NEWSROOM
UK study links air pollution to poor mental health
Moving to areas with high levels of air pollution may increase the risk of developing mental health problems, according to a new study based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Researchers examined health data from 14,800 people who moved homes within the city in early 2021, tracking prescriptions for depression and anxiety a year later.
People who had not previously been prescribed mental health medication that moved to areas with more particulate pollution were 11% more likely to receive a new prescription. The study, using the anonymised Connected Bradford health database, suggests environmental quality plays a direct role in mental wellbeing.
Air pollution has long been linked to physical health impacts such as asthma and cardiovascular disease, but emerging evidence now points to its role in mental health. In this study, the researchers accounted for local socioeconomic factors, including employment, crime and education levels.
Green space also appeared to affect outcomes. People who moved to areas with more green space saw improvements in mental health, but only when that space was of high quality. Poorly designed or unsafe parks may worsen wellbeing, the researchers found.
The findings echo previous research in the US, where moving to more polluted areas was associated with slower lung development in children and reduced life expectancy in older adults. The Bradford study highlights how poorer communities often end up in less healthy environments, reinforcing cycles of disadvantage and underlining the need for targeted urban investment and pollution reduction strategies.
Kelp offers natural defence against ocean acidification in Maine waters
A seaweed farm in Maine is showing how kelp could be a natural solution to ocean acidification, helping protect shellfish in one of the world’s fastest-warming marine environments.
In Casco Bay, seaweed and mussels are being cultivated side by side in a pioneering form of aquaculture. Scientists have found that kelp absorbs carbon dioxide from the water, reducing local acidity and boosting shell growth in nearby molluscs. Research led by the Island Institute and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences found mussels grown within kelp beds developed thicker shells than those grown in unprotected waters.
Ocean acidification, caused largely by the ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, is a growing threat to shellfish populations globally. Since the preindustrial era, ocean acidity has increased by more than 40%, and the Gulf of Maine is particularly at risk due to warming, coastal runoff and influxes of acidic waters from the north.
The technique now used at Portland’s Bangs Island Mussels, involves growing multiple species together to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem. Here, kelp serves as a valuable crop and also improves growing conditions for mussels.
With Maine’s shellfish industry supporting hundreds of jobs and contributing up to $100m annually, the success of kelp as a natural carbon sink could offer a scalable, eco-friendly strategy to protect marine livelihoods while mitigating the effects of climate change.
New maps reveal best areas to restore forests and cut carbon emissions
New research has identified 195 million hectares of land across the globe with high potential for reforestation that could remove up to 2.2bn tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year.
The study, published in Nature Communications, focused on regions where tree restoration would deliver strong climate benefits while avoiding harm to people or ecosystems. Priority areas include parts of the eastern United States, western Canada, Brazil, Colombia and large sections of Europe. These zones offer the best opportunity for regrowing dense, closed-canopy forests with minimal risk of social conflict or biodiversity disruption.
While earlier studies suggested much larger areas could be reforested, they often failed to account for unsuitable land types or the needs of communities that depend on existing landscapes. By contrast, the latest analysis takes a conservative approach, narrowing the focus to the most feasible and effective locations.
Even at reduced estimates, the potential carbon drawdown from reforestation remains substantial. The study’s findings are expected to guide policymakers and investors toward high-impact, socially responsible restoration efforts at a time when rapid and scalable climate solutions are increasingly urgent.
The map can be viewed here.
Japan develops plastic bag that dissolves in seawater
Japanese scientists have developed a new type of plastic that dissolves completely in seawater within hours, offering a potential breakthrough in the fight against ocean pollution. Created by the University of Tokyo and the RIKEN Centre for Emergent Matter Science, the material is designed to biodegrade in both saltwater and soil, unlike most existing plastics that leave behind harmful microplastics.
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with the UN Environment Programme warning that global plastic waste could triple in the next 15 years. Marine plastic debris causes significant harm to ecosystems, with an estimated 100,000 marine animals killed annually due to ingestion or entanglement. Microplastics have also been found in human blood, organs and placentas, raising health concerns.
Conventional biodegradable plastics often fail to break down completely in marine environments, leading to persistent pollution. The newly developed plastic is made by combining two small molecules to create a tough, flexible material that breaks down within two to three hours in seawater, depending on size and thickness. In soil, it degrades completely in just over 200 hours.
With only 9% of global plastic waste successfully recycled and the majority ending up in landfills or the natural environment, the need for alternative materials is urgent. While still in early development, the new plastic has already drawn interest from the packaging industry.
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