There is a closing 20-year window in which decisions on climate and land use will determine the fate of dozens of native birds, butterflies and plants across Great Britain, which is already one of the most nature-depleted countries globally.

That is the warning in a new study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), which, for the first time, predicts how different combined environmental changes would affect the survival of species within 1km square areas across the country.

For decades, biodiversity has been known to peak near the equator. But a new study reveals a striking exception: certain trematode parasites are more common in cooler, temperate waters. By tracking infections across snails, crabs and fish, researchers found that host movement, local conditions and temperature shape where parasites thrive. In warmer regions, infections are more lethal; in cooler waters, hosts survive longer, allowing parasites to persist – offering new insight into how ecosystems function and how disease may shift with climate change.

A new study shows that systems designed to capture methane from cow manure, called dairy digesters, are highly effective. But on the rare occasions they fail, the leaks are large enough to offset their climate benefits.

Scientists call for a major acceleration in coral assisted evolution research to help reefs cope with rapidly warming oceans.

At a UN wildlife conference in Brazil, governments agreed to extend protections to 40 additional migratory species, including populations of cheetahs, snowy owls, and several shark species, bringing total coverage under the Convention on Migratory Species to 1,200+ species. The meeting highlighted accelerating declines driven by habitat loss, climate change, overexploitation, and pollution, prompting new action plans, regional initiatives, and calls for stronger international cooperation and integration of Indigenous knowledge. Leaders stressed that real conservation outcomes will depend on turning agreements into on-the-ground action before the next summit in Bonn in 2029.

New research from Flinders University warns the world has already exceeded Earth’s sustainable capacity, with today’s 8.3 billion people far beyond the roughly 2.5 billion the planet can support. The study shows population growth and consumption are driving climate instability, resource depletion, and escalating global risk. Lead author Professor Corey Bradshaw says humanity is “pushing the planet harder than it can possibly cope,” but slowing population growth and cutting consumption could still avert crisis.