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.
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.
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.
crafting-air-pollution-policies From London to Guangzhou, Nepal to Rwanda, air pollution is rising up the political agenda as evidence of its far-reaching health consequences increases.
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?
Decarbonising railways Researchers at the University of Birmingham are working to integrate hydrogen and battery power to the country's rolling stock to meet the government's ambitious decarbonisation targets.
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.
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.
Predicting extreme weather and water events Professor David Hannah, UNESCO Chair in water science at Birmingham University, is using predictive modelling to understand the interactions between climate and the hydrological cycle.
Resilience to drought As water shortages come more into the spotlight, researchers in the field have reached something of a watershed moment and have been challenged. How do you reduce the impact of human activity on hydrological cycles?
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.
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.
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 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.