ETH Zurich has put an artificial sun into operation. In the room of a new laboratory, the sun shines at the push of a button, just as it does at midday in the Sahara or in January in Berlin.

Fiber optic cables offer seismologists new possibilities to investigate the interior of glaciers. One day, this method may even make it possible to predict glacial collapse.

The leading shipping associations intend to establish an international fund with a volume of five billion US dollars to drive forward the reduction of CO2 emissions – the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) announced.

Shipping leaves a large ecological footprint: the propulsion engines are largely dependent on energy sources that produce climate-damaging CO2 when burnt. In addition to hydrogen and methanol, ammonia is also considered a more climate-friendly substitute fuel.

A new web tool called “Carculator” determines the ecological footprint of vehicles with different types of propulsion. According to the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland, the calculations are intended to serve as a decision-making aid when purchasing a car.

Concrete has a huge carbon footprint. Researchers at MIT in the USA have now developed a method to make its production more climate-friendly. The secret ingredient: baking powder.

Under the ice, there is no GPS reception. But mapping the Arctic Ocean beneath the ice sheet is essential to understanding the effects of climate change. MIT has now developed a navigation method based on sound.

To slow down climate change, a new type of plant in Iceland filters CO2 from the air. This is then mixed with water and injected into basalt. There it petrifies.

Thomas Crowther believes that data is key to combating climate change. The British ecologist found out that there are many more trees on earth than scientists previously believed. But still, 3 trillion are not enough. The potential for reforestation is enormous, says the renowned expert. At the Crowther Lab in Zurich, he is developing nature-based solutions to restore the global ecosystem.

Biodiversity is declining rapidly. In order to recognise species worthy of protection in time, a research group from Fribourg wants to combine artificial intelligence, image data and citizen science.