conducted by Bradley Udall from Colorado State University. Negotiations over water allocation among states stalled last year.
Experts emphasize that increasing agricultural water efficiency often leads to greater water consumption. Improvements such as drip and sprinkler irrigation allow for gradual water absorption, yet more water also runs back into rivers from flooded fields. Therefore, it is essential to reduce overall water consumption alongside enhancing efficiency, Udall asserts.
“Agriculture consumes 70% of our water resources, hence effective solutions must originate from the agricultural sector,” he adds. “A reduction in agricultural use is crucial, and this issue is prevalent worldwide.”
Approximately half of the global food production occurs in areas where water storage is diminishing. Addressing agricultural water use will also necessitate economic diversification to support the livelihoods of over 1 billion individuals, predominantly in low-income nations, which often export food to high-income countries.
“Water is integral to the economy, as it significantly impacts public health,” states Madani. “If jobs are lost, it can lead to social unrest similar to what we are witnessing in Iran.”
Even regions with sufficient rainfall are experiencing increased water extraction by data centers or contamination from industries, sewage, and agricultural runoff. Wetlands equivalent to the area of the European Union are being lost primarily due to agricultural conversion, incurring an estimated global cost of $5.1 trillion in ecosystem services, such as flood mitigation, food production, and carbon storage.
In Bangladesh, approximately half of the nation experiences well water contamination due to arsenic, exacerbated by rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion. In Dhaka, tap water and the ominously dubbed “river of death” are polluted by chemicals linked to fast-fashion product manufacturing intended for export to Europe and North America.
“It is widely known that the river is tainted by the garment industry,” notes Sonia Hawke from Oxford University. “However, strict regulations could deter buyers, creating a conflict of interest.”
In many instances, vital water bodies—including rivers, lakes, wetlands, and aquifers—struggle to return to their previous conditions. Additionally, significant glacial melting has diminished water supplies for hundreds of millions.
Madani emphasizes the necessity for humanity to adapt to reduced water availability through improved water management strategies. However, this starts with accurately assessing water resources and consumption, including household meters, well usage, and waterway health.
“Efforts like [cloud-seeding] may be futile if we don’t understand our water system’s metrics. Effective management begins with measurement,” Madani concludes.
The impact of climate change is accelerating faster than anticipated, with governments and businesses continuing to underestimate associated risks. These risks could lead to economic losses reaching trillions of dollars by 2050.
According to reports from climate scientists and financial experts, the world might be significantly underestimating the speed of global warming, facing the prospect of “planetary bankruptcy.” This means climate change could cause extensive damage to both the environment and economic growth.
Decision-makers often concentrate on intermediate climate impact estimates. However, with phenomena such as extreme precipitation occurring sooner than projected, preparations for worst-case scenarios are necessary, as indicated in the report.
“Urgent global cooperation on a solvency plan is essential,” says David King, former chief climate adviser to the UK government, who contributed to the report. “We’re experiencing an acceleration in temperature rise. While the future is uncertain, it’s reasonable to assume that this trend won’t reverse.”
The initial step towards such a plan could involve reevaluating the assumption that the global economy will continue to grow indefinitely. Sandy Trust, a British investment manager at Baillie Gifford, remarked that according to the Network for Greening the Financial System, the world could incur trillions in annual losses by 2050 due to climate impacts. However, the network believes that a recession is unlikely, as global economic growth might outpace these losses.
“This is akin to Titanic risk modeling, predicting a smooth journey from the deck of the Titanic in April 1912,” Trust adds. “Such assumptions overlook fundamental principles of risk management—most notably, the importance of planning for worst-case scenarios.”
Preparation for the worst is critical, according to a report from the European Union’s Copernicus climate change agency. The study highlighted that 2025 was the third warmest year on record, with average temperatures rising 1.47 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The temperatures in 2024 were even higher, leading to a three-year average exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius for the first time.
This growth represents a step closer to the 20-30 year average needed to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting temperature rises to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Ten years since the agreement was signed, projections indicated that the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold would be reached by 2045. However, if current trends persist, according to Copernicus’ data, we could breach this critical limit by 2030.
Scientists indicate that the rate of global warming is speeding up, largely due to declining air pollution levels, including sulfur emissions from coal-fired power plants and shipping. With clearer skies, more sunlight reaches the Earth, leading to an apparent increase of about 0.5 degrees Celsius.
However, the primary factor behind breaching the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold sooner than predicted is the relentless rise in greenhouse gas emissions. Samantha Burgess from Copernicus emphasizes that fossil fuel emissions are expected to hit record levels in 2025.
“Emissions are not decreasing as quickly as anticipated,” Burgess comments.
With each increment of warming, extreme weather events become increasingly frequent and severe. The January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles may potentially mark the most costly natural disaster in U.S. history, exacerbated by the climate crisis which will likely double their frequency and amplify their severity by 25 times. Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to make landfall in the Atlantic, had wind speeds at least 10 miles per hour higher than would normally be expected without climate change.
“This figure represents a global average; thus, 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming means that heatwaves can be 3 to 4 degrees, or even 10 degrees hotter than usual,” Burgess explains. “The younger generation will face even more extreme heat and climate risks than we did.”
The polar regions are warming at a pace faster than others, mainly due to feedback mechanisms, such as the loss of reflective snow and ice. In fact, last year witnessed record warmth in Antarctica, attributed to an unusual stratospheric heating event. The extent of sea ice across the Arctic and Antarctic has now reached unprecedented lows.
On a positive note, global emissions are showing a leveling-off trend, specifically in China, where emissions have stabilized.
“With CO2 emissions plateauing, we anticipate continued warming, but not at an accelerated rate,” states Timothy Osborne of the University of East Anglia, UK.
Addressing methane leaks from infrastructures like gas pipelines and aging coal mines could provide a short-term solution, King suggests. Reducing methane emissions by 30% over the next decade could mitigate global warming by at least 0.2 degrees Celsius by 2050.
“We must also tackle other slow-moving issues, which are vital elements of our path forward,” King asserts. “An overshoot beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius presents significant challenges for humanity.”
President Donald Trump’s controversial choice to withdraw the United States from key United Nations-affiliated organizations means the country risks losing its significant role in crucial global climate change discussions.
In a sweeping executive order issued on Wednesday, President Trump halted U.S. funding for 66 international bodies, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)—an agreement the U.S. joined in 1992—and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which releases the most authoritative climate reports globally.
According to a post by the White House, these organizations are deemed “no longer in the interest of the United States.”
This action underscores the Trump administration’s retreat from climate action, coinciding with escalating global warming effects, which are leading to more frequent and severe weather disasters across the U.S. Events like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes now inflict tens of billions in damages annually. By 2025, it’s projected that 23 extreme weather events will individually cause damages exceeding $1 billion, totaling approximately $115 billion, according to an analysis from Climate Central.
This withdrawal signifies the Trump administration’s rejection of climate diplomacy, further isolating the United States from the global community’s efforts to reduce warming and mitigate the most severe climate change impacts.
In January 2025, the U.S. is set to finalize its exit from the Paris Agreement, a pivotal accord signed in 2016, where 195 participating countries committed to limiting greenhouse gas emissions to prevent global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), with a maximum increase of 2 degrees Celsius.
The UNFCCC provided the foundational framework for the Paris Agreement, established in 1992 to identify and tackle the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The treaty was signed by President George Bush after receiving Senate approval with a two-thirds majority vote.
Should the U.S. fully withdraw from the UNFCCC (a process estimated to take a year), it would mark the first instance in history of a country exiting such an agreement. This action could complicate future presidents’ ability to rejoin the Paris Agreement, as reentry requires new Senate approval with a two-thirds majority.
Extracting itself from the UNFCCC would render the United States the only nation without a presence at international climate discussions, as demonstrated by the White House’s decision to forgo an official delegation at the recent COP30 summit in Brazil.
Attendees arrive at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, November 7, 2025. COP 30 Press Office/Anadolu/Getty Images
“Historically, even countries that remained passive at negotiations seldom walked away entirely, as it ensured their input was not disregarded,” stated Christy Ebi, a climate scientist from the University of Washington who has contributed to IPCC reports.
Ebi noted that while past U.S. administrations may have shown limited enthusiasm during discussions, they still tracked proceedings.
“Delegates would listen quietly from the sidelines, but now there’s a complete withdrawal,” she remarked.
The Trump administration has openly criticized the UNFCCC and similar organizations. In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to them as “anti-American and ineffective.”
The United States is set to officially exit the Paris Agreement on January 27, marking nearly a year since the administration initiated the withdrawal process.
However, questions persist about whether President Trump can withdraw from the UNFCCC without Congressional approval.
Gene Hsu, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, argues the action is unlawful. “The Constitution clearly outlines the process for joining a treaty with a two-thirds Senate majority but is ambiguous regarding withdrawal,” Suh explained. “We are considering legal action due to the absence of legal precedence for a president unilaterally exiting a Senate-approved treaty.”
The UNFCCC is the global mediator for climate negotiations, organizing the Conference of the Parties (COP) annually to address emissions targets and funding for climate action. The previous year’s conference focused on deforestation challenges and impacts on the Amazon rainforest.
“Hosting such global discussions is akin to managing the Olympics; organizational support is essential,” Ebi said.
Following the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the UNFCCC encountered a budget crisis, prompting Bloomberg Philanthropies, led by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to intervene financially to sustain operations.
In response, UNFCCC Executive Director Simon Steele asserted that Trump’s withdrawal would “diminish America’s security and prosperity.”
“Similar to the previous Paris Agreement, there remains an opportunity for the United States to re-engage in the future,” Steele remarked.
Throughout his inaugural year, President Trump has targeted climate change through substantial budget cuts, labeling it a “swindle.” His administration has worked to undercut key climate reports, such as the National Climate Assessment, while attempting to diminish the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming.
Former Vice President Al Gore, a dedicated climate activist, commented on X that the Trump administration has “neglected the climate crisis from the outset,” putting Americans and global communities at risk while catering to oil industry interests.
“By withdrawing from the IPCC, UNFCCC, and other vital international collaborations, the Trump administration is undermining decades of carefully cultivated diplomacy, eroding climate science, and instilling global distrust,” Gore concluded.
The European Union is poised to implement carbon tariffs starting January 1, marking a significant shift in international climate policy. This initiative targets countries lagging in carbon emissions reductions, introducing financial penalties that will aim to hold companies accountable for their environmental impact.
Countries affected by these carbon taxes are expressing discontent, as tensions rise around the EU’s carbon border tariffs, officially labeled under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Anticipate trade disputes, but these taxes are expected to persist, with analysts like Ellie Belton from E3G predicting global adoption of similar measures.
Belton notes, “We can foresee carbon border adjustment mechanisms emerging globally.” The UK is set to implement its version by 2027, with countries such as Australia, Canada, and Taiwan also contemplating the adoption of carbon tariffs.
The EU’s carbon border tax extends the existing carbon pricing framework established in 2005. Since then, EU industries with high carbon emissions have been subject to costs associated with carbon allowances under the emissions trading system. Currently, the carbon price stands at approximately 76 euros per tonne of CO2.
This pricing disparity means EU steel producers face higher costs compared to their counterparts in nations without carbon pricing. The newly introduced tariffs strive to level the playing field, adjusting import tariffs to align with internal EU carbon prices.
For countries already employing carbon pricing, the EU will impose only the price difference on imports. Besides steel, other industries affected by border taxes include iron, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, hydrogen, and electricity.
The primary goal is to prevent carbon leakage, where industries relocate to jurisdictions with less stringent environmental regulations. “The EU insists on no exemptions, as these would create pollution havens,” Belton emphasizes.
Additionally, this policy aims to encourage global efforts in reducing carbon emissions. Countries like Brazil and Türkiye have already implemented their own carbon pricing mechanisms in response to the EU’s initiative.
In 2023, the EU finalized plans for the carbon border adjustment mechanism, launching a pilot scheme in October that required businesses to declare emissions. Effective January 1, companies will begin accruing charges, gradually increasing until full implementation by 2034.
British firms are anticipated to avoid taxation under the UK’s own carbon border adjustment mechanism as negotiations continue to ensure compatibility with EU regulations.
Ideally, a unified carbon border adjustment system across nations would enhance economic influence and comparative power in global forums. However, Belton foresees a fragmented landscape of varied carbon pricing approaches worldwide.
Corals construct their skeletons from calcium carbonate, releasing carbon dioxide as a byproduct.
Reinhard Dirscherl/Alamy
For the last 250 million years, coral reef systems have been crucial to the Earth’s climate, but perhaps not in the manner you might assume.
Coral reefs generate excess carbon dioxide because the formation of calcium carbonate, which constitutes coral skeletons, involves the release of greenhouse gases.
Certain plankton species utilize calcium carbonate to form their shells, and when these organisms perish, the mineral becomes buried on the ocean floor. In ecosystems dominated by coral, calcium and carbonate ions that typically nourish deep-sea plankton are rendered inaccessible.
Tristan Salles and his team at the University of Sydney conducted a modeling study on the interactions among shallow corals and deep-sea plankton over the last 250 million years, incorporating reconstructions of plate tectonics, climate simulations, and variations in sediment contribution to the ocean.
They determined that tectonic activity and geographic features foster periods with extensive shallow continental shelves, which provide optimal conditions for reef-building corals, thereby disrupting the coral-plankton dynamics.
As the area covered by coral reefs diminishes, calcium and alkali levels accumulate in the ocean, enhancing plankton productivity and increasing the burial of carbonate in the deep ocean. This shift contributes to lower CO2 concentrations and cooler temperatures.
The study revealed three significant disruptions in the carbon cycle over the past 250 million years. During these events—specifically in the Mid-Triassic, Mid-Jurassic, and Late Cretaceous—extensive coral reefs consumed vast amounts of calcium carbonate, resulting in notable ocean temperature increases.
Once the balance between shallow-sea corals and deep-sea plankton is disrupted, realignment can require hundreds of thousands to millions of years, noted Salles.
“Even if the system recovers from a significant crisis, achieving equilibrium will be a prolonged process, significantly extending beyond human timelines,” Salles elaborated.
On a brighter note, Salles observes that corals excel at absorbing excess nutrients to aid in reef building, even if planktonic nutrient growth gets excessive.
Currently, human-induced carbon dioxide emissions are driving unprecedented global warming and ocean acidification, endangering both corals and plankton, according to Salles. While the outcomes remain uncertain, the potential impact on ecosystems could be catastrophic.
“The feedback mechanisms we modeled span deep time and may not be relevant today. The current rate of change is too rapid for carbonate platform feedbacks to maintain similar significance.”
Alexander Skiles from the Australian National University in Canberra remarks that this research illustrates a “profoundly interconnected feedback cycle between ecosystems and climate.”
He suggested that while species are presumed to evolve and adapt to the climatic conditions dictated by “immutable physical and chemical processes,” it is increasingly evident that certain species are actively shaping the climate itself, leading to co-evolutionary feedback loops.
“Beyond corals, ancient microbial colonies like stromatolites have significantly influenced atmospheric carbon regulation,” Skiles pointed out.
