COVID-19 and air pollution Researchers at the University of Birmingham are contributing to a developing global conversation about how the pandemic will impact on societies over short, medium and long time frames in both the global south and north.
Sustainable Polymers With the environmental impact of single-use plastics recognised as a major global challenge, Andrew Dove, Professor of Sustainable Polymer Chemistry at the University of Birmingham, has a clear vision of the future.
A Global History of Monoculture It is widely accepted that monoculture creates many environmental, social and economic issues, yet the world carries on producing our food in this way, despite a lack of evidence proving its benefit.
Forests of the future Mature oak trees will increase their rate of photosynthesis by up to a third in response to the raised CO2 levels expected to be the world average by about 2050, new research shows.
Sustainable Livelihoods From illegal poaching to the unsustainable plunder of fisheries, efforts are being made to end these practices - but who is making decisions on how to do that and based on what evidence?
Extreme Climates and Sports Science Increasing global temperatures and water shortages are two of the biggest climate change challenges facing the world, but the potentially deadly impact of extreme heat on human health are already being felt.
Atmospheric Pollution and Human Health Airborne pollution particles have a major impact on our planet's atmosphere, nowhere more so than the megacities of China – vast swathes of humanity living, working and breathing together in cities of up to 26m people.
Diagnosing our cities City-regions, much like the human body, are a complex coming together of systems and interdependencies, but we have failed to properly read cities.
Understanding heritage Understanding the role of heritage in the intricate relationship between people and places.
Cleaning up the skies The University of Birmingham is playing a vital role in providing the air-quality data and science to inform policy makers and protect the public health of citizens in the world's cities.
Interdisciplinary air science Air pollution has multiple causes, from architecture and engineering to social policy, environmental law and history. Dr Lauren Andres argues for an interdisciplinary mindset for researchers to tackle it.
Securing rare earths Our most important technologies depend on raw materials that are not evenly distributed around the world. Elements are at risk of supply disruptions, leaving import-dependent countries like the UK vulnerable.
Urban air pollution Researchers are looking at new ways of approaching health, social and economic problems associated with air pollution in the cities of India and other similarly polluted regions across the Global South.
Brake Dust and Brown Carbon From the busy highways of Britain to the icy waters of the Antarctic, environmental scientists at the University of Birmingham are exploring the impact of airborne particles on our planet's atmosphere.
Food security Experts at the University are helping to reduce the threat to humanity from food insecurity by safeguarding agrobiodiversity and improving its availability for crop enhancement.
Decarbonising heat Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is, undoubtedly, the key element in our global drive to tackle climate change. How can we use innovative technology to help decarbonise heat?
Microplastics in the Ganga Scientists from the University of Birmingham's Institute of Global Innovation have worked with colleagues from the UK and India to monitor the evolution of water pollution along the entire length of the Ganga.