Over the years, scientists have linked climate change to rising sea levels, extreme weather and melting polar ice caps.

But as the mercury rises, urban rat populations too are increasing.

In the first research of its kind, scientists found that 11 of 16 cities studied had significant increasing trends in rat numbers, including Washington DC, New York, and Amsterdam. While the new study sheds light on the forces that may influence urban rat populations, cities remain highly complex environments.

On this episode of Climate Connections, Dr Jonathan Richardson, Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Richmond, who led the research, shares his insights.

Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)
Voiced by: Audrey Siek
Photo credits: University of Richmond; AP/Richard Drew
Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors

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Fungi represent an entire kingdom of life on Earth. In fact, millions of species of fungi share our space on this planet. And since soil contains more than three times as much carbon as the atmosphere, what fungi do in the soil could dramatically affect climate change.

One group of fungi in particular - the mycorrhizal fungi - are quietly, but surely, doing us a huge climate favour behind-the-scenes, or in their case, underground. These fungi help forests absorb CO2 pollution, which can in turn contribute to delaying the effects of climate change.

But, how has the effects of climate change impacted mycorrhizal fungi and can such fungi be restored in degraded parts of forests and cities?

On this episode of Climate Connections, Jennifer Bhatnagar, Associate Professor of Biology at Boston University, who has been studying fungi, shares her insights.

Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)
Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar
Photo credits: CID Bio-Science
Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors

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The soil beneath our feet is often forgotten and sometimes thought to be limitless and indestructible. But in fact, soil is key to feeding people, and in preserving the planet we live in.

However, data by the Food and Agricultural Organisation shows that over 33% of soils worldwide are already degraded, and if nothing is done to preserve it, a shocking 90% of the world’s soil will be degraded by 2050.

On this episode of Climate Connections, Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science, The Ohio State University - shares the secrets of the humble soil, which he dedicated over five decades to study, and what can be done to conserve and restore this precious resource.

Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)
Voiced by: Audrey Siek
Photo credits: Ohio State Alumni Magazine, Rattan Lal
Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors

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