“It is well-recognized that carbon is accelerating climate warming at an alarming rate. Corals contribute to this dynamic over extensive geological time, which may elucidate fluctuations between warmer and cooler periods.”
Indus Valley Civilization ruins in Moenjodaro, Pakistan
Sergey-73/Shutterstock
A changing climate and intense droughts significantly impacted the Indus Valley Civilization, a remarkable urban society that thrived approximately 4,000 years ago in present-day Pakistan and India.
This civilization established settlements along the Indus River and its tributaries, extending their reach beyond other prominent ancient cultures like those in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Known as the Harappan civilization, they constructed various cities, with Harappa being a notable hub housing around 35,000 residents.
While their writing system remains largely undeciphered, the Harappans excelled in water management, featuring extensive cisterns and a complex sewage system made of terracotta pipes and brick channels. Unfortunately, these advancements could not endure the prolonged hot and arid conditions over millennia.
“There were four significant droughts between the pre-Harappan and late Harappan periods,” says Vimal Mishra, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar. “This led to ongoing migrations to regions with more reliable water sources.”
Prior studies indicated that a global drought 4,200 years ago weakened monsoon rains in the Indus Valley, contributing to the civilizations’ downfall. However, Mishra and his colleagues posit that the decline was a more gradual process.
Using three climate models, the researchers estimated rainfall patterns in the area, validating their conclusions with data from stalactites, stalagmites, and lake sediments.
The findings revealed that from 4,400 to 3,400 years ago, the Indus Valley Civilization experienced four prolonged droughts, each lasting at least 85 years, accompanied by a temperature increase of about 0.5°C.
Additional modeling suggested a drop in the Indus River’s water levels. It is believed that the Harappans honored the river and relied on its annual floods for irrigation of crops such as wheat and barley, congregating around waterways. Continued droughts ultimately forced them to abandon their cities and resettle in the foothills of the Himalayas and the Ganges plains.
Research indicates that warming and drying trends may have been initiated by natural climate cycles such as El Niño and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, along with feedback mechanisms including vegetation loss and dust pollution.
This study stands out for its innovative integration of modeling and proxy measurements; however, it advocates for future research to consider evapotranspiration (the transfer of water from land to the atmosphere), particularly significant in hot climates. According to Sebastian Breitenbach from Northumbria University, UK, the current pace of climate change outstrips that of the Harappans, necessitating that policymakers explore adaptive strategies, including improved water storage systems and groundwater conservation.
“These studies serve as a cautionary tale,” Breitenbach remarks, “providing insights into potential future scenarios.”
Cairo and Alexandria: The Cradle of Ancient Science in Egypt
Embark on an extraordinary voyage through Cairo and Alexandria, two of Egypt’s most legendary cities, where ancient history intertwines with contemporary allure.
Climate change activists march on the sidelines of the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil
Pablo Porciuncula/AFP via Getty Images
A decade following the Paris Agreement, there should be a significant leap in climate initiatives. Yet, in the past four years, there has been scant advancement, highlighted by the latest COP summit, which did not make substantial progress in phasing out fossil fuels or curbing deforestation. What went wrong?
I cannot provide a clear answer. However, as the planet continues to warm and the consequences become increasingly dire, I fear our responses are leaning toward irrationality instead of rationality. If true, the resulting climate impacts may be far worse, and the decline of our global civilization could become a more plausible scenario than previously imagined.
Let’s revisit the 2015 Paris Agreement. The concept of an international climate accord, wherein each nation would establish its own greenhouse gas emission targets, seemed to me incredibly naive. The ambitious 1.5 degrees Celsius target was a stark shift from prior plans. Advocates claimed progress would be made incrementally through a “ratchet mechanism,” allowing nations to enhance their commitments over time.
I remained skeptical. I left Paris believing this was largely a façade for environmentalism. My expectation was minimal immediate influence but increased action as the consequences of warming became undeniable. In essence, reason would eventuate.
Yet, the opposite has occurred. Based on current policies, the Climate Action Tracker estimated back in 2015 that the world was on course for approximately 3.6°C of warming by 2100. By 2021, that figure was revised to around 2.6°C—a significant improvement, suggesting Paris was making strides.
However, the most recent Climate Action Tracker report prior to the COP30 summit presents grim findings. For four consecutive years, there has been “little or no measurable progress.” The report states, “Global progress remains stagnant.” Although a handful of countries are genuinely advancing, others are stalling or reversing their climate efforts.
While the increase in renewable energy generation is surpassing expectations, it’s counterbalanced by substantial funds still being allocated to fossil fuels. Simply harnessing cheap solar energy won’t suffice. The proliferation of solar installations can lead to diminishing returns on profits. Moreover, although producing green electricity is manageable, progress in more challenging sectors like agriculture, aviation, and steel manufacturing remains inadequate.
In addition, the issue is not solely the failure to reduce emissions; we are also ill-equipped to handle what’s coming. We continue constructing cities on sinking land adjacent to rising seas. As noted in an April report, “Adaptation progress is either too slow, stagnant, or misdirected,” a sentiment echoed by the UK’s Climate Change Committee.
The pressing question is why climate action has plateaued without intensification. In some regions, this is strikingly due to political leaders who either disregard climate change as a priority or blatantly deny it, such as seen with the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
Even those governments that vocalize climate change as a priority are taking minimal action, often citing more immediate concerns like the cost of living crisis. However, this crisis is intertwined with climate issues, as escalated severe weather patterns fuel rising food prices. As the climate continues to warm, the repercussions on food production and the broader economy will likely intensify.
Will we reach a moment where governments find themselves paralyzed on climate action due to the costs associated with combating rising sea levels inundating metropolises? Will citizens persist in supporting climate change deniers out of fear regarding global conditions, regardless of public opinion? Most individuals worldwide support increased climate action.
The notion that mounting evidence will lead leaders to rectify their course appears ever more naive. We navigate an unusual reality, reminiscent of the CDC’s handling of misinformation, such as the baseless anti-vaccination movements undermining public health even amid measles outbreaks, alongside some politicians suggesting that hurricanes stem from climate manipulation.
As we continue to break temperature records annually, the reality of climate change has never been clearer. But perhaps that’s part of the issue. Philosopher Martha Nussbaum posited that fear can drive detrimental behavior, prompting people to discard rational thought for fleeting pleasure over long-term benefits. Research indicates that environmental stress may lead individuals to act irrationally.
People often leap from perceiving difficulties to declaring imminent doom. No, we are not condemned. However, the longer rational thought is sidelined, the graver the consequences will become. Perhaps what we’re witnessing is merely a transient response linked to the pandemic’s aftermath and the Ukraine war. Alternatively, something more troubling might be unfolding.
Currently, over 80 percent of the global population resides in urban areas, a statistic that’s on the rise, emphasizing the necessity for cities to enhance both human health and environmental sustainability, as detailed in a significant United Nations report.
The latest Outlook for Global Urbanization report, published in 2018, indicated that 55 percent of the population lived in urban settings. However, these estimates vary internationally based on disparate definitions of urban and rural regions. For instance, Denmark considers an urban settlement to be one with a population of about 200, while Japan sets the threshold at 50,000, obscuring the understanding of global urbanization.
To clarify matters, Sarah Hertog, a researcher for the United Nations in New York, identified urban areas as those with at least 50,000 inhabitants and a density of 1,500 people per square kilometer, or cities with a minimum of 5,000 people and 300 people per square kilometer.2 “For the first time, we applied a consistent definition across all countries,” Hertog stated.
The researchers analyzed satellite and national survey data from 237 nations and territories to project global urbanization trends for 2025. Their findings indicated that 45 percent of the world’s population currently resides in cities, most within urban areas of fewer than 250,000 inhabitants, meaning a total of 81 percent of people are urban residents, with the last 19 percent in rural regions.
Statistical models incorporating factors like aging and migration patterns predict that by 2050, 83 percent of the global population will inhabit cities rather than rural settings. Although the overall number of city and town residents will rise until 2050, the rural population, mainly influenced by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is expected to peak in the 2040s and subsequently decline until 2050.
These new estimates will assist the United Nations in tracking progress towards its goals. Hertog noted that the aim is to achieve the 11th Sustainable Development Goal, which aspires to make urban areas more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by 2030. The outcomes will also be included in a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to help inform policies to mitigate climate change.
Factors driving urban population growth differ by region. In eastern and southern Asia, rural-to-urban migration is predominant. “People migrate not just for job opportunities and education, but also for social interactions,” according to Hertog. While international migration significantly influences Europe and North America, in sub-Saharan Africa, the rise is largely attributable to higher birth rates compared to death rates.
The increase in urbanization presents both challenges and opportunities for the environment. As urban populations expand city limits, improper public transport planning can lead to urban sprawl, increasing car dependency and carbon emissions. Conversely, thoughtful planning can yield more energy-efficient transit options than those offered in rural areas.
Urbanization also impacts health. For instance, residents in urban settings are typically more susceptible to air pollution and extreme heat, which correlate with issues like cardiovascular problems and a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, as stated by Andrea Mechelli from King’s College London. Moreover, the scarcity of green spaces in certain urban locales can lead to heightened anxiety and cases of depression, he emphasizes.
However, urbanization also offers health advantages. “Healthcare in urban settings tends to be more accessible and comprehensive compared to rural areas,” notes Mechelli. “Additionally, social connections are easier to establish in cities, where individuals can find like-minded people, unlike in rural regions where one might need to travel for hours to meet others with similar interests.”
This does not imply that urbanization should be halted or that city living is undesirable. Mechelli concluded, “This report underscores the urgency to enhance our urban environments, making them greener and more livable, which would yield numerous benefits.”
This recent initiative is part of a growing global campaign to establish boundaries in a rapidly evolving sector: technology that utilizes data from the brain and nervous system.
UNESCO has developed a set of international standards aimed at the ethical use of neurotechnology, a discipline often likened to “a bit of the Wild West.”
“We cannot control it,” stated Daphna Feinholz, UNESCO’s chief bioethics officer. “It is essential to educate people about the risks, potential advantages, and available alternatives so they can choose whether to proceed or not.”
Feinholz noted that the new guidelines were prompted by two significant trends in neurotechnology. One is artificial intelligence (AI), which presents immense potential for interpreting brain data, and the other is the rise in consumer neurotechnology products, like earphones and glasses that claim to monitor brain activity and track eye movements.
The standards introduce a new data category termed “neural data,” proposing guidelines for its safeguarding. A comprehensive list of over 100 recommendations addresses rights-based issues and even scenarios that currently seem to belong to the realm of science fiction, such as companies potentially using neurotechnology to target subconscious marketing in dreams.
“While neurotechnology could herald a new era of human advancement, it carries inherent risks,” remarked UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. She emphasized that the new standards will “entrench the inviolability of the human heart.”
Billions of dollars have been invested in neurotechnology ventures, from Sam Altman’s investment in August Labs to Merge Labs, a rival of Elon Musk’s Neuralink, and Meta’s recent foray into this field. There is also a wristband that enables users to operate their smartphones and AI Ray-Bans by interpreting wrist muscle movements.
Such investments have led to an increasing demand for regulatory measures. A report released by the World Economic Forum last month called for a privacy-centered framework. Following this, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer introduced the MIND Act in September, inspired by similar legislation from four states aimed at protecting “neural data” starting in 2024.
Advocates for neurotechnology regulation stress the critical importance of safeguarding personal information. UNESCO’s standards highlight the necessity of “mental privacy” and “freedom of thought.”
Nonetheless, some critics argue that legislative measures often stem from dystopian anxieties, potentially hindering meaningful medical progress.
“This bill is fueled by fear. People are concerned about the possibilities this technology brings. The notion of using neurotechnology to read minds is alarming,” commented Kristen Matthews, a mental privacy attorney at Cooley in the U.S.
Technologically speaking, neurotechnology has existed for over a century. For instance, brain waves (EEG) were first documented in 1924, and brain-computer interfaces emerged in the 1970s. Yet the latest surge in investment is likely propelled by advancements in AI that enable the interpretation of extensive data, including brain waves.
“The integration of AI is what has sparked privacy concerns surrounding this technology,” Matthews explained.
Certain AI-driven neurotechnology innovations could significantly transform medicine, aiding in the treatment of conditions from Parkinson’s disease to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
A study published this summer in *Nature* discusses an AI-enabled brain-computer interface capable of decoding sounds from paralyzed patients. Additional research suggests that it might one day be able to “read” your thoughts or at least reconstruct your images based on your focus.
The excitement surrounding some of these developments often generates fear that may not align with the actual risks involved, Matthews argued. For example, the MIND Act claims that “corporate vertical integration” of AI and neurotechnology could foster “cognitive manipulation” and undermine “individual autonomy.”
“I’m not aware of any companies engaging in such actions. It’s unlikely to happen, certainly not within the next 20 years,” she stated.
The current forefront of neurotechnology is enhancing brain-computer interfaces. With the advent of consumer devices, Matthews noted that they could provoke privacy issues that are central to UNESCO’s standards. However, she contends that the concept of “neural data” is too broad a strategy for addressing these concerns.
“This is the type of issue we wish to tackle: monetization, behavioral advertising, and the application of neural data. Yet the existing laws fail to grasp what we’re truly worried about. They’re too vague.”
Algal Bloom Devastates Fish Populations in South Australia
Australian Associated Press/Alamy
A vast and lethal algal bloom has wreaked havoc in South Australia over the past eight months, impacting over 20,000 square kilometers of marine habitat. An estimated 1 million animals from more than 550 species have perished, significantly affecting human health as well.
Researchers have recently pinpointed the species responsible for this ecological calamity, cautioning that it represents a “new international threat with unpredictable outcomes.”
The alarming agent is a type of algae known as Karenia cristata. Previously, it was documented only in two locales near South Africa, where it resulted in fish die-offs in 1989 and the mid-1990s, as well as off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
The research team has also identified a novel toxin released by K. cristata, which belongs to a group of compounds called brevetoxins. These toxins can inflict neurological harm on marine creatures, damage fish gills, and lead to fatalities in various species, including sea dragons, great white sharks, and dolphins. Brevetoxins pose a risk to humans via inhalation or ingestion.
Team member Shona Murray, a professor at the University of Technology Sydney, expressed concern among international colleagues regarding the implications of a new toxin-producing species potentially appearing in their waters.
“We are aware that this algal bloom has the capacity to proliferate in other parts of the world,” she cautions. “Previously, we underestimated its ability to create extensive and destructive blooms that could persist for eight months.
“Now we have confirmation, and it’s evident that it’s already occurring in other global regions; thus, I consider it an international threat.”
Satellite Image from August 13: High Concentrations of Yellow-Green Chlorophyll Indicate Algal Blooms Along South Australia’s Coastline
ESA
Murray and her research team noted that nearly 850 instances of harmful marine algal blooms have been documented worldwide from 1985 to 2025, with the recent South Australian event considered “one of the most severe and widespread” ever recorded globally.
