The Best of Guardian Environment

First complete ‘scientific health check’ shows most global systems beyond stable range in which modern civilisation emerged

Many botanists dispute idea of plant sentience, but study of climbing beans sows seed of doubt

Earth is already becoming unlivable. Will governments act to stop this disaster from getting worse?

«At 1.5C, about 14% of the world’s population will be hit by severe heatwaves once every five years. with this number jumping to more than a third of the global population at 2C.»

Exclusive: Oil and gas majors are planning scores of vast projects that threaten to shatter the 1.5C climate goal. If governments do not act, these firms will continue to cash in as the world burns

New data shows how fossil fuel companies have driven climate crisis despite industry knowing dangers

Unpalatable as it may be for those wedded to producing and eating meat, the environmental and health evidence for a plant-based diet is clear

Apple and cherry production hampered by lack of wild bees, who are suffering from a loss of habitat, toxic pesticides and the climate crisis

At least eight types of bird flu, all of which can kill humans, are circulating around the world’s factory farms – and they could be worse than Covid-19

«At least eight types of bird flu, all of which can kill humans, are circulating around the world’s factory farms – and they could be worse than Covid-19»

From now, house style guide recommends terms such as ‘climate crisis’ and ‘global heating’

Film by Swedish activist and Guardian journalist George Monbiot says nature must be used to repair broken climate

Expert tips on how to be kinder to the planet – from cooking and cleaning to fashion and finance

Singapore’s approval of chicken cells grown in bioreactors is seen as landmark moment across industry

Major review reports recovery of marine life but a redoubling of efforts is still needed

Oceans are clearest measure of climate crisis as they absorb 90% of heat trapped by greenhouse gases

The breakthrough, spurred by the discovery of plastic-eating bugs at a Japanese dump, could help solve the global plastic pollution crisis

The long read: Today’s oceans are a tumult of engine roar, artificial sonar and seismic blasts that make it impossible for marine creatures to hunt or communicate. We could make it stop, so why don’t…

«But volume of traffic needs to be reduced: quieter ships might lead to more ship collisions if whales cannot hear approaching danger.»

You sort your recycling, leave it to be collected – and then what? From councils burning the lot to foreign landfill sites overflowing with British rubbish, Oliver Franklin-Wallis reports on a global…

Do you have to wash your tins before recycling them? Are glass milk bottles better than plastic? Do you need to use a bag for life, for life? All your questions about staying eco without it becoming a…

When scientists discovered holes poked into the floor of the Bering Sea, they were baffled. Now they think they have found the culprit

Its enzymes degrade polyethylene within hours at room temperature and could ‘revolutionise’ recycling

Since the 1980s, fossil fuel firms have run ads touting climate denial messages – many of which they’d now like us to forget. Here’s our visual guide

«Why is meaningful action to avert the climate crisis proving so difficult? It is, at least in part, because of ads.»

The long read: As we face increased flooding, China’s sponge cities are taking a new course. But can they steer the country away from concrete megadams?

From using smartphones for longer to ending car ownership, research shows ‘less stuff and more joy’ is the way forward

Democracies are making more progress than autocracies when it comes to climate action. But divestment campaigns can put pressure on the most recalcitrant of political leaders

The rare barreleye fish tracks its prey with extremely light-sensitive rotating eyes encased in a see-through canopy