22 July, 2025

Martha Henriques As summer temperatures soar, some buildings stay more bearable than others. The historic streets of Old Dubai were built with several passive cooling strategies that have helped keep this desert city liveable. Today, the same techniques are inspiring climate-resilient architecture, as Soumya Gayatri writes. Plus: the joyful return of a Filipino sea cucumber.

CLIMATE CONVERSATION The 'desert-proof' city designed for heat The wind towers of Old Dubai helped funnel air through buildings to cool them. Credit: Soumya Gayatri Last year, temperatures in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates reached a scorching 51C (124F). Reliance on air conditioning in these extreme temperatures is widespread, and accounts for up to 70% of electricity consumption in the country during the summer months.  ‌ Yet in the historic streets of Old Dubai, the 400-year-old buildings remain remarkably resilient to the heat – even before the AC is switched on. The buildings use passive cooling techniques, which help keep the neighbourhood cool. The same techniques are being revived by architects today to help reduce reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning. ‌ To see how this historic city keeps cool despite extreme temperatures, click the button below.  Read more

THE BIG PICTURE A sea cucumber's joyful return The sea cucumber may bear an uncanny resemblance to a large pickle, but it is in fact an animal. Credit: Maria Louella Tinio The sea cucumber is sometimes known as the "janitor of the sea" for its ability to clean detritus from the seafloor. In the Philippines, over-harvesting has put pressure on this slow-growing, slow-moving animal. But some communities are fighting back. In the town of Bolinao, a group of women have organised a guard to protect their local sea cucumbers from poaching. ‌ To meet the women who help sea cucumbers thrive, click the button below. Read more

CLIMATE QUIZ What can't fungi do? A. Digest plastic B. Filter pollutants from water C. Sequester carbon from the air using photosynthesis Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.

MORE CLIMATE FROM THE BBC Cities around the world sinking at 'worrying speed' Rising sea levels and sinking land are putting many major coastal cities at risk of severe subsidence.   Keep reading >‌ Green tech is making its own environmental crisis Soaring demand for lithium raises the question: is the world's race to decarbonise stoking another environmental problem?   Keep reading >‌ South Africa's search for steady power More affordable solar power options are helping many South Africans access reliable clean power.   Keep reading >