The researchers have yet to determine the reason for such a vast and lethal bloom. The rising frequency of harmful blooms globally has been linked to increasing ocean temperatures, and the outbreak coincided with a significant marine heatwave, where water temperatures soared up to 3 degrees Celsius above normal. Nevertheless, the unexpected expansion of the blooms occurred after May 2025 when ocean temperatures began to decline.
K. cristata researchers emphasize the urgent need to comprehend the triggers for the bloom, noting that, given the right circumstances, it could impact numerous countries.
Christopher Keneally from the University of Adelaide points out that the dominant Karenia species previously identified, Karenia mikimotoi, is not known for producing brevetoxins. “There are numerous uncertainties regarding how the specific toxins produced by this species influence humans,” he states.
He concurs that the discovery raises concerns about potential new threats arising beyond Australia. “Given this species’ wide global distribution, it’s likely already present in small quantities in various coastal areas worldwide,” he adds. “As nutrient levels rise in many urbanized coastal regions and sea surface temperatures escalate, we can rightly predict that a variety of bloom-forming organisms will become increasingly prevalent.”
Global stock markets have seen a sharp decline as fears grow that the surge in valuations for artificial intelligence (AI) companies is losing steam.
U.S., Asian, and European markets all dropped following warnings from bank executives about a possible significant market correction, spurred by record highs that made several firms seem overvalued.
On Tuesday, the tech-centric Nasdaq and S&P 500 experienced their largest single-day drops in almost a month.
Tech stocks heavily influenced the Nasdaq’s decline, which closed down by 2%. The AI stocks of the “grand seven” companies—including Nvidia, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Alphabet (the parent company of Google), and Meta (the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp)—all recorded losses.
The S&P 500 faced setbacks primarily from tech stocks, notably Palantir, which saw an almost 8% decrease despite raising its earnings expectations just a day prior, ultimately finishing the session down by more than 1%.
Palantir has also found itself in the crosshairs of prominent short sellers who wager on a decline in its stock value.
Michael Burry, the investor renowned for predicting the 2008 financial crisis and inspiring the film The Big Short, has taken positions on two major AI firms, Palantir and Nvidia, drawing backlash from Palantir’s management and contributing to a drop in its stock price.
In a CNBC interview, Alex Karp, the CEO of Palantir, criticized Burry and other short sellers for attempting to “cast doubt on the AI revolution.”
Asian markets mirrored the decline experienced in the United States, suffering their largest drop in seven months amid concerns regarding tech stock performance, with Japanese and South Korean indexes falling over 5% from record highs reached just a day before. European markets in the U.K., France, and Germany also saw slight declines on Wednesday morning.
The market downturn follows cautionary statements from the CEOs of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs about a potential correction.
Their warnings echo concerns raised by Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank, who predicted in October that the market might crash within the next six months to two years.
“The chorus is getting louder,” stated Jim Reid, an analyst at Deutsche Bank. “We’re having discussions about whether we are on the verge of a stock price correction.”
“The last 24 hours have revealed a clear risk-off trend, as apprehensions regarding high valuations of tech companies have negatively impacted investor confidence,” Reid remarked.
Other analysts have raised doubts about investing in AI companies, noting that while substantial funding has been directed to a handful of tech firms, like OpenAI and Nvidia, the returns on investment thus far remain minimal.
Bitcoin prices briefly dipped below $100,000 (£76,764) for the first time since June, as investors divested from high-risk assets like cryptocurrencies due to economic uncertainty.
While Bitcoin hit a peak of over $126,000 in early October, it fell 3.7% throughout the month, marking its worst monthly performance in a decade, according to CoinMarketCap statistics.
Gaatha Sarvaiya enjoys sharing her artistic endeavors on social media. As a law graduate from India in her early 20s, she is at the outset of her professional journey, striving to attract public interest. However, the emergence of AI-driven deepfakes poses a significant threat, making it uncertain whether the images she shares will be transformed into something inappropriate or unsettling.
“I immediately considered, ‘Okay, maybe this isn’t safe. People could take our pictures and manipulate them,'” Sarvaiya, who resides in Mumbai, expresses.
“There is certainly a chilling effect,” notes Rohini Lakshane, a gender rights and digital policy researcher based in Mysore. He too refrains from posting photos of himself online. “Given how easily it can be exploited, I remain particularly cautious.”
However, a report released recently reveals that the growing usage of AI is generating formidable new avenues for harassment directed at women, according to data compiled by the Rati Foundation, which operates a national helpline for online abuse victims.
“Over the past three years, we’ve identified that a significant majority of AI-generated content is utilized to target women and sexual minorities,” the report, prepared by Tuttle, a company focused on curbing misinformation on social media in India, asserts.
The report highlights the increasing use of AI tools for digitally altering images and videos of women, including nudes and culturally sensitive content. While these images may be accepted in Western cultures, they are often rebuked in numerous Indian communities for their portrayal of public affection.
Indian singer Asha Bhosle (left) and journalist Rana Ayyub are victims of deepfake manipulations on social media. Photo: Getty
The findings indicated that approximately 10% of the numerous cases documented by the helpline involve such altered images. “AI significantly simplifies the creation of realistic-looking content,” the report notes.
There was a notable case where an Indian woman’s likeness was manipulated by an AI tool in a public location. Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle‘s image and voice were replicated using AI and distributed on YouTube. Journalist Rana Ayyub faced a campaign targeting her personal information last year, with deepfake sexual images appearing of her on social media.
These instances sparked widespread societal discussions, with some public figures like Bhosle asserting that they have successfully claimed legal rights concerning their voice and image. However, the broader implications for everyday women like Sarvaiya, who increasingly fear engaging online, are less frequently discussed.
“When individuals encounter online harassment, they often self-censor or become less active online as a direct consequence,” explains Tarunima Prabhakar, co-founder of Tattle. Her organization conducted focus group research for two years across India to gauge the societal impacts of digital abuse.
“The predominant emotion we identified is one of fatigue,” she remarks. “This fatigue often leads them to withdraw entirely from online platforms.”
In recent years, Sarvaiya and her peers have monitored high-profile deepfake abuse cases, including those of Ayyub and Bollywood actress Rashmika Mandanna. “It’s a bit frightening for women here,” she admits.
Currently, Sarvaiya is reluctant to share anything on social media and has opted to keep her Instagram account private. She fears this measure may not suffice to safeguard her. Women are sometimes captured in public places, such as subways, with their photos potentially surfacing online later.
“It’s not as prevalent as some might believe, but luck can be unpredictable,” she observes. “A friend of a friend is actually facing threats online.”
Lakshane mentions that she often requests not to be photographed at events where she speaks. Despite her precautions, she is mentally preparing for the possibility that a deepfake image or video of her could emerge. In the app, her profile image is an illustration of herself, rather than a photo.
“Women with a public platform, an online presence, and those who express political opinions face a significant risk of image misuse,” she highlights.
Rati’s report details how AI applications, such as “nudification” and nudity apps designed to remove clothing from images, have normalized behaviors that were once seen as extreme. In one reported case, a woman approached the helpline after her photo, originally submitted for a loan application, was misused for extortion.
“When she declined to continue payments, her uploaded photo was digitally altered with the nudify app and superimposed onto a pornographic image,” the report details.
This altered image, accompanied by her phone number, was circulated on WhatsApp, resulting in a flood of sexually explicit calls and messages from strangers. The woman expressed to the helpline that she felt “humiliated and socially stigmatized, as though I had ‘become involved in something sordid’.”
A fake video allegedly featuring Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman promoting a financial scheme. Photo: DAU Secretariat
In India, similar to many regions globally, deepfakes exist within a legal gray area. Although certain statutes may prohibit them, Rati’s report highlights existing laws in India that could apply to online harassment and intimidation, enabling women to report AI deepfakes as well.
“However, the process is often lengthy,” Sarvaiya shares, emphasizing that India’s legal framework is not adequately prepared to address issues surrounding AI deepfakes. “There is a significant amount of bureaucracy involved in seeking justice for what has occurred.”
A significant part of the problem lies with the platforms through which such images are disseminated, including YouTube, Meta, X, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Indian law enforcement agencies describe the process of compelling these companies to eliminate abusive content as “often opaque, resource-draining, inconsistent, and ineffective,” according to a report published by Equality Now, an organization advocating for women’s rights.
Meanwhile, Apple and Meta have recently responded accordingly. Rati’s report uncovers multiple instances where these platforms inadequately addressed online abuse, thereby exacerbating the spread of the nudify app.
Although WhatsApp did respond in the extortion scenario, the action was deemed “insufficient” since the altered images had already proliferated across the internet, Rati indicated. In another instance, an Instagram creator in India was targeted by a troll who shared nude clips, yet Instagram only reacted after “persistent efforts” and with a “delayed and inadequate” response.
The report indicates that victims reporting harassment on these platforms often go unheard, prompting them to reach out to helplines. Furthermore, even when accounts disseminating abusive material are removed, such content tends to resurface, a phenomenon Rati describes as “content recidivism.”
“One persistent characteristic of AI abuse is its tendency to proliferate: it is easily produced, broadly shared, and repeated multiple times,” Rati states. Confronting this issue “will necessitate much greater transparency and data accessibility from the platforms themselves.”
Global investments in artificial intelligence are yielding remarkable figures, with approximately $3 trillion (£2.3 trillion) allocated to data centers.
These immense facilities serve as the backbone for AI applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Veo 3, driving the training and functioning of technologies that have attracted billions from investors.
Although there are worries that the AI boom might lead to a bubble poised to burst, indicators of such a downturn are currently absent. Recently, Nvidia, a Silicon Valley AI chip manufacturer, became the first company to reach a valuation of $5 trillion, while Microsoft and Apple each hit a $4 trillion valuation for the first time, marking a historic moment. OpenAI’s restructuring now appraises it at $500 billion, with Microsoft’s investment exceeding $100 billion. Projections suggest a potential $1 trillion surge as early as next year.
Moreover, Google’s parent company Alphabet announced $100 billion in revenue for a single quarter, driven by an increasing demand for AI infrastructure. Apple and Amazon also recently reported robust results.
Trust in AI extends beyond the financial sector; local communities housing the AI infrastructure are equally invested.
In the 19th century, the demand for coal and steel determined Newport’s trajectory. Today, Welsh towns are looking forward to a fresh era of growth generated by the latest global economic transformation.
At the site of a former radiator factory on the outskirts of Newport, Microsoft is constructing a data center to cater to the tech industry’s increasing demand for AI.
Microsoft is constructing a data center at Imperial Park near Newport, Wales. Photo: Dimitris Regakis/Athena Pictures
While standing on the concrete floor where thousands of buzzing servers will soon be installed, Dimitri Batrouni, the Labour leader of Newport City Council, remarked that the Imperial Park data center represents an opportunity to delve into the economy of the future.
“In a city like mine, what should we do? Should we dwell on the past in hopes of reviving the steel industry and bringing back 10,000 jobs? That’s not feasible. Or should we embrace the future?” he stated.
Yet, despite the current optimistic outlook regarding AI, uncertainties linger concerning the sustainability of spending in the tech sector.
The top four players in the AI industry (Amazon, Meta, Google, and Microsoft) are ramping up their AI spending. Over the upcoming two years, they are expected to invest more than $750 billion in AI-related capital expenditures, covering not just data centers and staff, but also the chips and servers they contain.
This expenditure is highlighted by the American investment firm Manning & Napier, which describes it as “nothing too remarkable.” The Newport facility alone could demand hundreds of millions of dollars. Recently, Equinix, based in California, announced intentions to invest £4 billion in a central hub in Hertfordshire.
Joe Tsai, chairman of the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, cautioned in March that the data center market was beginning to exhibit signs of oversupply. “We’re starting to observe the early stages of a potential bubble,” he commented, referencing projects that finance constructions without securing commitments from prospective clients.
There are already 11,000 data centers globally, representing a 500% increase over the past two decades, and more are on the horizon. The means of funding this expansion raises concerns.
Analysts from Morgan Stanley predict that worldwide spending on data centers will approach $3 trillion by 2028, with $1.4 trillion of that anticipated from cash flow generated by large US tech firms known as “hyperscalers.”
Consequently, $1.5 trillion will need to be sourced from alternative means, such as private credit, which has been increasingly scrutinized by institutions like the Bank of England. Morgan Stanley estimates that private credit could cover more than half of the funding shortfall. Meta Inc. utilized private credit markets to raise $29 billion for an expansion of a data center in Louisiana.
Gil Luria, the head of technology research at DA Davidson, described investments in hyperscalers as a “healthy” aspect of the current boom, while labeling the remainder as “speculative assets devoid of customers.”
He noted that the debt being utilized could lead to repercussions extending beyond the tech sector if the situation deteriorates.
“Providers of this debt are so eager to invest in AI that they may not have adequately assessed the risks associated with a new and unproven category reliant on assets that depreciate quickly,” he indicated.
“We are in the initial phase of this influx of debt capital, but if it escalates to hundreds of billions of dollars, it could ultimately present structural risks to the global economy.”
The $500 billion Stargate project in Abilene, Texas, involves a collaboration between OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. Photo: Daniel Cole/Reuters
Supporting this expenditure are heightened revenue forecasts from Morgan Stanley, which estimates that income generated from AI innovations such as chatbots, AI agents, and image generators could grow to $1 trillion by 2028 from $45 billion last year. To substantiate these revenue projections, tech firms are counting on enterprises, the public sector, and individual users to generate sufficient demand for AI and fund it.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a landmark product of the AI wave, currently boasts 800 million weekly active users. This statistic is a boon for optimists. However, concerns have arisen regarding user acquisition. For instance, investor confidence in the AI surge took a hit in August when the Massachusetts Institute of Technology released a study indicating that 95% of organizations reported zero return on investment from generative AI projects.
According to the Uptime Institute, which inspects and evaluates data centers, many projects go unconstructed, suggesting that some are part of a hype cycle and fail to materialize.
“It is crucial to understand that much of this is speculative,” stated Andy Lawrence, the Uptime Institute’s executive director of research. “Frequently, many data centers announced with great excitement are either never built or are only partially constructed and developed progressively over a ten-year span.”
He further added that numerous data centers unveiled as part of this multitrillion-dollar initiative “will be specifically designed for or primarily intended to support AI workloads.”
Microsoft has pointed out that its Newport data center will not solely serve AI. Data centers form the core for AI systems like ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot but also cater to everyday IT tasks many take for granted (like managing email traffic, storing company files, and supporting Zoom calls) as providers of “cloud” services, where companies lease servers rather than purchasing them outright.
“The infrastructure has multiple applications, making it highly versatile,” explained Alistair Speirs, general manager of Microsoft’s cloud operations.
However, various large-scale projects are completely committing to AI. The US Stargate initiative is a $500 billion partnership among OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, with plans to establish a network of AI data centers throughout the U.S. A British counterpart will also be set up in North Tyneside, in the northeast of England. Microsoft is constructing the most powerful AI data center in Fairview, Wisconsin, and is backing a dedicated AI site in Laughton, Essex, while Elon Musk’s xAI is developing a colossal project in Memphis, Tennessee.
