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David Attenborough’s voice returns to British screens in ‘Secret Garden’, a BBC One series launched to celebrate the network’s 100th birthday. Unlike his classic wildlife documentaries, the show turns the lens toward the UK’s own backyards, exploring how gardens can rival tropical rainforests in biodiversity.Series producer Bill Markham explains that the programme deliberately avoids the usual “lions and tigers” spectacle, aiming instead for a relatable, garden‑centred narrative. He notes that British gardens collectively cover more area than all national nature reserves combined, and that an average garden can host up to 2,600 different species.The series tackles the contentious issue of domestic cats. With 9.5 million pet cats in Britain, Attenborough reveals they may kill around 55 million birds each year. Simple measures—such as fitting cats with bells—can slash hunting success by one‑third, while raising bird feeders reduces fatalities further.Markham stresses that the current predator‑prey balance is “unfair on the prey”, noting that cats are “the biggest predator in our gardens” yet are constantly fed, leading to an unsustainable population. He cites ecologist Dr Davide Dominoni, who suggests that keeping cats indoors during the breeding months of April and May could dramatically lower bird deaths.Beyond cats, the series examines other garden‑linked wildlife challenges. Each year, over 30 million pheasants—an Asian species—are released into the countryside, where they prey on native insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Markham argues that despite the countryside lobby’s claim that pheasant shooting sustains rural jobs, the practice “mess‑es with the ecology”.‘Secret Garden’ also showcases rare footage, including a pine marten hunting sand martins, an otter preying on ducks, and intricate mayfly battles reminiscent of the famed “snakes vs. iguana” scene from Planet Earth II. These moments underline the hidden drama unfolding in everyday green spaces.Markham hopes the series will soothe the growing eco‑anxiety many feel about climate change. He points out that the UK boasts roughly 25 million gardens, with 80 % of the population having access. Simple actions—like planting a native tree to boost caterpillar supplies for birds—can make a measurable difference.While the show may provoke cat owners and countryside advocates, Markham believes the nation’s love for “animals, gardens and David Attenborough” will drive a collective re‑thinking of garden stewardship. As Attenborough reflects, his first encounter with nature likely occurred in his own garden, setting him on the path to becoming the world’s most renowned naturalist.‘Secret Garden’ airs from 5 April on BBC One and iPlayer.

President Donald Trump's aggressive pursuit of fossil fuels, particularly in the context of the Iran conflict, has exposed the volatile nature of the fossil fuel era, according to critics. The ongoing tensions have resulted in significant economic and environmental costs, including a spike in global energy costs and a substantial humanitarian toll.The conflict has led to a humanitarian and environmental crisis in Iran and southern Lebanon, with threats of further escalation likely to exacerbate these issues. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil transportation, has had far-reaching economic implications, with consumers worldwide paying over $100 billion extra to fossil fuel companies since the conflict began. In the US, the average national cost of gasoline has risen to nearly $4 a gallon.Experts, such as Alice Hill from the Council on Foreign Relations, have expressed concerns about Trump's reliance on fossil fuels, stating that it is a risky strategy. Hill emphasized that countries investing in clean energy like solar and wind power will be better positioned to weather such crises. However, Trump's administration has actively sought to undermine clean energy projects, including banning them from federal land and waters and removing their subsidies.The Trump administration's actions have been contrasted with the growing global investment in renewable energy. Despite the declining cost of wind and solar power, the administration has taken steps to promote fossil fuel extraction, including attempting to seize oil supplies from Iran and Venezuela. This approach has been criticized for its potential to exacerbate climate change and undermine global efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources.The ongoing dependence on fossil fuels has been highlighted by recent environmental disasters, including toxic black smoke from missile strikes on oil depots in Iran and an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. These incidents have underscored the need for a shift towards cleaner energy sources to mitigate the risks associated with fossil fuel extraction and consumption.

