plants

Climate activists are protesting against AI data centers and Amazon's plan to build the largest gas power plant in the United States. Campaigners argue that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is driving a surge in electricity demand that is being met with new fossil fuel plants rather than clean energy. The story highlights growing friction between the tech industry's buildout and climate commitments.

Farmers are increasingly combining solar panels with agriculture, using the land beneath and around panels to grow crops or graze sheep. The approach, known as agrivoltaics, lets landowners earn income from both energy and food production while shading plants and livestock from harsh sun. Coverage highlights growing interest as farmers seek to diversify revenue and solar developers seek community-friendly land use.

University of Arizona researchers analysing satellite data report that the world's drylands are greening in increasingly extreme boom-and-bust cycles, with short pulses of vegetation growth followed by sharp crashes. The findings suggest that rising plant growth in arid regions masks growing instability, which could undermine assumptions about how dryland ecosystems will respond to climate change.

Scientists are examining whether species can adapt genetically quickly enough to keep pace with rapid climate change. The core concern is that rising temperatures and shifting habitats are outpacing evolutionary change for many plants and animals, raising questions about extinction risks and which species may be able to adapt in time.

Elon Musk and Intel are reportedly partnering to build a semiconductor factory that would be larger than the Pentagon, Apple Park and the Mall of America combined. The scale of the proposed plant dwarfs some of the most iconic large buildings and campuses in the United States, underscoring the growing size of chip manufacturing facilities as demand for semiconductors surges. Details on the location, investment amount and timeline have not been confirmed.

Algae concentrations have fallen along Israel's Mediterranean coastline, but desalination plants are still operating only partially. The facilities had reportedly scaled back activity in response to the algal bloom, and operators have not yet returned to full capacity despite improving conditions. The situation has drawn attention because desalination supplies much of Israel's drinking water, and any prolonged reduction in output raises concerns about water supply.

A new report finds that most health professionals believe key plant-based foods are underrepresented in official dietary guidelines. Respondents argue staples such as legumes, nuts, and whole grains deserve a larger place in national nutrition advice, citing growing evidence of health and environmental benefits. The findings have prompted debate among nutrition experts about how quickly official guidance should shift toward more plant-forward recommendations.

Researchers at the New York Botanical Garden have published a series of papers in the journal Plants, People, Planet arguing that growing threats to plant diversity are narrowing the options for building healthier, more resilient food systems. The papers explain why food plant diversity matters and set out a vision for collaboration between scientists, growers and communities to protect it. The warning highlights how the loss of crop varieties and wild relatives could undermine global food security.