Construction of an estimated 10GW of new data center capacity worldwide—equivalent to around a third of the UK’s electricity demand—is expected to commence this year, as reported by the property group JLL. However, this represents total maximum capacity, as data centers generally operate around 60% of their capacity.
JLL projects another 7GW will be completed this year.
The growth rate is swift, with current global data center capacity standing at 59GW, and Goldman Sachs forecasting capacity will double by the end of 2030. This expansion will elevate the costs related to the infrastructure, necessitating $720 billion in grid investments to satisfy that energy demand, according to Goldman.
Mike O’Connell, a construction safety specialist from Newport, has returned as a consultant at the Newport facility. With a career spanning oil rigs, offshore wind farms, and data centers globally, he returned to his hometown, now a tech hub filled with data centers and semiconductor firms.
“My aim is to remain within my local community,” he stated. Mr. O’Connell’s teenage grandson is embarking on his career at the Newport site as an electrical apprentice. There is optimism that such a data center will offer generational employment opportunities for the area.
Investors and tech giants are committing trillions of dollars in investments with hopes for long-term returns.
Nexperia, the automotive semiconductor manufacturer based in the EU and at the heart of the geopolitical tensions, has stopped all supplies to its factories in China, intensifying a trade war that risks shuttering production for automakers globally.
This week, the company communicated with its clients about the suspension of all supplies to its Chinese facility.
In September, the Netherlands utilized national security legislation to take control of the semiconductor maker due to fears that its Chinese owner, Wingtech Technologies, intended to transfer intellectual property to another affiliated company. The Dutch authorities stated: Threatened the future of Europe’s chip production capacity and subsequently dismissed Wingtech Chairman Zhang Xuezheng as CEO.
In retaliation, China ceased exports from all Nexperia factories and warned that this embargo could lead to the closure of production lines at EU car manufacturers within days.
The continuing lockdown jeopardizes the supply chain, as numerous Nexperia products produced in Europe—including wafers used to manufacture chips—were typically sent to factories in China for packaging and distribution.
Nexperia’s interim CEO, Stephen Tilger, stated on Sunday that shipments to its Dongguan factory in Guangdong province have been halted due to a “direct result of local management’s recent failure to comply with agreed contractual payment terms,” according to excerpts first released by Reuters.
Nexperia remains optimistic about resuming shipments and is hoping to de-escalate the situation. A source familiar with the developments indicated that shipments might recommence once contractual payments are made. Additionally, the company will continue sending products to its Malaysian facility, which is smaller than the Chinese one.
Automakers are expressing concerns over potential disruptions caused by shortages of crucial components essential for modern vehicles.
The automotive sector faced severe semiconductor shortages following the coronavirus pandemic, but it was not Nexperia’s lower-cost power control chips that were impacted—it was more advanced chips. The company usually ships over 100 billion items annually, utilized in various applications from airbags and adjustable seating to side mirrors and central locking.
Nissan Motor Co. announced this week that it has sufficient chips to last until early November, while competitor Honda reported halting production at its Mexican facility. Mercedes-Benz described its situation as “manageable” in the short term, yet is exploring alternatives. Volkswagen suggested that its annual profit goals could be compromised without adequate chip supply.
Conversely, Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, informed reporters at an auto show in Tokyo on Friday that it is not experiencing significant supply challenges, even though production might ultimately be affected.
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčović aims to initiate further discussions with Chinese officials following meetings in Brussels with both Chinese and EU representatives to address the export ban on Nexperia and restrictions on rare earth minerals supply.
Additionally, on the same day, the bloc’s technical commissioner Hena Virkunen met with Nexperia’s interim leader after discussions with European chip manufacturers Infineon, ST, and NXP the previous day.
Post-meeting, he noted that discussions with Nexperia underscored the EU’s necessity for new tipping laws as three lessons identified from the ongoing crisis: enhanced visibility of chip inventory in the pipeline, the importance of investing in chip supply despite costs, and the need for reserve inventories.
“Diversifying stockpiles and supplies is crucial to our collective resilience,” she stated.
The German Automotive Industry Association (VDA) expressed concern on Thursday that without a swift resolution to the situation at Nexperia, it could lead to “significant production restrictions and even suspensions in the near future.”
Businesses in the UK are likely to be impacted as well. Nexperia manufactures some of its chip wafers at a plant established by Dutch company Philips in Manchester.
Previously, Nexperia owned another factory in south Wales but was blocked by the UK government from completing its acquisition of the Newport wafer factory due to national security concerns, given its ultimate Chinese ownership. Subsequently, US semiconductor firm Vishay Intertechnology acquired the factory in November 2023.
Wingtech has yet to respond to requests for comments.
On Thursday, Apple unveiled its quarterly results following the introduction of its new iPhone models, surpassing analysts’ forecasts on Wall Street. The company demonstrated solid financial growth and robust profits, even amidst a sluggish progression in artificial intelligence. This report comes shortly after Apple achieved a market capitalization of $4 trillion for the first time.
“We are thrilled to announce a record revenue of $102.5 billion for the September quarter, featuring unprecedented revenue from both the iPhone and our services division,” stated Apple CEO Tim Cook. Despite the encouraging overall iPhone sales, the revenue generated from smartphone sales in China did not meet Wall Street’s expectations.
Cook also anticipates a revenue growth of 10% to 12% for the quarter ending in December, which is typically Apple’s peak growth period.
The launch of new iPhones, particularly the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, has rekindled demand for Apple products, notably in China, where sales have been underwhelming. There is ongoing speculation regarding the demand for the ultra-slim iPhone Air, with analysts divided on whether production has been decreased.
“Although the market is predominantly focused on AI adoption and monetization, Apple has demonstrated that its traditional strategy continues to yield results this quarter, fueled by substantial sales growth in core products and services, alongside a stronger global economy than anticipated,” commented Thomas Monteiro, senior analyst at Investing.com.
Apple recorded a revenue of $102.47 billion, reflecting an 8% year-on-year increase, surpassing the analyst expectation of $102.24 billion. Additionally, the company exceeded expectations for revenue from “other products” and services. However, iPhone sales amounted to $49.03 billion, slightly under the estimated $50.19 billion. Apple’s shares saw a modest rise in after-hours trading.
John Belton, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, attributed the optimistic forecast to climbing iPhone sales and increased prices for the latest models. “The standout data point from Apple’s last earnings report was iPhone sales,” noted Belton. “Double-digit growth signifies the strongest iPhone growth in three years.
Despite this robust revenue, Apple trails behind other tech firms in rolling out AI products. The company has yet to launch any AI offerings to rival those by Meta, Google, and Microsoft. Furthermore, Apple faces challenges due to the varying tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump on China and India, where a large portion of its manufacturing occurs.
Nonetheless, Apple’s stock price has increased over recent weeks, consequently boosting its market cap and placing it among only three companies globally valued at over $4 trillion, alongside Nvidia and Microsoft.
Apple’s stock has surged more than 50% since its lows in April, with analysts attributing the rise to the introduction of the company’s new products. Alongside the iPhone 17, Apple also unveiled new AirPod earbuds featuring live translation capabilities and upgrades to its Apple Watch lineup.
This week, Apple will be joined by other leading tech giants—Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet—as they report their earnings while the overall U.S. stock market reaches unprecedented highs. While Microsoft and Alphabet showcased strong results on Wednesday, Meta Inc. reported more mixed outcomes, resulting in a dip in stock prices.
Images generated by AI depicting extreme poverty, children, and survivors of sexual violence are increasingly populating stock photo platforms and are being utilized by prominent health NGOs, according to global health specialists who raise alarms over a shift towards what they term “poverty porn.”
“They are widespread,” shares Noah Arnold from Fair Picture, a Switzerland-based organization dedicated to fostering ethical imagery in global development. “Some organizations are actively employing AI visuals, while others are experimenting cautiously.”
Arseni Alenichev, researcher states, “The images replicate the visual lexicon of poverty: children with empty plates, cracked earth, and other typical visuals,” as noted by researchers at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp specializing in global health imagery.
Alenichev has amassed over 100 AI-generated images depicting extreme poverty intended for individuals and NGOs to use in social media initiatives against hunger and sexual violence. The visuals he provided to the Guardian reflect scenes that perpetuate exaggerated stereotypes, such as an African girl dressed in a wedding gown with tears on her cheeks. In a comment article published Thursday, he argues that these images represent “poverty porn 2.0”.
While quantifying the prevalence of AI-generated images is challenging, Alenichev and his team believe their usage is rising, driven by concerns regarding consent and financial constraints. Arnold mentioned that budget cuts to NGO funding in the U.S. exacerbate the situation.
“It’s evident organizations are beginning to consider synthetic images in place of real photographs because they are more affordable and eliminate the need for consent or other complications,” Alenichev explained.
AI-generated visuals depicting extreme poverty are now appearing abundantly on popular stock photo websites, including Adobe Stock Photography and Freepik when searching for terms like “poverty.” Many of these images carry captions such as “Realistic child in refugee camp,” and “Children in Asia swim in garbage-filled rivers.” Adobe’s licensing fees for such images are approximately £60.
“They are deeply racist. They should never have been published as they reflect the worst stereotypes about Africa, India, and more,” Alenichev asserted.
Freepik’s CEO Joaquín Abela stated that the accountability for usage of these extreme images falls upon media consumers rather than platforms like his. He pointed out that the AI-generated stock photos come from the platform’s global user base, and if an image is purchased by a Freepik customer, that user community earns a licensing fee.
He added that Freepik is attempting to mitigate bias present elsewhere in its photo library by “introducing diversity” and striving for gender balance in images of professionals like lawyers and CEOs featured on the site.
However, he acknowledged limitations in what can be achieved on his platform. “It’s akin to drying the ocean. We make efforts, but the reality is that if consumers worldwide demand images in a specific manner, there’s little anyone can do.”
A screen capture of an AI-generated image of “poverty” on a stock photo site, raising concerns about biased depictions and stereotypes.
Illustration: Freepik
Historically, prominent charities have integrated AI-generated images into their global health communication strategies. In 2023, the Dutch branch of the British charity Plan International will launch a video campaign against child marriage featuring AI-generated images including that of a girl with black eyes, an elderly man, and a pregnant teenager.
Last year, the United Nations released a video that showcased the AI-generated testimony of a Burundian woman who was raped and left for dead in 1993 amidst the civil war. This video was removed after The Guardian reached out to the UN for a statement.
“The video in question was produced over a year ago utilizing rapidly advancing tools and was taken down because we perceived it to demonstrate inappropriate use of AI, potentially jeopardizing the integrity of the information by blending real footage with nearly authentic, artificially generated content,” remarked a UN peacekeeping spokesperson.
“The United Nations remains dedicated to supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, including through innovative and creative advocacy.”
Arnold commented that the rising reliance on these AI images is rooted in a long-standing discussion concerning ethical imagery and respectful storytelling concerning poverty and violence. “It’s likely simpler to procure an off-the-shelf AI visual, as it’s not tied to any real individual.”
Kate Kaldle, a communications consultant for NGOs, expressed her disgust at the images, recalling previous conversations about the concept of “poverty porn” in the sector.
“It’s unfortunate that the struggle for more ethical representation of those experiencing poverty has become unrealistic,” she lamented.
Generative AI tools have long been known to reproduce—and at times exaggerate—widely-held societal biases. Alenichev mentioned that this issue could be intensified by the presence of biased images in global health communications, as such images can circulate across the internet and ultimately be used to train the next wave of AI models, which has been shown to exacerbate prejudice.
A spokesperson for Plan International noted that as of this year, the NGO has “adopted guidance advising against the use of AI to portray individual children,” and that their 2023 campaign employed AI-generated images to maintain “the privacy and dignity of real girls.”
A significant internet disruption has impacted numerous websites and applications globally, with users experiencing difficulties connecting to the internet due to issues with Amazon’s cloud computing service.
The affected services include Snapchat, Roblox, Signal, and Duolingo, along with various Amazon-owned enterprises, including major retail platforms and the Ring doorbell company.
In the UK, Lloyds Bank and its associated brands, Halifax Bank and Bank of Scotland, were impacted, with HM Revenue & Customs also facing challenges accessing their website on Monday morning. Additionally, Ring users in the UK reported non-functioning doorbells on social media.
In the UK alone, there were tens of thousands of reports concerning issues with individual applications across various platforms. Other affected services include Wordle, Coinbase, Slack, Pokémon Go, Epic Games, PlayStation Network, and Peloton.
By 10:30am UK time, Amazon indicated that the issues, which began around 8am, were being addressed, as AWS showed “significant signs of recovery.” At 11 a.m., they confirmed that global services linked to US-EAST-1 had also been restored.
Amazon reported that the problems originated from Amazon Web Services on the East Coast of the U.S. AWS, which is a division providing essential web infrastructure and renting out server space, is the largest cloud computing platform worldwide.
Shortly after midnight (8am BST) in the U.S., Amazon acknowledged “increased error rates and latencies” for its AWS services in the East Coast region. This issue seems to have caused a worldwide ripple effect, as the Downdetector site logged problems from multiple continents.
Cisco’s Thousand Eyes service track internet outages reported a surge in problems on Monday morning, particularly in Virginia, where Amazon’s US-East-1 region is based, noting that AWS confirmed the start of the issues.
Leif Pilling, director of threat intelligence at cybersecurity firm Sophos, stated that the outage seems to be an IT-related issue rather than a cyberattack. The AWS Online Health Dashboard identified problems with DynamoDB, a database system facilitating data access for websites.
“During events like this, it’s natural for concerns of a cyber incident to arise,” he noted. “Given AWS’s extensive and complex footprint, any issue can trigger considerable disruption. It appears that this incident originates from an IT problem on the database side, which AWS prioritizes resolving promptly.”
Dr. Colin Cass Speth, head of digital at human rights organization Article 19, pointed out that the outage underscores the risks of concentrating digital infrastructure in the hands of a few providers.
“There is an urgent need to diversify cloud computing. The infrastructure supporting democratic discourse, independent journalism, and secure communication should not rely solely on a handful of companies,” she stated.
The British government reported that it was in touch with Amazon concerning the internet disruption on Monday.
A spokesperson remarked: “We are aware of an incident affecting Amazon Web Services and several online services dependent on its infrastructure. Through our established incident response structure, we are in communication and working to restore services as quickly as possible.”
This was the day SolarWinds, a software company, learned it had been hacked by Russia.
As the chief information security officer, Brown quickly grasped the impact. The hack could potentially affect any of the company’s more than 300,000 customers globally.
The breach enabled hackers to remotely access systems of customers using SolarWinds’ Orion networking software, which included the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and numerous businesses and public organizations.
Brown mentioned he was “running on adrenaline” during the initial days following the breach.
Amid full-time remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company’s email system was compromised, rendering it unusable for internal communication.
“We stopped taking calls, and everyone came into the office for COVID-19 testing,” Brown recalled. “I lost 25 pounds in about 20 days. I just kept going.”
He has been featured on CNN and 60 Minutes, along with major newspapers.