The recent open letter from 60 clergy members, addressed to the author, underscores a shared concern for planetary stewardship and acknowledges that human‑generated carbon emissions are warming the climate. However, the signatories and the author diverge sharply on the appropriate policy response. Marshall contends that an outright ban on fossil fuels is both impractical and ideologically driven, creating a collective‑action dilemma for the UK. He notes that while the nation pursues a rapid net‑zero transition, major emitters such as India and China operate on markedly different timelines, and the United States has withdrawn from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This leaves Britain navigating a path of unilateral economic disarmament. Industrial electricity rates in the UK have surged to two‑and‑a‑half to three times those in China and four times those in the United States. Such cost differentials are eroding the global competitiveness of sectors ranging from steel and oil refining to chemicals, automotive manufacturing, and emerging AI industries. The result, according to Marshall, is a wave of factory closures, investment pull‑backs, and significant job losses across the nation's industrial heartlands. Beyond macro‑economic concerns, the policy’s social toll is stark. Older and low‑income households are bearing the brunt of soaring energy bills, with an estimated 2,500 excess deaths last year attributed to an inability to adequately heat homes. This humanitarian impact, Marshall argues, contradicts the very notion of “human flourishing” that climate advocates champion. While acknowledging that every policy entails trade‑offs, Marshall warns that the clergy’s proposal would impose severe personal costs on working‑class Britons without delivering the promised climate benefits. He concludes that the current net‑zero trajectory is unlikely to curb global warming and instead jeopardizes the UK's economic vitality and social wellbeing. Paul MarshallChair, Marshall Wace; personal investor in GB News

While birdwatching is a well-known hobby, moth-watching is gaining popularity as a fascinating and misunderstood pursuit. A recent study on birdwatching found that becoming an expert birder causes changes to the brain that may help protect against age-related cognitive decline. The study, led by Erik Wing, discovered that expert birders show more activity in brain regions linked to visual processing, attention, and working memory when identifying difficult species. The author, a self-proclaimed moth enthusiast, argues that moths are orders of magnitude more difficult to distinguish than birds, with over 2,500 species in the UK alone. The author participates in the Garden Moth Scheme, a citizen science project that has been running since 2008, and has found that moths play a vital role in the natural world, pollinating plants, providing food for wildlife, and contributing to nutrient cycling. Despite their importance, moths are often misunderstood and maligned, with many people viewing them as pests. However, the author highlights the beauty and diversity of moths, with some species having intricate patterns and colors that rival those of butterflies. The author also notes that moths are harbingers of environmental change, with many species declining in abundance due to habitat loss and climate change. The Garden Moth Scheme has revealed a troubling trend of declining moth populations, with half of UK garden moth species showing a decrease in abundance. This decline has significant implications for the balance of the natural world. The author concludes that moth-watching, like birdwatching, can be a mindful and rewarding hobby that not only promotes appreciation for nature but also supports brain health.

Sir Paul Marshall, the co-owner of GB News and a self-described 'committed' Christian, has been criticized by a group of 100 church leaders over the TV channel's attacks on climate science and action. The leaders, including former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, argue that Marshall's statements on climate change are misleading and that his hedge fund's £1.8bn investments in fossil fuels present a conflict of interest.Marshall has stated that the UK has been infected by 'climate derangement syndrome' and that efforts to cut planet-heating emissions are 'impoverishing people.' In response, the church leaders emphasized that 100% of global heating since 1950 has been caused by human emissions and activities, according to the world's climate scientists. They also noted that decarbonization is a huge growth opportunity that will save trillions of dollars in the long term.The leaders, in an open letter, urged Marshall to be transparent about any personal conflicts of interest and to declare his financial interests in fossil fuels. They cited research that found GB News broadcast 953 attacks on climate science and climate action in the period immediately before and after the 2024 general election.Marshall responded that 'the Gospel entreats us to look after the vulnerable' but argued that pursuing an 'ideological' net zero policy was 'a path of unilateral economic disarmament and self-harm.' He also stated that he was not involved in the editorial decisions of GB News, which has lost £131m since its launch in 2021.The Christian leaders' criticism of Marshall and GB News highlights the ongoing debate over climate change and the role of media outlets in shaping public discourse on the issue. As more than 100 countries have net zero policies and the UK's net zero economy grew by 10% in 2024, the pressure on media outlets to provide accurate and responsible reporting on climate issues continues to grow.

In a groundbreaking experiment conducted in Colorado's Rocky Mountain meadows, scientists heated a patch of land by 2C for 29 years. The results are alarming: the area transformed from a lush, diverse grassland into a desert-like scrubland dominated by sagebrush. This 'shrubification' process, driven by rising temperatures, threatens the very existence of alpine grasslands worldwide.The experiment, conducted at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, involved warming five plots of 30 sq meters each by 2C using electric infrared radiators. The results showed a 150% increase in shrubs in warmed plots compared to those without heating. The surface soil dried by up to 20%, and shallow-rooted plants became stressed, leading to the extinction of some wildflowers.The implications extend far beyond Colorado. Alpine grasslands, which host 50% of European flora on just 3% of land, are particularly vulnerable. As temperatures rise, these ecosystems are likely to be irrevocably changed, leading to a loss of biodiversity. The phenomenon of 'shrubification' is not limited to mountain environments; it's also observed in Arctic landscapes, where shrub cover expanded by 2.2% each decade between 1984 and 2020.Conservation ecologists warn that while shrubs and trees bring benefits like shelter and carbon sequestration, their rapid expansion in cold environments is a symptom of climate change. The speed and scale of these changes are concerning, with potential knock-on impacts on the carbon cycle and ecosystem balance.As Lara Souza, lead researcher, notes, 'It's like flowers on steroids.' However, this vision of abundance is tinged with sadness at the prospect of irreversible changes to fragile landscapes. The future of these ecosystems, and many others like them, hangs in the balance as global temperatures continue to rise.

