Infection-causing fungi responsible for millions of deaths a year will spread significantly to new regions as the planet heats up, new research predicts — and the world is not prepared.
Fungi are absolutely everywhere. A vast kingdom of organisms, from mold to mushrooms, they grow in environments such as soil, compost and water. They play an important role in ecosystems but can have a devastating impact on human health: Fungal infections kill an estimated 2.5 million people a year, and a lack of data means that number could be far higher.
Yet we are still very far from understanding them, especially how these incredibly adaptable organisms will respond to a warming climate.
A team of scientists from Manchester University used computer simulations and forecasts to map the potential future spread of Aspergillus, a common group of fungi found all over the world that can cause aspergillosis, a life-threatening disease primarily affecting the lungs.
They found certain Aspergillus species will expand their range as the climate crisis intensifies, pushing into new parts of North America, Europe, China and Russia. The study, published this month, is currently being peer reviewed.
Read more at the link in our bio.
📷: Centers for Disease Control/Reuters
Innovation in sustainable construction is advancing from concept to large-scale implementation. The rise of biomethanol technology by Johnson Matthey in China demonstrates how low carbon design is becoming integral to industrial production, setting a new benchmark for reducing the embodied carbon in materials that feed global supply chains. The adoption of renewable building materials, supported by environmental product declarations (EPDs), strengthens resource efficiency in construction and brings the carbon footprint of construction closer to measurable transparency. These developments signify a decisive step toward net zero whole life carbon and carbon neutral construction practices.
The integration of artificial intelligence into sustainable building design is transforming how projects optimise material selection, site performance, and building lifecycle performance. Through whole life carbon assessment and lifecycle assessment, digital tools are enabling life cycle cost savings and identifying pathways for reducing the environmental impact of construction. This smart application of data reduces waste, encourages low embodied carbon materials, and reinforces sustainable material specification within both public and private sector projects.
Recent architectural projects such as the adaptive reuse of Bell’s Yard and Ash Mews in London embody the principles of circular economy in construction and eco-design for buildings. They exemplify circular construction strategies that prioritise end-of-life reuse in construction, showing how life cycle thinking in construction can achieve high performance within dense urban fabrics. This approach exemplifies sustainable architecture that supports sustainable urban development while lowering the carbon footprint through compact, efficient, and energy-efficient buildings.
Regulatory and policy frameworks remain inconsistent, yet market pressures are accelerating change. Investors now demand verifiable environmental sustainability in construction outcomes, replacing superficial metrics with whole life carbon verification and BREEAM v7 certification benchmarks. The emphasis on sustainable building practices, green infrastructure, and circular economy principles means that achieving net zero carbon buildings is no longer aspirational. It requires transparent accounting of embodied carbon, accountable procurement, and full life cycle performance evaluation. Sustainability now defines competitiveness, making eco-friendly construction and decarbonising the built environment not just moral imperatives but critical business strategies in achieving a resilient, low carbon building future.
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