“The world is on fire. We’re working to inform people about what is secure and what isn’t.”
Brown indicated the company moved to Proton email and Signal during the email breach, as he received calls from companies and government entities worldwide, including the U.S. military and the COVID-19 vaccine initiative, Operation Warp Speed.
“People prefer spoken communication to written communication. That’s a crucial lesson. You can document things, but people want personal interaction,” said Brown during a talk at Cybercon in Melbourne.
“They want to hear the nuances, so it’s vital to be ready for that kind of response.”
How did the cyberattack unfold?
The notification of the breach came via a call from Kevin Mandia, the founder of cybersecurity firm Mandiant, to SolarWinds’ then-CEO, Kevin Thompson.
Mandia informed Thompson that SolarWinds had “shipped contaminated code” within its Orion software, which aids organizations in monitoring their networks and servers for outages.
According to Mandia, the exploits in Orion were utilized to infiltrate government agencies.
“What you can see from that code is that it wasn’t ours, so we realized right away this was serious,” Brown recalled.
Brown stated that SolarWinds was not the main target of the hack but served as a “conduit to it.” Photo: Sean Davey/The Guardian
The Texas-based company discovered that 18,000 people had downloaded the contaminated product, and hackers, later attributed to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, managed to inject it into Orion’s build environment where the source code is converted into software.
The news broke on a Sunday, and SolarWinds released the announcement before the stock market opened on Monday.
Initial estimates suggested that as many as 18,000 customers might be impacted, which later adjusted down to approximately 100 government agencies and businesses that were truly affected.
“I wish I had known that on the first day, but that’s the reality,” Brown says. “We weren’t specifically the target; we were merely a gateway to it.”
SolarWinds enlisted the help of CrowdStrike, KPMG, and law firm DLA Piper to respond and investigate.
Aftermath: heart attack
For the next six months, SolarWinds suspended the development of new features and redirected its team of 400 engineers to focus on systems and security to restore the company’s stability.
“We prioritized transparency—how can we ensure people understand what threats there are, how those actors operate, how they gather information, how they execute attacks, and how they withdraw?”
Brown noted that the company’s customer renewal rate dropped to around 80% in the aftermath but has since risen back to over 98%.
However, legal consequences soon followed.
In 2021, the Biden administration enacted sanctions and expelled Russian diplomats in response to the attack.
In 2022, SolarWinds settled a class action suit related to the incident for $26 million. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) initiated a lawsuit against SolarWinds and Brown personally in October 2023, alleging that the company and Brown misled investors regarding cybersecurity measures and failed to disclose known vulnerabilities.
Mr. Brown has remained with SolarWinds since the cyberattack. Photo: Sean Davey/The Guardian
Brown was in Zurich when he became aware of the charges.
“As I ascended a hill, I felt out of breath, my arms were heavy, and my chest was tight—I wasn’t getting enough oxygen,” he recalled. “I made a poor decision and flew home. I couldn’t walk from the terminal to my car without pausing; it was a journey I had made countless times.”
He was experiencing a heart attack. Upon returning home, his wife took him to the hospital for surgery, after which he recovered.
“The stress continued to mount, leading me to think I was handling it well without proactively visiting a doctor,” he explained.
Now, Brown is advocating for companies facing similar crises to engage psychiatrists to assist employees in managing stress.
“My stress levels were at a peak, and I was really close to the edge, though the pressure had been building for a while.”
A proposed confidential settlement with the SEC was announced in July but still awaits approval. The finalization of the agreement has faced delays due to the U.S. government shutdown.
Mr. Brown has remained with SolarWinds throughout this entire ordeal.
“This happened on my watch, and that’s how I perceive it. There are factors that contributed, like a state-sponsored attack, but it still occurred under my supervision,” he reflected.
“I admit I can be stubborn, but it was paramount for us to navigate this entire process, and leaving before it was resolved wasn’t an option.”
Spotify has revealed a collaboration with the globe’s largest music enterprise to create “responsible” artificial intelligence tools that honor artists’ copyrights.
The leading music streaming service is teaming up with major labels Sony, Universal, and Warner to develop innovative AI solutions, featuring renowned artists like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift.
While Spotify has yet to disclose specifics about the new product, the company assures that artists will not be compelled to participate and that copyright protections will be upheld.
In a blog post announcing the partnership, Spotify pointedly referenced the radical views on copyright present in some segments of the tech industry. Ongoing tensions have already prompted three major labels to initiate lawsuits against AI companies that offer tools for generating music from user input.
“Some in the tech sector advocate for the elimination of copyright,” Spotify stated. “We do not. Artist rights are important. Copyrights are vital. Without leadership from the music industry, AI-driven innovations will occur elsewhere, lacking rights, consent, and fair compensation.”
Copyright, a legal protection preventing unauthorized use of one’s work, has become a contentious issue between creative sectors and technology firms. The tech industry often utilizes publicly accessible copyrighted material to build AI tools, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude.
Three key music companies are suing two AI music startups, Udio and Suno, for alleged copyright violations, alongside similar legal actions in other creative domains. Both Udio and Suno maintain that their technology aims to generate original music rather than replicate the works of specific artists.
Universal Music Group’s head, Sir Lucian Grainge, indicated in a memo to staff that the label will seek approval from artists before licensing their voices or songs to AI firms.
One notorious music deepfake emerged in 2023: “Heart on My Sleeve,” featuring AI-generated vocals by Drake and The Weeknd, was removed from streaming platforms after Universal criticized it as infringing on rights related to AI-generated content.
With 276 million paid subscribers, Spotify also announced the establishment of an advanced generative AI research laboratory to create “innovative experiences” for fans and artists. The company from Stockholm stated that these products will open new revenue avenues for artists and songwriters, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their work while also providing clarity regarding their contributions.
In conjunction with its AI initiative, Spotify is also collaborating with Merlin, a digital rights organization for independent labels, and Believe, a French digital music label. Currently, Spotify employs AI to curate playlists and create customized DJs.
Leaders from the three prominent companies welcomed the agreement, with Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer noting that this would necessitate direct licensing of artists’ work prior to introducing new products. Universal’s Grainge expressed his desire for a “thriving commercial ecosystem” in which both the music and tech industries can prosper. Warner Music Group’s Robert Kinkle voiced support for Spotify’s “considerate AI regulations.”
A small robotic submarine embarks on its inaugural round-the-world journey. On October 11, New Jersey’s Teledyne Marine, in collaboration with Rutgers University-New Brunswick, will launch an underwater glider named Redwing from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, as part of its Sentinel mission.
Researchers have utilized underwater gliders since the 1990s. Unlike traditional submarines, the glider employs a buoyancy engine, which utilizes a gas-filled piston to alter its buoyancy. An electric motor moves the piston, increasing the glider’s weight to allow it to sink gradually at a gentle angle. Once it reaches around 1000 meters deep, the piston retracts, enabling the glider to ascend. This method results in a slow and steady path as it navigates its intended route. Although there is an auxiliary propeller available for use, the objective is to rely on the buoyancy mechanism.
“Redwing will harness the currents rather than fight against them, maintaining an average speed of 0.75 knots, just shy of 1 mph,” says Shea Quinn, who heads the Sentinel missions at Teledyne Marine.
Measuring 2.57 meters in length—similar to a surfboard—and weighing 171 kilograms, the Redwing boasts a robust design featuring ample batteries that enhance its durability for prolonged missions.
“The ambitious Sentinel mission is projected to complete its orbit within approximately five years,” states Brian Maguire from Teledyne Marine. Throughout the journey, Redwing will operate independently, relaying information to engineers from Teledyne Webb Institute and students from Rutgers University via satellite. Mission Control will adjust the glider’s course bi-daily to ensure it adheres to its flight itinerary. Maguire mentioned that battery replacement may be necessary during the five-year expedition.
The Redwing follows the route of explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe from 1519 to 1522, which included stops in Gran Canaria, Cape Town, Western Australia, New Zealand, the Falkland Islands, and possibly Brazil, ultimately returning to Cape Cod after covering 73,000 kilometers.
These gliders are invaluable for conducting long-distance research missions without requiring costly support vessels, thus playing a crucial role in gathering data essential for understanding climate change. Redwing is equipped with various instruments to monitor ocean currents and temperatures in lesser-known waters.
“We believe this to be the most sustained open-ocean sampling mission ever undertaken,” claims Maguire.
Past glider missions have achieved significant milestones, including crossing the Atlantic in 2009 and the Pacific in 2011, traversing regions like the Ross Ice Shelf that are typically unreachable. “Gliders are excellent tools for acquiring data in perilous conditions, such as during storms or hurricanes, or near melting glaciers,” explains Karen Heywood from the University of East Anglia, UK. The primary hazards to the mission include fishing nets and shipping routes rather than adverse weather; “Gliders are quite resilient and can endure harsh winds and tumultuous seas,” she added.
Alexander Phillips from the UK’s National Marine Center underscores that gliders also face challenges from marine life and biofouling—where algae and other organisms accumulate on their surfaces, which can impair functionality. “Biofouling may cause marine organisms to cling to the glider, making it non-operational. Additionally, these gliders have occasionally been lost to shark attacks or due to mishaps during transport or fishing.”
Data collected from the mission will be distributed to universities, schools, and other organizations worldwide, with the primary goal of showcasing the glider’s capabilities and inspiring future research endeavors.
As young individuals enter the job market, they are encountering what some are calling an “employment apocalypse.” This is due to business leaders opting to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) over new hires, as revealed in a survey of global executives.
A report by the British Standards Institute (BSI) indicated that rather than nurturing junior employees, employers are focusing on AI automation to bridge skill gaps and enable layoffs.
In a study involving over 850 business leaders from seven countries—namely the UK, US, France, Germany, Australia, China, and Japan—41% of respondents reported that AI has facilitated a reduction in their workforce.
Nearly a third (31%) stated their organizations are considering AI solutions before hiring new talent, with two-fifths planning to do so in the next five years.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by Gen Z workers (born from 1997 to 2012) in a cooling labor market, a quarter of executives believe that AI could perform all or most tasks currently handled by entry-level staff.
Susan Taylor-Martin, CEO of BSI, commented: “AI offers significant opportunities for companies worldwide. However, as firms strive for enhanced productivity and efficiency, we must remember that humans ultimately drive progress.
“Our findings show that balancing the benefits of AI with supporting the workforce is a key challenge of this era. Alongside our AI investments, long-term thinking and workforce development are crucial for sustainable and productive employment.”
Additionally, 39% of leaders reported that entry-level roles have already been diminished or eliminated due to the efficiencies gained from AI in tasks like research and administration.
More than half of the respondents expressed relief that they commenced their careers before AI became prevalent, yet 53% felt that the advantages of AI in their organizations outweigh the disruptions to the workforce.
UK businesses are rapidly embracing AI, with 76% of leaders anticipating that new tools will yield tangible benefits within the next year.
Executives noted that the primary motivations behind AI investments are to enhance productivity and efficiency, cut costs, and address skills gaps.
An analysis from BSI of companies’ annual reports revealed that the term ‘automation’ appeared almost seven times more frequently than ‘upskilling’ or ‘retraining.’
Additionally, a recent poll from the Trades Union Congress found that half of British adults are apprehensive about AI’s impact on their jobs, fearing that AI may displace them.
Recent months have seen the UK’s job market cool, with wage growth decelerating and the unemployment rate rising to 4.7%, the highest in four years. Nevertheless, most economists attribute this not to a surge in AI investments.
Conversely, there are worries that the inflated valuations of AI companies could spark a stock market bubble, potentially leading to a market crash.
Oil corporations are making minimal investments in wind energy.
Associated Press/Alamy
Significant oil and gas firms hold under 1.5 percent of the global renewable electricity capacity, raising concerns about their dedication to green energy transition, despite their public assertions.
Marcel Llabero Pasquina and Antonio Bontempi, researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, analyzed ownership data of over 53,000 renewable energy projects—including wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal—tracked by the NGO Global Energy Monitor. They compiled this information to determine the proportion of these projects owned by the 250 largest oil and gas companies, which together dominate 88% of global hydrocarbon production.
As the world shifts away from fossil fuels, many chief energy companies have committed to investing in renewables, yet findings indicated that these top firms own merely 1.42% of operational renewable energy capacity worldwide. Notably, more than half (around 54%) of this capacity was acquired rather than developed by these companies. Their analysis of total energy output showed that just 0.13% of energy produced by these companies comes from renewable electricity.
“The findings were astonishing even to me,” remarks Llabero-Pasquina. “We understood they played a limited role in the energy transition. We thought it was merely for appearances. Yet, the numbers are even lower than we anticipated.”
Llavero Pasquina and Bontempi are associated with Environmental Justice, a collective dedicated to researching and advancing the global environmental justice movement. Llabero-Pasquina believes that the campaign’s stance bolsters his research. “It is crucial for us to maintain high rigor in our work so that we can effectively persuade others and demonstrate the truth.”
It is not surprising that major energy corporations, renowned for their oil and gas ventures, do not hold substantial stakes in renewable energy, says Thierry Bros from the Institute of Sciences in Paris. “Ultimately, [the energy transition] must be disruptive and not play into the hands of these companies.”
However, Bros argues that big energy firms are misleadingly portraying their efforts towards energy transition. “They represent themselves as incorporating methods like carbon capture for emissions from fossil fuels. Yet, I believe their actual engagement leans more towards carbon capture and sequestration, which may extend beyond their genuine expertise,” he states.
Offshore Energies UK, representing the UK’s offshore energy sector, including oil, gas, wind, carbon capture, and hydrogen, refrained from commenting directly on these findings. Nevertheless, it highlighted a previous statement from CEO David Whitehouse: “Rather than being in conflict, oil and gas, wind, and emerging low-carbon technologies form a unified system. The expertise of our workforce, the same individuals who developed the North Sea, is instrumental for achieving this transition,” he remarked.
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Recent global assessments of the food system reveal that fewer than 1% of individuals consume diets beneficial to both the planet and human health.
Nevertheless, adopting a healthier dietary approach could prevent up to 15 million premature deaths annually and could decrease global greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 20%.
The findings are part of a 2025 Report by the Eat-Lancet Committee, which consolidates insights from nutritionists, climate experts, economists, physicians, social scientists, and agricultural scholars from over 35 countries.
The research team evaluated the effects of current food systems on human health and the environment, concluding that food production poses risks to five crucial Earth systems that are essential for human survival.
These five critical threats include climate change, land degradation, water scarcity, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and human-induced contaminants like pesticides and microplastics.
However, transforming the food system to ensure healthy diets for everyone could restore these systems to a safe state and enhance human well-being.
“If everyone adopts a healthy diet, by 2050, 100 billion people could sustain themselves on 7% less land than what is currently utilized,” stated Dr. Fabrice Declerck, EAT’s Chief Science Officer, in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “This has never happened in the history of food production. We have very few resources needed to feed more individuals.”
Justice was a significant aspect of the report, emphasizing the need for equitable wages for food workers and fairer access to food resources – Credit: Anuchasiribisanwan via Getty
Scientists have estimated that 6.9 billion individuals consume excessive amounts of food, particularly meat, dairy, sugar, and ultra-processed items, while 3.7 billion struggle to find access to nutritious food.