A recent Australian Senate inquiry has concluded that the country's climate change and energy 'information ecosystem' is fuelling conflict in communities, with misinformation and disinformation confusing the public, slowing renewable energy projects, and undermining policy responses to the climate crisis.The inquiry's final report, released on Tuesday evening, recommended that the government do more to make tech companies liable for 'psychosocial harms' spread on their platforms. It also suggested strengthening media literacy through the national curriculum and greater oversight when corporations engage with classrooms.The committee recommended more funding for research into mis- and disinformation, with a funding model to be developed for an independent effort to 'track hidden digital influence systems'. The Australian government should also sign a UN declaration, launched in Brazil in 2025, promising a series of actions aimed at combating climate mis- and dis-information.The use of artificial intelligence by groups looking to block progress on climate change was likely to further threaten the integrity of information the public received, the inquiry heard. The committee's Greens and Labor members endorsed the report, but some members felt it did not go far enough in addressing the issue.The inquiry's findings have significant implications for Australia's renewable energy future and its ability to address the climate crisis. As climate disinformation continues to evolve into a national security challenge, the Australian government must take urgent action to protect the integrity of information and promote a safe climate future.

According to a report by IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring firm, Pakistan was the world's smoggiest country in 2025 with concentrations of hazardous fine particles known as PM2.5 up to 13 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO's) recommended level.The report, which sourced data from 9,446 cities in 143 countries, regions and territories, found that only 13 countries and territories managed to keep their average fine particulate levels below the WHO guideline, an increase from seven in 2024.Pakistan's PM2.5 level was 67.3 microgrammes per cubic metre, significantly exceeding the WHO standard of 5 microgrammes per cubic metre. In comparison, Pakistan's average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 73.7 microgrammes.Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to higher likelihoods of neurodegenerative conditions, including dementia, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.Bangladesh and Tajikistan ranked second and third on IQAir's list of the most polluted countries while Chad, statistically the smoggiest country in 2024, was in fourth place in 2025.The report also noted that Loni, a city in northern India, was identified as the world's most polluted city in 2025 with average PM2.5 levels of 112.5 microgrammes per cubic metre.Globally, only 14 percent of cities met the WHO air quality standard in 2025, down from 17 percent a year earlier. The report highlighted that wildfires, driven by climate change, were a key factor behind worsening global air quality in 2025 as record levels of biomass burning in Europe and Canada released about 1,380 megatonnes of carbon.

Ofcom, the UK's broadcasting regulator, has reversed its decision not to investigate complaints of climate change denial on television and radio. This move comes after a letter from the Good Law Project (GLP) in January, which requested an explanation for the rejections. Ofcom will now reassess the complaints, which include comments from TalkTV and TalkRadio guests who made misleading statements about climate change. The complaints in question include a TalkTV guest who claimed climate change was a 'deliberate effort to create fake anxiety' and another guest who described Labour's energy policies as 'suicidal' and 'driven by pseudoscience'. Ofcom's reassessment led to the conclusion that its approach to 'due impartiality' in the broadcasts required reconsideration. Campaigners have welcomed Ofcom's decision, with the GLP spokesperson stating that 'rightwing channels have been allowed to spout dangerous climate lies, unchecked, for too long.' The GLP awaits the conclusion of the investigations, vowing to hold Ofcom accountable if it fails to take action against Talk's misinformation. Ofcom's broadcasting code states that factual programmes and that . The regulator has opened investigations into whether the TalkTV and TalkRadio programmes breached these rules. This development marks a significant shift in Ofcom's approach, as it had previously rejected over 1,000 climate-related complaints since 2020 without investigation. The regulator's decision comes amid increasing scrutiny from campaign groups and politicians, who argue that Ofcom is to deal with the scale of climate misinformation in the media.