A recent study from ETH Zürich says that planting trees is one of the best ways to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, but a number of climate experts have poked holes in the study's approach. Paul Leadley — a professor of ecology at the University of Paris-Saclay — is one of them. Leadley explains that there is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to deciding what types of trees to plant.

All around the Mediterranean, ports are struggling to cope with a growing number of cruise liners. In an industry unlikely to slow down anytime soon, residents concerned about cruise ships' environmental impacts are looking for different ways to get the problem under control.

Between 1,000 and 3,000 tons of plastic are estimated to be floating in the Mediterranean Sea. While Lebanon only boasts a tiny fraction of Mediterranean coastline, the country makes a pretty significant contribution to its pollution. There have been recent efforts to clean up Beirut's beaches, but do they symbolize a new era or are they just a government public relations campaign?

East Africa's population is on the rise. It’s expected to nearly double in the next three decades, growing to 870 million. With more people, comes the need for more homes, roads, shops — essentially, more of everything. As the construction industry booms in East Africa, so does the demand for building materials. This is placing a heavy burden on one of the earth's most ubiquitous resources: sand.

On a voyage from Antarctica to Bremerhaven, the Polarstern's team of scientists and students are trying to better understand why water temperatures are rising in the deep ocean. The students (all talented scientists themselves) are learning how to monitor changes in the ocean and climate — methods they can take to their home countries, which are already feeling the impacts of climate change.

Back in 1960, at the age of 26, Jane Goodall ventured to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania to study chimpanzees. Her discoveries were groundbreaking and her approach to fieldwork was revolutionary. Since then, Goodall has become a tireless advocate for conservation, in addition to being one of the world's best-known primatologists. She now travels the world with her message of hope.

Queimada Grande is densely populated by poisonous snakes. People are strictly forbidden from visiting the 'Snake Island' off the Brazilian coast. Reports that there is at least one snake per square meter on the small island may be greatly exaggerated. Nonetheless, it remains one of the world's scariest and most mysterious places.

Worldwide, 7000 species suffer from wildlife trafficking. One species threatened with extinction is the pangolin — a shy, nocturnal creature found in Africa and parts of Asia. Resembling an armored anteater, pangolins are ruthlessly hunted for their scales, which are highly sought after in countries like China and Vietnam.

What happens when an animal is introduced to a new area and then wreaks havoc on the local landscape? The furry critters known as nutria are not native in Germany or in the US. But nutria were once a major source of fur in both countries. Now, they’re an invasive nuisance.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the Dry Corridor is experiencing one of the worst droughts in the last ten years, with over 3.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. In Nicaragua, farmers are now learning to adapt to the ever harsher climate conditions by monitoring rainfall. Lise Josefsen Hermann went to explore. Her report is presented by Samantha Baker.