As a result, the report advocates for adherence to a planetary health diet (PhD), which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.
In a PhD, half of your plate should consist of vegetables, fruits, and nuts, while 30% should be dedicated to whole grains. The remaining portion should be a protein source, with a focus on legumes like beans and lentils.
Meat, fish, and dairy are optional within the PhD framework, with established limits, but the diet allows for flexibility. For instance, one can remain within guidelines even with a weekly intake of up to 200g of beef.
Declerck notes that the diet is adaptable to individual tastes, encouraging people to incorporate their cultural preferences.
“In fact, I believe traditional diets often more accurately reflect health,” he mentioned.
The planet’s healthy food guidelines aim to enhance human health while also benefiting the environment, as stated in the report – Credit: Carl Hendon
Currently, only 1% of individuals meet the report’s dietary suggestions. Declerck emphasized that scientists are not ready to pinpoint the locations of these individuals, given the numerous variations among countries.
“But these individuals reside in societies where they can access healthy diets and earn a livable wage,” he added.
Declerck further remarked that the best examples of healthy eating are often found in middle-income countries, particularly within the Mediterranean basin, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.
For middle-income nations, the challenge lies in avoiding a shift toward a Western diet while maintaining cultural dietary traditions.
Amidst concerns regarding the climate crisis, Declerck stated that the report presents a “surprising” opportunity to enhance both human health and environmental well-being simultaneously.
“We encourage individuals to consume a wider variety of foods, celebrate their own cultural contributions, explore diverse culinary traditions, and enjoy the richness of food diversity,” he asserted. “This is beneficial not only for your personal health but also contributes significantly to the health of our planet as a whole,” Declerck concluded.
The research’s co-author, Professor Johann Lockstrom, co-chair of the committee and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, stated: “The evidence is irrefutable. It is not only feasible to transform the food system, but it is crucial for ensuring a safe, fair, and sustainable future for all.”
Justice formed another key component of the report, highlighting the fact that the wealthiest 30% of the population accounts for over 70% of food-related environmental impacts.
“Those of us who are unhealthy and walk blocking others’ rights to a secure environment must take action,” the report emphasized.
The findings call for immediate measures to reform the global food system for the benefit of human health, justice, and environmental sustainability.
Leveraging artificial intelligence can aid the global fight against the climate crisis, but it’s essential for governments to implement regulations on this technology, stated the UN’s director of climate affairs.
AI enhances the efficiency of energy systems and creates tools to lower carbon emissions in industrial practices. The United Nations employs AI to support climate diplomacy efforts as well.
However, Simon Stiel, the executive director of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, expressed that the significant energy demands of large data centers raise concerns that necessitate governmental action.
“AI isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it carries risks. Yet, it has the potential to be transformative. We need to mitigate those risks while amplifying its catalytic power,” he remarked. “As we manage significant AI platforms, we will innovate ways to run them using renewable energy and encourage energy efficiency.”
He continued, “AI doesn’t replace human effort; it enhances our abilities. Most crucially, it is a force that drives tangible results, aiding in microgrid management, climate risk assessment, and resilient planning.”
Stiel offered an optimistic perspective on global climate actions, asserting that the world is “aligned with the Paris Agreement,” anticipating a surge in renewable energy and new governmental commitments to cut carbon emissions.
Confronted with strong opposition from Donald Trump’s administration, he staunchly defended climate diplomacy while observing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where world leaders convened amidst significant geopolitical and economic challenges.
“If we look beyond the distractions, the evidence indicates a world that aligns with the Paris Agreement,” he stated. “Investment in renewable energy has soared tenfold over the past decade, with the clean energy transition flourishing across almost all major economies, reaching $2 trillion last year alone.”
While China is at the forefront of the global clean energy surge, nations such as the EU, India, several African countries, and Latin America are also widely adopting clean alternatives. However, investments face hurdles due to the obstacles posed by Trump’s dismantling of federal climate initiatives, even as many state governments and companies uphold their commitments.
Though businesses are recognizing the economic potential of transitioning to a low-carbon future, they still require more investment. A recent study revealed that out of over 700 low-carbon industrial facilities planned worldwide, only 15 secured the necessary funding for full production, representing a remarkable $1.6 trillion (£1.2 trillion) opportunity for investors.
Referring to this research, Stiel emphasized, “We’re not waiting for a miracle. The economics are favorable. Over 90% of newly installed renewables are cheaper than the least expensive new fossil fuel options. The technology and solutions are already available.”
However, he noted that despite companies acknowledging the shift, the tangible benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon economy have yet to be felt in households. “This boom is uneven. Its substantial benefits aren’t equitably distributed,” Stiel remarked.
He further noted that the impacts of the climate crisis are accelerating, necessitating quicker progress. Governments are obliged to develop a new national plan, known as the NDC, for controlling greenhouse gases in accordance with the Paris Agreement. While these were expected to be ready by February, Stiel has extended the deadline ahead of the Crunch COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil this November.
Numerous major economies, including the EU, China, India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, have yet to officially submit their national plans, while Trump has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Agreement.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Stiel, who emphasizes the positive economic prospects arising during the climate crisis, stated, “Every challenge has its skeptics.”
“We are now reinforcing and transmitting a stronger, unmistakable message: the world remains firmly committed to the Paris Agreement and is fully engaged in climate collaboration.
Rivers across the United States are experiencing increasing temperatures.
A recent analysis of nearly 1,500 river locations spanning over 40 years reveals a rise in the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves, posing risks to many species accustomed to cooler waters.
“The increase in river heat waves is actually outpacing that of air heat waves, which is quite surprising,” states Li Li, a professor of environmental engineering at Pennsylvania State University and the study’s author.
A new analysis published in the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences is the first comprehensive study defining river heat waves as five consecutive hot days compared to seasonal averages.
The researchers identified climate change, which significantly impacts humans, as a major contributor to this trend, due to diminishing snowpacks and slower stream flows.
Human factors also play a role; for example, dams inhibit downstream flow, while urban structures absorb heat, warming both air and water.
Scientists are concerned that species reliant on cold water, such as salmon and trout, will increasingly struggle as river temperatures rise. Li emphasizes the necessity of tracking fish fatalities and ongoing trends.
Higher temperatures decrease the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. Additionally, cold water species generally exhibit increased metabolism in warmer conditions, leading to further oxygen depletion.
These findings could influence basin management strategies and help determine if adjustments in irrigation or dam releases can support aquatic life during elevated temperatures.
“Water management practices can significantly impact heat waves,” noted Jonathan Walter, a research scientist at UC Davis’ Center for Watershed Sciences, who was not part of the study. “If there is sufficient reservoir water, it may be feasible to moderate downstream temperatures by releasing water to mitigate extreme heat.”
While heat waves in oceans and lakes have been studied extensively, there has been limited research on the implications of rising temperatures in rivers until now.
Satellite data have advanced the study of ocean and lake heat, but river temperature research is challenged by reliance on often unusable river gauge sensors, resulting in significant data gaps.
For this new study, researchers analyzed data from 1,471 US Geological Survey monitoring sites from 1980 to 2022.
This data enabled an assessment of shifts in streams nationwide, revealing that by 2022, river heat waves were occurring more frequently than in 1980, with an average increase of 1.8 additional heatwave events per year. These heat waves were also more severe, with temperatures during these events being approximately 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit higher in 2022 than in 1980. Moreover, the duration of heat wave events extended by over three days.
Li noted that this extra heat caused an average of about 12 days of heat stress for cold water species. The study defined 59°F as the threshold for heat stress, as many species, including bull trout, face survival challenges at this temperature.
“When considering water, its visibility draws attention to its significance,” Li remarked. “We hope this research raises public awareness on water quality challenges stemming from climate change.”
The artificial intelligence system has outperformed numerous prediction enthusiasts, including a number of experts. A competition focused on event predictions spanned events from the fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk to Kemi Badenok being dismissed as a potential Conservative leader.
The UK-based AI startup, established by former Google DeepMind researchers, ranks among the top 10 in international forecasting competitions, with participants tasked with predicting the probabilities of 60 events occurring over the summer.
Manticai secured 8th place in the Metaculus Cup, operated by a forecasting firm based in San Francisco aiming to predict the futures of investment funds and corporations.
While AI performance still lags behind the top human predictors, some contend that it could surpass human capabilities sooner than anticipated.
“It feels odd to be outperformed by a few bots at this stage,” remarked Ben Sindel, one of the professional predictors who ended up behind the AI during the competition, eventually finishing on Mantic’s team. “We’ve made significant progress compared to a year ago when the best bots were ranked around 300.”
The Metaculus Cup included questions like which party would win the most seats in the Samoan general election, and how many acres of the US would be affected by fires from January to August. Contestants were graded based on their predictions as of September 1st.
“What Munch achieved is remarkable,” stated Degar Turan, CEO of Metaculus.
Turan estimated that AI would perform at par or even surpass top human predictors by 2029, but also acknowledged that “human predictors currently outshine AI predictors.”
In complex predictions reliant on interrelated events, AI systems tend to struggle with logical validation checks when interpreting knowledge into final forecasts.
Mantic effectively dissects prediction challenges into distinct tasks and assigns them to various machine learning models such as OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek based on their capabilities.
Co-founder Toby Shevlane indicated that their achievements mark a significant milestone for the AI community, utilizing large language models for predictive analytics.
“Some argue that LLMs merely replicate training data, but we can’t predict such futures,” he noted. “We require genuine inference. We can assert that our system’s forecasts are more original than those of most human contenders, as individuals often compile average community predictions. AI systems frequently differ from these averages.”
Mantic’s systems deploy a range of AI agents to evaluate current events, conduct historical analyses, simulate scenarios, and make future predictions. The strength of AI prediction lies in its capacity for hard work and endurance, vital for effective forecasting.
AI can simultaneously tackle numerous complex challenges, revisiting each daily to adapt based on evolving information. Human predictors also leverage intuition, but Sindel suggests this may emerge in AI as well.
“Intuition is crucial, but I don’t think it’s inherently human,” he commented.
Top-tier human super forecasters assert their superiority. Philip Tetlock, co-author of the bestseller SuperForecasting, recently published research indicating that, on average, experts continue to outperform the best bots.
Turan reiterated that AI systems face challenges in complex predictions involving interdependent events, struggling to identify logical inconsistencies in output during validation checks.
“We’ve witnessed substantial effort and investment,” remarked Warren Hatch, CEO of Good Judgement, a forecasting firm co-founded by Tetlock. “We anticipate AI excelling in specific question categories, such as monthly inflation.
Or, as Lubos Saloky, the human forecaster who placed third in the Metaculus Cup, expressed, “I’m not retiring. If you can’t beat them, I’ll collaborate with them.”
The global landscape is improving in suicide prevention
Gremlin/Getty Images
Globally, suicide rates have seen a noteworthy decline over the last several decades. However, certain nations like the US are deviating from this trend, making it challenging to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 reduction target by one-third.
From 1990 to 2021, the worldwide suicide rate decreased by nearly 30%, dropping from approximately 10 deaths per 100,000 to nearly 7 per 100,000, according to Jiseung Kang and her team from Korean University. They utilized the WHO’s mortality database to compile data on suicide fatalities across 102 countries.
“A growing number of countries recognize that suicide is preventable,” states Paul Nestadt from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Many have implemented policies aimed at reducing suicide, such as restricting access to pesticides and firearms, which appear to be yielding positive results.
Since 2000, suicide rates have consistently decreased in all continents except for the United States, where there has been over an 11% increase. Countries like Mexico, Paraguay, and the US have also seen rising suicide rates. Between 2000 and 2020, the suicide rate in the US surged from about 9.6 to 12.5 per 100,000. Researchers attribute this rise to increased firearm-related suicides and the mental health repercussions of the 2008 financial crisis.
In contrast, Asia and Europe have seen a steady decline in suicide rates, with Oceania and Africa experiencing drops before a reversal around 2010-2015. Interestingly, despite decades of decline, Europe reported the highest suicide rate in 2021 at nearly nine deaths per 100,000, while Africa had the lowest rates.
This discrepancy could be attributed to varying data collection practices. Many European nations have comprehensive systems for tracking and reporting suicide deaths, which can better inform public health strategies. “However, this means their rates may appear significantly higher than those of other regions like Africa and some parts of Asia,” adds Nestadt.
Moreover, suicide rates in high-income countries significantly surpass those in low-income nations, influenced by surveillance capabilities. Cultural attitudes towards suicide can also vary, where some societies may stigmatize the act, leading to underreporting, according to Nestadt.
Previous studies have similarly highlighted global declines in suicide rates, especially with the dawn of early Covid-19 data. Concerns about potential surges in suicide during the pandemic were widespread as many faced unemployment, isolation, and loss. “It felt like a perfect storm for suicide,” remarks Nestadt. “Yet, the surprising outcome was that suicide rates actually decreased.” The average global suicide rate fell approximately 1.5% from 2010 to 2019, with an even greater drop of nearly 1.7% during the pandemic.
“Trends often reflect a decline in suicides amid national tragedies and significant global crises,” notes Nestadt. “It’s acceptable to not be okay.” Efforts made by many governments throughout the crisis—including enhanced access to mental health resources and financial support—have been seen as positive steps. “From a suicide prevention standpoint, our pandemic response was commendable,” he adds.
Should this trend persist, researchers predict that global suicide rates could fall even further by 2050, potentially reaching fewer than 6.5 deaths per 100,000.
“These are not just numbers; countless lives could be saved,” stresses Nestadt. “It’s uplifting to recognize that there are effective interventions that can help prevent these tragedies.”
If you need a listening ear, reach out to the British Samaritans at 116123 (Samaritans.org) or the US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (988lifeline.org). For services in other countries, visit bit.ly/suicidehelplines.
When Architect Hen Degareg Bekele, in his early 30s, purchased a Volkswagen electric vehicle this year, he felt a degree of skepticism. His hometown, Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, faced not only frequent blackouts but also doubts regarding the vehicle’s quality.
Four months later, Degareg is pleased with his choice. He no longer has to endure long waits at gas stations due to the chronic fuel shortages in Ethiopia.
“Even if I arrive early in the morning, I still have to wait two to three hours. Often, they run out of gas before my turn comes,” he explains. “Owning an EV saves time. I have no regrets.”
Architect Deghareg Bekele at an EV charging station in Addis Ababa. Photo: Fred Harter
Until recently, electric vehicles were nearly unheard of in Ethiopia. However, last year, it became the first nation to prohibit the import of combustion engine vehicles. Today, EVs can be seen frequently in the capital, with China’s BYD being the most prevalent brand. Despite its recent rise to become the world’s largest EV manufacturer, Western brands remain popular.
According to the Ministry of Transport, out of the country’s total of 1.5 million vehicles, around 115,000 are electric. The goal is to boost this number to 500,000 by 2030.
