In 1804, our world's population reached the one-billion mark. Since then, it has grown exponentially to 7.8 billion today. 

The United Nations had predicted that this number would rise to a shocking 10.8 billion people by the end of this century. However, recent studies have found that the world population estimate by 2100 would be two billion less, at 8.8 billion.

Centuries ago, the Nile River served as a common ground for Gods, pharaohs, merchants, and commoners.

Today, the longest river in the world is a hotspot for contention, as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) nears completion.

Built over the Blue Nile, GERD will be Africa’s largest hydroelectric power plant - a source of great national pride for Ethiopia. However, Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia have failed to reach an agreement on how to regulate water flow from the GERD.

Animals are undoubtedly one of the most unique and diverse species on our planet. However, many species, including the Javan rhino, are critically endangered.

Recently, a video posted by Indonesia’s environment minister, Siti Nurbaya Baker, captured one of these rare Javan rhinos happily rolling around the muddy base of a waterfall.

This footage provides a glimpse into the life of this wonderful but rare species. Let's look at Javan rhinos and why they are endangered.

A Keystone Species

Not all superheroes wear capes. Instead, Diego the Tortoise sports his mighty shell. But cape or no cape, he still managed to save his entire species from extinction!

Diego is a Hood Island giant tortoise who, beginning in 1976, fathered roughly 900 tortoise babies as part of a breeding program to save his species. At the time, there were only 15 known Hood Island tortoises left. Because of Diego’s efforts, that number is now more than 2000 in the wild. 

Did you know that the oldest tree is a 5000-year old bristlecone pine located in the forests of Nevada?

Unfortunately, many of these precious old-growth trees are starting to disappear from our planet.

According to a recent study published in the journal Science, climate change, deforestation, and rising temperatures have caused more than 30% of old-growth trees to die. The term old-growth refers to trees that are 150 years or older.

Bumblebees work hard. They are a great pollinator as they travel from flower to flower, 400 times faster than the average honey bee. 

Perhaps because of climate change, bumblebees are waking up from their hibernation slumber earlier and earlier -- before flowers have bloomed.

In search of pollen, bumblebees will actually make little moon-shaped cuts in plant leaves to make the plant flower up to 30 days earlier than normal. 

Pollination: A Mutual Relationship

When contemplating the common inhabitants of places like Antarctica or the North Pole, you probably think of penguins, polar bears, and walruses.

However, there are more peculiar inhabitants of such icy ecosystems than you may realize. One such inhabitant is a glacier mouse.

When you hear of the Vikings, you might think of the brave explorers who wore horned helmets and bravely sailed across the Atlantic.

Throughout history, these adventurers have been romanticized in creative works inspired by Norse mythology - a notable character is Thor. But while they were notorious for their plundering, the Vikings were clever traders as well.