Ethiopia leans towards a shift to EVs, despite challenges. Close to half of the 126 million population lacks access to electricity, and only20%have access at least 23 hours a day, with only a third connected to the grid. Frequent power outages hinder many factories from running efficiently.
These shortages are attributed to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which was completed earlier this month after 14 years of construction. With a maximum capacity of 5,150 megawatts, it aims to double Ethiopia’s current power generation, which is predominantly hydroelectric.
However, challenges persist, including the substantial costs involved in expanding electricity access to rural areas.
“Renewable energy has significant potential,” emphasizes Transport Minister Valeo Hassen, noting that the ban on fossil fuel vehicles aligns with Ethiopia’s green policies aimed at reducing urban pollution during peak hours.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam located on the Blue Nile River in Guba, northwest Ethiopia. Photo: Anadolu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
The primary motivation, however, is economic. Ethiopia spends about $4.5 billion (£3.3 billion) annually on fuel imports, a considerable burden for a country struggling with foreign currency shortages and widespread poverty. “This is one of our main expenditures,” notes Bareo.
In contrast, the country’s hydroelectric production is notably cost-effective. This has allowed it to attract skeptical drivers in Addis Ababa, who have witnessed fuel prices more than double over the past three years.
Taxi driver Fire Tilahun reports his monthly fuel expenses were around 20,000 Ethiopian Birr (£105), while now, charging his EV costs less than 3,000 Birr.
“I won’t go back,” he declares while charging at a new station in Addis Ababa. “Occasionally, there are power outages, but we manage.”
To further support EV adoption, Ethiopia implemented tax exemptions. Despite being expensive, in a nation where doctors average £60 monthly, the BYD model is priced at around 2.2 million Birr (£11,000). Meanwhile, combustion engine vehicles have skyrocketed in price due to 200% import taxes prior to the ban, distorting the used car market.
Efforts to foster local manufacturing are underway, albeit at a small scale. One notable site is managed by the Belayneh Kinde Group, an industrial conglomerate situated on the western outskirts of Addis Ababa.
An electric vehicle being assembled at a factory on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. Photo: Fred Harter
“We should not rely solely on imports,” Valeo states. “Our aim is to develop local production capacity to enhance skills and employment opportunities for our citizens.”
Yet, the sudden shift to EVs has been uneven. Drivers express concerns over insufficient preparation time. Currently, Ethiopia boasts just over 100 charging stations out of a target of 2,300, most of which are located in Addis Ababa. This limits road trips to rural areas that often experience more frequent blackouts, making it impractical for EVs beyond the capital.
Rema Wakugali recharging his electric vehicle, expressing the need for more charging stations. Photo: Fred Harter
At another charging station in Addis Ababa, Coffee Export Manager remarks that he is “genuinely satisfied” with his BYD, but wishes he could drive to Hawassa, a favored lakeside destination.
“They must construct more charging stations – it’s essential,” he insists. “There are too few in Addis. There are no electric vehicles operating outside the city. This car can travel 420km; what happens after that?”
Moreover, there are currently no plans to introduce electric versions of heavy trucks, which are vital for transporting most of Ethiopia’s imports from nearby Djibouti ports. As the fleet ages, the economic impact may be felt significantly.
The CEO of a prominent ride-hailing company in Addis Ababa reports that most of his drivers harbor doubts about the longevity of EV batteries and their resale value. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful that after his personal experience with an EV, the infrastructure will evolve to meet the growing demand.
“Initially, we believed this policy would fail due to inadequacies in power infrastructure, frequent blackouts, and a scarcity of charging stations,” he reflects.
WAfter arriving in Bangkok from Nairobi last December, Duncan Okindo sensed something was amiss as he began his job as a customer service agent. The 26-year-old had previously sold cattle, borrowed funds from a friend, and used his savings to pay the recruitment agency 200,000 Kenyan Shillings (£1,150).
“I thought it was a positive step to leave [the country] and seek opportunities to support my family,” Okindo recalls.
Unfortunately, when a van collected Okindo and six other Kenyans at the airport, the driver took their passports and falsely informed Thai officials that they were tourists. After several hours of travel, they were taken to a boat to cross a river, confused and exhausted.
For the next three months, he was forced to send thousands of messages from fake social media accounts, posing as a wealthy American investor to defraud U.S. real estate agents through cryptocurrency scams.
When he failed to hit his daily targets, he faced beatings, confinement in a freezing room, and sometimes went without food for up to two days. He prayed for the safety of others who suffered at the hands of the Chinese gangsters operating the center, wishing they could avoid the electrocution and sexual torture he witnessed.
“It was hell on Earth,” says Okindo. “I felt completely shattered.”
Eventually, he was released from Myanmar’s KK Park, a compound reflecting the rising number of Kenyans, Ugandans, and Ethiopians trafficked to Southeast Asia as criminal organizations look to expand the East African labor pool.
KK Park is a rapidly growing fraud center located in Myawadi, along Myanmar’s border with Thailand. Photo: Jittrapon Kaicome/The Guardian
Since the 2021 coup in Myanmar, there’s been a surge in cyber slavery compounds, taking advantage of the country’s weakened governance and fostering illegal activities. The number of such centers along the Thai border has escalated from 11 to 26 in just four years.
Okindo considers himself fortunate. The mission to find and free trafficked individuals involves coordination among multiple governments, militias, and police forces. Thai officials have successfully promoted the release of thousands of trafficking victims, while East African governments are increasingly collaborating with Thai authorities willing to engage with Myanmar’s junta and militia forces at the border.
Victims can only be released into Thai custody if their home country agrees to take responsibility for their repatriation and the associated costs.
Since 2020, the Southeast Asian cyberslavery industry has ensnared hundreds of thousands, forcing individuals into what is colloquially termed “slaughtering the pigs,” a brutal way to build trust with scam targets before executing fraud. Initially aimed at Chinese and Taiwanese victims, the industry has expanded to Southeast Asians, Indians, and now, Africans.
“Sometimes I’m afraid to talk about it,” Okindo reflects. Photo: Provided by Duncan Okindo
This has led various human trafficking networks to search for recruits with English and technical skills, including East Africans. Estimates now suggest thousands are trapped in Southeast Asian compounds, according to Benedict Hoffman, a representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
As awareness grows among citizens in various countries, recruitment becomes increasingly challenging. “It’s much harder these days to enlist large numbers of individuals from India,” Hoffmann notes. “This is why we’re observing a rise in victims from Africa.”
Between January and April, the Kenyan government successfully repatriated 175 citizens from Myanmar; Roseline Njogu, the Director of the Diaspora Issues Department in Kenya’s State Department, noted that a substantial group of Kenyans, about 150 individuals trafficked from across Southeast Asia, was rescued between 2022 and 2024. This issue also extends to Ethiopia and Uganda.
Recruiters exploiting modern slavery are capitalizing on government migration promotion, targeting Kenya through online job advertisements, social media, texts, and in-person visits to rural areas, states Mutuk Nguri, CEO of the Counter Human Traffic Trust.
Chinese, Vietnamese, and Ethiopians rescued in Misawadi, Myanmar. They are recognized as victims of human trafficking at fraud centers. Photo: Thanaphon Wuttison/AP
The government acknowledges its precarious position, according to Nguri. The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Issues did not respond to requests for comments.
Thailand has aided thousands, but repatriation presents its own challenges and costs. Thai officials must establish that workers are indeed victims of human trafficking before releasing them to their home countries.
When Susan Wahura* was rescued from a Myanmar romance scam operation in 2022, she spent a month moving between four Thai detention centers before realizing she was trafficked and initiating legal steps to obtain freedom.
“I spent time in a solitary cell before accepting my status as a trafficking victim which ultimately led to my freedom,” shares 32-year-old Wahura.
Neither Uganda nor Ethiopia maintain embassies in Thailand, complicating their ability to identify victims in Myanmar, currently engulfed in civil conflict. Earlier this year, several Ugandans and Ethiopians found themselves stranded at the Myanmar-Thai border as repatriation efforts stalled.
Duncan Okindo has created a TikTok video detailing his trafficking experiences in Myanmar, aiming to raise awareness about predatory agencies and bogus job offers. Photo: Carlos Mureithi/The Guardian
The fraud syndicate is exploiting vulnerabilities in East Africa’s diplomatic representation to deter victims from seeking help, asserts Jason Tower, a global initiative against transnational organized crime.
“Ultimately, that’s the objective of the scam syndicate—to transform individuals into profit-generating machines, acting as high-capacity con artists,” states Tower.
Nevertheless, despite repatriation efforts by East African nations, deceptive recruitment agencies keep advertising fake job opportunities. Both Okindo and Wahura continue to share guardian messages with Kenyans contemplating moves to Southeast Asia.
In May, Okindo, who holds a mass communication diploma, filed a lawsuit against the recruitment agency and its staff, accusing them of conscription into slavery and human trafficking. A Nairobi court has issued a temporary injunction preventing the overseas employment of labor.
Since his return, Okindo has spoken publicly about his experiences through television, TikTok, and other social media outlets, connecting stranded victims with legal support, aid organizations, and ambassadors for their recovery.
His aim is to raise awareness about malicious institutions and false job opportunities while encouraging victims to seek justice.
“I’ve enlightened many individuals,” he asserts. “Though I sometimes feel scared discussing it, I share my story, knowing that speaking out could help save others.”
Noise is a constant presence, easily overlooked until its intensity shifts significantly. We recognize familiar sounds—the heartbeats and hums of daily life—just as readily as we notice the sights seen during commutes and other outings.
When those familiar sounds change, we pay attention. Many express a desire for quietude, yet Chris Berdik, a science journalist, posits that this intricately overlaps with positive noise. He argues in his book, Cry: Noise Took Over the World – And How Can It Be Regained?, that sometimes we need to introduce pleasant sounds to mask the more intrusive ones.
While noise-cancelling headphones sell well, Berdik emphasizes that they are not a universal fix. Introducing white or grey noise can mitigate harmful sounds, yet complete silencing can often have detrimental effects.
It is crucial to cultivate the right kind of noise, as it directly impacts our health. For instance, my neighbor’s piano while I read Berdik’s work doesn’t elevate my stress levels as much as the sounds of children playing soccer against my living room walls. The immediate effects are concerning, but the long-term implications offer even greater cause for reflection.
Nearly 40 million adults in the US experience noise-induced hearing loss, with projections estimating this figure could nearly double by 2060. This is a universal challenge, as the World Health Organization indicates that over 1 billion young individuals globally face an avoidable risk of hearing impairment due to their use of devices such as smartphones and audio players. Remarkably, one in four respondents suggest that by 2050, they will be putting their hearing at risk.
I read this book amidst rising discussions about noise management. Recently, in the UK, proposed legislation suggested allowing loud music on public transport without headphones—a surprisingly popular thought.
Yet, a contrasting perspective emerged during my recent days spent in the hospital listening to the beeping machines connected to my grandfather. As time passed, those sounds became familiar, aligning with Berdik’s observation about how our brains adapt.
This prevailing issue touches on another compelling narrative Berdik shares in shout: a healthcare professional working on redesigning medical machines to ensure critical signals aren’t drowned out by unnecessary noise. Her innovations include auditory icons—concise sound cues conveying essential information, like the sound of breathing.
The ramifications of noise reach beyond human experiences. Berdik points out that from 1950 to 2007, ambient noise levels in the deep sea rose by 3.3 decibels per decade.
This increase has tangible effects on sea life; for instance, the sounds created by ocean vessels interfere with the communication frequencies of whales.
Change is essential, Berdik insists. This means reducing loud music on public transport—a notion that some, like the liberal Democrats, seem to champion. Furthermore, it calls for a reevaluation of our reliance on noise-cancelling headphones and a thoughtful assessment of the noise we wish to retain versus the noise we seek to eliminate.
Chris Stokell Walker is a technology writer based in Newcastle, UK
The Art and Science of Crafting Science Fiction
Explore new dimensions in science fiction writing this weekend, focusing on world-building and artistic expression.
The prohibition of ozone-depleting substances like CFCs has facilitated the recovery of the ozone layer. However, when paired with rising air pollution levels, the heating effects of ozone are now expected to warm the planet by an additional 40% more than previously estimated.
Antarctica’s ozone hole in 2020. Image credit: ESA.
“CFCs and HCFCs are greenhouse gases contributing to global warming,” stated Professor Bill Collins of Reading University and his colleagues.
“Countries have banned these substances to protect the ozone layer, with hopes it will also mitigate climate change.”
“However, as the ozone layer continues to heal, the resulting warming could offset much of the climate benefits we expect from eliminating CFCs and HCFCs.”
“Efforts to reduce air pollution will limit ground-level ozone.”
“Still, the ozone layer will take decades to fully recover, irrespective of air quality policies, leading to unavoidable warming.”
“Safeguarding the ozone layer is vital for human health and skin cancer prevention.”
“It shields the Earth from harmful UV radiation that can affect humans, animals, and plants.”
“Yet, this study indicates that climate policies must be revised to consider the enhanced warming effects of ozone.”
The researchers utilized computer models to project atmospheric changes by the mid-century.
The models continued under a scenario of low pollution, where CFCs and HCFCs have been eliminated as per the Montreal Protocol (1987).
The results indicate that stopping the production of CFCs and HCFCs—primarily to defend the ozone layer—offers fewer climate advantages than previously thought.
Between 2015 and 2050, ozone is predicted to cause an excess warming of 0.27 watts per square meter (WM-2).
This value denotes the additional energy trapped per square meter of the Earth’s surface—carbon dioxide (which contributes 1.75 WM-2) will rank as the second-largest influence on future warming by 2050.
“Countries are making the right choice by continuing to ban CFCs and HCFCs that endanger the ozone layer globally,” stated Professor Collins.
“While this contributes to the restoration of the ozone layer, we’ve discovered that this recovery results in greater planetary warming than initially anticipated.”
“Ground-level ozone generated from vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and power plants also poses health risks and exacerbates global warming.”
The results were published in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.
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WJ Collins et al. 2025. Climate forcing due to future ozone changes: Intercomparison of metrics and methods. Atmos. Chemistry. Phys 25, 9031-9060; doi: 10.5194/ACP-25-9031-2025
wHeng Min* discovered a concealed camera in her bedroom, initially hoping for a benign explanation, suspecting her boyfriend might have set it up to capture memories of their “happy life” together. However, that hope quickly morphed into fear as she realized her boyfriend had been secretly taking sexually exploitative photos of her and her female friends, as well as other women in various locations. They even used AI technology to create pornographic images of them.
When Ming confronted him, he begged for forgiveness but became angered when she refused to reconcile. I said to a Chinese news outlet, Jimu News.
Ming is not alone; many women in China have fallen victim to voyeuristic filming in both private and public spaces, including restrooms. Such images are often shared or sold online without consent. Sexually explicit photos, frequently captured via pinhole cameras hidden in everyday objects, are disseminated in large online groups.
This scandal has stirred unrest in China, raising concerns about the government’s capability and willingness to address such misconduct.
A notable group on Telegram, an encrypted messaging app, is the “Maskpark Tree Hole Forum,” which reportedly boasted over 100,000 members, mostly male.
“The Mask Park incident highlights the extreme vulnerability of Chinese women in the digital realm,” stated Li Maizi, a prominent Chinese feminist based in New York, to the Guardian.
“What’s more disturbing is the frequency of perpetrators who are known to their victims: committing sexual violence against partners, boyfriends, and even minors.”
The scandal ignited outrage on Chinese social media, stirring discussions about the difficulties of combating online harassment in the nation. While Chinese regulators are equipped to impose stricter measures against online sexual harassment and abuse, their current focus appears to prioritize suppressing politically sensitive information, according to Eric Liu, a former content moderator for Chinese social media platforms and present editor of the Digital Times based in the US.
Since the scandal emerged, Li has observed “widespread” censorship concerning the Mask Park incident on Chinese internet. Posts with potential social impact, especially those related to feminism, are frequently subject to censorship.
“If the Chinese government had the will, they could undoubtedly shut down the group,” Li noted. “The scale of [MaskPark] is significant. Cases of this magnitude have not gone unchecked in recent years.”
Nevertheless, Li expressed that he is not surprised. “Such content has always existed on the Chinese internet.”
In China, individuals found guilty of disseminating pornographic material can face up to two years in prison, while those who capture images without consent may be detained for up to ten days and fined. The country also has laws designed to protect against sexual harassment, domestic violence, and cyberbullying.
However, advocates argue that the existing legal framework falls short. Victims often find themselves needing to gather evidence to substantiate their claims, as explained by Xirui*, a Beijing-based lawyer specializing in gender-based violence cases.
“Certain elements must be met for an action to be classified as a crime, such as a specific number of clicks and subjective intent,” Xirui elaborated.
“Additionally, there’s a limitation on public safety lawsuits where the statute of limitations is only six months, after which the police typically will not pursue the case.”
The Guardian contacted China’s Foreign Ministry for a statement.
Beyond legal constraints, victims of sexual offenses often grapple with shame, which hinders many from coming forward.
“There have been similar cases where landlords set up cameras to spy on female tenants. Typically, these situations are treated as privacy violations, which may lead to controlled detention, while victims seek civil compensation,” explained Xirui.
To address these issues, the government could strengthen specialized laws, enhance gender-based training for law enforcement personnel, and encourage courts to provide guidance with examples of pertinent cases, as recommended by legal experts.
For Li, the recent occurrences reflect a pervasive tolerance for and lack of effective law enforcement regarding these issues in China. Instead of prioritizing the fight against sexist and abusive content online, authorities seem more focused on detaining female writers involved in homoerotic fiction and censoring victims of digital abuse.
“The rise of deepfake technology and the swift online distribution of poorly filmed content have rendered women’s bodies digitally accessible on an unparalleled scale,” stated Li. “However, if authorities truly wish to address these crimes, it is entirely feasible to track and prosecute them, provided they invest the necessary resources and hold the Chinese government accountable.”
*Name changed
Additional research by Lillian Yang and Jason Tang Lu
Around 56 million years ago, during a period of significant geological warming known as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), the mesonychid mammal Dissacus Praenuntius exhibited remarkable dietary changes—it began to consume more bones.
Dissacus Praenuntius. Image credit: DIBGD / CC by 4.0.
“I am a doctoral student at Rutgers University in New Brunswick,” stated Andrew Schwartz from the University of New Jersey.
“We are observing a similar trend: rising carbon dioxide levels, increasing temperatures, and the destruction of ecosystems.”
In their study, Schwartz and his team analyzed small pits and marks left on fossilized teeth using a method known as dental microwear texture analysis. The research focused on the extinct mammal Dissacus Praenuntius, part of the Mesonychidae family.
This ancient omnivore weighed between 12 and 20 kg, comparable in size to jackals and coyotes.
Common in the early Cenozoic forests, it likely had a diverse diet that included meat, fruits, and insects.
“They resembled wolves with large heads,” Schwartz remarked.
“Their teeth were similar to those of hyenas, though they lacked small hooves on their toes.”
“Before this phase of warming, Dissacus Praenuntius mainly consumed tough meat, akin to a modern cheetah’s diet.”
“However, during and after this ancient warming period, their teeth showed wear patterns consistent with crushing hard substances like bones.”
“Our findings indicate that their dental microwear is similar to that of lions and hyenas.”
“This suggests they were consuming more brittle food rather than their usual smaller prey, which became scarce.”
This shift in diet occurred alongside a slight decrease in body size, likely a result of food shortages.
“While earlier theories attributed body size reduction solely to rising temperatures, this latest research indicates that food scarcity was a significant factor,” Schwartz explained.
“The rapid global warming of this time lasted around 200,000 years, but the changes it caused were swift and dramatic.”
“Studying periods like this can offer valuable lessons for understanding current and future climatic changes.”
“Examining how animals have adapted and how ecosystems responded can reveal much about what might happen next.”
“The research underscores the importance of dietary flexibility; species that can consume a variety of foods are more likely to endure environmental pressures.”
“In the short term, excelling in a specific area can be beneficial,” Schwartz added.
“However, in the long run, generalists—animals that are adaptable across various niches—are more likely to survive environmental changes.”
This understanding can assist modern conservation biologists in identifying vulnerable species today.
Species with specialized diets, like pandas, may struggle as their habitats diminish, while more adaptable species, such as jackals and raccoons, might thrive.
“We’re already starting to see these trends,” Schwartz noted.
“Previous research has shown that African jackals have begun to consume more bones and insects over time, likely due to habitat loss and climate stress.”
The study also indicated that rapid climate change, reminiscent of historical events, could lead to significant shifts in ecosystems, influencing prey availability and predator behaviors.
This suggests that contemporary climate change could similarly disrupt food webs, pushing species to adapt and face extinction risks.
“Nonetheless, Dissacus Praenuntius was a robust and adaptable species that thrived for about 15 million years before eventually going extinct,” Schwartz said.
Scientists believe this extinction was driven by environmental changes and competition with other species.
The study was published in June 2025 in the journal Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology, Paleoecology.
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Andrew Schwartz et al. 2025. Dietary Changes in Mesonychids During the Eocene Heat Maximum: The Case of Dissacus Praenuntius. Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology, Paleoecology 675:113089; doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2025.113089
A recent report from prominent medical journals highlights that the worldwide “plastic crisis” incurs a staggering cost of $1.5 trillion annually for governments and taxpayers.
This issue inflicts damage at every phase, from fossil fuel extraction and production to human consumption and eventual environmental disposal, according to the British publication.
“Plastics pose a significant, escalating, and often overlooked threat to both human and environmental health.” “They contribute to illness and mortality from infancy to old age, exacerbating climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.”
He also noted that these adverse effects “disproportionately impact low-income and vulnerable populations.”
In June, boaters collected recyclable plastic from the heavily polluted Sitaram River in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Timur Matahari/AFP via Getty Images
This serves as the latest alarming message from experts regarding the widespread dangers posed by plastics, which the Journal deems “the material for our age.” After years of warnings about their presence in oceans and rivers, microplastics have now been discovered in humans, including in breast milk and brain tissue.
Sunday’s announcement initiated a new monitoring system called the “Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics.”
This was introduced alongside the concluding speeches in Geneva, Switzerland, where representatives from 175 countries are seeking to establish the first global treaty on plastics.
Activists are hopeful that the discussions taking place from Tuesday through August 14th will set key objectives for reducing plastic production. Some nations, including China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, have previously resisted these initiatives and advocated for increased plastic recycling.
According to the Lancet, major petrochemical companies are “key players” in the escalating production of plastics as they shift their focus towards plastics in light of dwindling fossil energy demand.
Various plastics, often derived from food and beverage containers and packaging, contain up to 16,000 different chemicals, which “enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption,” the study states.
Pregnant women, infants, and young children are “especially vulnerable,” facing risks such as miscarriage, physical deformities, cognitive impairment, and diabetes. In adults, the risks include cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer.
“Given the substantial gaps in our understanding of plastic chemicals, it is likely that the health threats they pose are undervalued, and the disease burden resulting from them is currently underestimated,” he added.
The Lancet cited a study that estimated the global financial burden of these illnesses to be $1.5 trillion.
“It is now evident that the world cannot escape the plastic pollution crisis,” stated the Lancet. “Addressing this crisis requires continuous research, involving science-backed interventions: legislation, policy, monitoring, enforcement, incentives, and innovation.”
Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang has called for the nation to unite in advancing the development and security of rapidly evolving technologies, following the U.S.’s recent announcement regarding industry registrations.
Speaking at the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Li referred to AI as a fresh engine for economic growth, highlighting the disjointed governance of the technology and advocating for improved international cooperation to establish a universally recognized AI framework.
On Saturday, Li cautioned that the advancement of artificial intelligence must be balanced against security concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for a global consensus.
His statements followed the announcement from President Donald Trump about a proactive low-regulation approach aimed at solidifying control in swiftly evolving sectors. One executive order specifically targeted what the White House termed an “awakening” AI model.
While addressing the World AI Conference, Li stressed the importance of governance and the promotion of open-source development.
“The risks and challenges associated with artificial intelligence have garnered significant attention. Finding a balance between progress and security necessitates a broader consensus from society,” the Prime Minister stated.
Li asserted that China would “actively promote” open-source AI development, expressing willingness to share advancements with other nations, particularly those in the Global South.
The three-day conference positioned AI as a critical battleground, as industry leaders and policymakers from the two largest global economies faced off in a growing technological rivalry between China and the U.S.
Washington has implemented export restrictions on advanced technologies to China, including high-end AI chips from companies like NVIDIA, citing concerns that such technologies could enhance China’s military capabilities.
Although Li did not specifically mention the U.S. in her address, she cautioned that AI could become an “exclusive game” for certain nations and corporations, highlighting issues such as a shortage of AI chips and limitations on the exchange of talent.
As AI is integrated across numerous industries, its applications have raised significant ethical concerns, ranging from misinformation dissemination to employment impacts and the potential for loss of technical oversight.
Earlier this week, news organizations alerted online audiences about the “devastating effects” of AI-generated summaries replacing traditional search results.
The World AI Conference is an annual government-sponsored gathering in Shanghai that typically draws participants from various sectors, including industry players, government representatives, researchers, and investors.
Speakers at the event included ANE Bouverot, the AI envoy for the French President, computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, known as “The Godfather of AI,” and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk did not participate this year, although he has been a regular speaker at both in-person and video openings in previous years.
The exhibition showcased Chinese tech corporations like Huawei and Alibaba, along with startups such as humanoid robot maker Unitree. Western participants included Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon.
In the image, a group of friends is gathered at the bar, with smoke curling upwards from a cigarette in hand. Additional cigarettes are in open packets resting on the table between them. This is not a photo from before the ban, but rather one shared on social media from a Metaverse gathering.
Virtual online environments are emerging as a new frontier for marketing, as tobacco and alcohol promoters target the youth without facing any legislative repercussions.
A report presented at the World Conference on Tobacco Management in Dublin last month provided several examples. New technologies such as digital token launches and sponsorships from vaping companies in online games are being utilized to promote smoking and vaping.
This information is derived from a surveillance initiative known as Canary—acting like a canary in the coal mine. The project is managed by public health organizations around the globe.
The caption for this post reads, “I’m drinking coffee at Metaverse.” Has someone stolen the writer? Photo: Icperience.id Instagram via Instagram
“Cigarette companies are no longer waiting for regulations to catch up. They are proactively advancing while we’re still trying to comprehend what’s happening on social media, and they’re already operating in unregulated spaces like the Metaverse.” “They utilize NFTs [non-fungible tokens] and immersive events to attract young audiences to their offerings.”
In India, one tobacco company has launched an NFT symbolizing ownership of digital assets, celebrating its 93rd anniversary.
Canary monitors and analyzes tobacco marketing on various social media platforms and news sites in India, Indonesia, and Mexico, and has recently expanded to Brazil and China, covering alcohol and ultra-processed food marketing as well.
The Metaverse is not fully monitored. This 3D immersive internet allows interactions in digital environments using technologies like virtual reality headsets. However, references to activities happening there are captured through links and information shared on traditional social media platforms.
Researchers suggest that children are more susceptible to tobacco marketing in this new digital arena, given the age demographics—over half of the active Metaverse users are under 13 years old.
Social media companies possess extensive insights into how to boost engagement and attract users back for more, according to Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, CEO of Vital Strategies.
“When you combine this with the tobacco industry’s experience in hooking individuals, these two elements converge in a murky, unknown space.”
However, Magsambol describes it as “a new battleground for all of us,” shifting towards entities pushing products that are detrimental to health.
“My daughter is usually quite reserved, but in [the gaming platform] Roblox, while battling zombies and ghosts, she morphs into an avatar resembling a blend of Alexander the Great, Bruce Lee, and John Wick. She becomes quite bloodthirsty,” she remarked.
“Our behaviors shift. Social norms evolve… the tobacco industry is highly aware of this, making it easier to subtly promote the idea that anything is possible.”
The Metaverse art encountered by the team in Indonesia was showcased on the Instagram account of music enthusiasts linked to Djarum, one of Indonesia’s largest tobacco firms. Another instance highlighted a group enjoying coffee searching for something lighter.
All of this contributes to an initiative aimed at “normalizing” smoking and vaping, according to Magsambol. “Such behaviors are enacted by your avatar, but do they seep into your real life?”
“Digital platforms are being leveraged to evade traditional advertising barriers and appeal to younger audiences,” she states. “This scenario reflects not merely a shift in marketing strategies, but a transformation in influence dynamics.”
Other researchers have presented instances where alcohol is marketed and sold in virtual stores.
Online marketing constitutes a global concern. At the same conference, 53% of Irish researchers reported having seen e-cigarette posts daily on social media.
Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) note that the increase in youth smoking in Ukraine can be partially attributed to Covid and the war pushing children “online,” exposing them to various forms of marketing.
In India, youth ambassador Agamloop Kaur is leading a campaign for children to stay cigarette-free, which includes social media marketing to educate school children about the risks associated with cigarettes and vaping. She has noticed vapes being marketed as “wellness” products.
“I believe it’s crucial to educate young individuals about recognizing ads, understanding their implications, and realizing that they might not even be visibly tied to the tobacco industry. [Content posted by] influencers hold significant sway, as they help build awareness. Digital natives, when engaged on social media, can discern what’s genuine and what’s not; recognizing these attractions as empty is vital, especially for younger audiences.”
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control mandates strict regulations regarding tobacco advertising, promotions, and sponsorships. Last year, signatories acknowledged the necessity for action to focus on “digital marketing channels such as social media that amplify tobacco marketing exposure among adolescents and young individuals.”
A boy smokes a cigarette in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images
Yet, there are no straightforward solutions, as Andrew Black from the framework’s secretariat points out.
“The difficulty in regulating the Internet isn’t inherently linked to cigarettes. Rather, it’s a tangible challenge for governments to devise ways to safeguard societal norms in a landscape where technological advancements have transcended borders.”
Nandita Murktla, who leads the Canary initiative, urges regulators to exercise caution:
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