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As the coronavirus lockdown makes wildlife more visible in our cities, biodiversity reporter Patrick Greenfield speaks to ecologist Dr Rana El-Sabaawi and evolutionary biologist Prof Menno Schilthuizen about what this means for the future of cities and how urban dwellers can become more involved with nature

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Fleet of 120 electric taxis offering hygienic transport alternative will launch in Sydney in coming weeks, the first in planned 2,000 fleet as part of a "Clean Air Taxi" initiative by new e-taxi platform ETaxiCo.

The post Zero contact and zero emissions: “Covid safe” electric taxis to launch in Sydney appeared first on RenewEconomy.

China on Wednesday promoted vice minister Huang Runqiu to be its new ecology and environment (MEE) minister, a move observers say means preparation work for the national carbon market can continue but limits the ministry’s ability to shape policy.

The German Society for Nature Photography (GDT) has selected its Nature Photographer of the Year 2020.

The winning image is part of a series of photographs taken in Dortmund’s north by Peter Lindel. Compared with many international nature photography hot spots, this region has little to offer. Lindel spent a lot of time and blood, sweat and tears working on this project on his doorstep. It is a beautiful statement about the long-term exploration of a single species and region.

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Fears pollution affecting cognition as crabs exposed to polyethylene struggle to select good homes

When it comes to moving home, hermit crabs are experts, often swapping shells for the optimal abode.

But now researchers have found that exposure to microplastics disrupts this key behaviour. The finds are the latest to suggest such pollution could be having an impact on the world’s marine creatures.

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Hannah Heath, Chief Strategy Officer, Nectr (Hanwha Energy), has been named the recipient of the 2020 Women in Renewables Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) scholarship.

The post Energy start-up executive awarded 2020 Women in Renewables AICD scholarship appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Massive $300M renewable hydrogen project secures investment funding set to accelerate Australia's green hydrogen capabilities.

The post Massive hydrogen project gets green light after securing $300m investment appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Scientists predict the explosive behaviour of two supermassive black holes almost to the hour.

This crisis is a chance to rebuild our economy for the good of humanity. Let’s bail out the living world, not its destroyers

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Do Not Resuscitate. This tag should be attached to the oil, airline and car industries. Governments should provide financial support to company workers while refashioning the economy to provide new jobs in different sectors. They should prop up only those sectors that will help secure the survival of humanity and the rest of the living world.

They should either buy up the dirty industries and turn them towards clean technologies, or do what they often call for but never really want: let the market decide. In other words, allow these companies to fail.

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Humans have an innate affinity with nature. Embracing this in your home while locked down may improve your productivity and health. Cris Brack, Associate Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Aini Jasmin Ghazalli, Graduate student Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's emissions in 2019 fell to their lowest level in four years, but we are still a long way from the cuts needed to meet the Paris Agreement targets.

The post Emissions fall for first time since 2015, as renewables set new records appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The 57MW Cherry Tree wind farm near Seymour delivers first power to the grid to grid in Victoria, just under two months after last of the project’s turbines were installed.

The post Cherry Tree wind farm delivers first generation to Victorian grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Angus Taylor again refuses to details of advice to government about energy and emissions policies, refusing a RenewEconomy FOI request.

The post Taylor, department refuse to release findings of ‘expert panel’ into emissions reductions appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Abu Dhabi Power Corp lays claim to “world’s lowest tariff” for solar power, with competitive bids for 2GW Al Dhafra project setting a price at roughly $A0.02/kWh.

The post Stunning record low bid of US 1.35 cents/kWh wins Abu Dhabi solar auction appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Simec Atlantis has completed the installation of mammoth tidal stream turbine, boasting a rotor diameter of 18 metres, in the Zhoushan archipelago in China.

The post Simec Atlantis completes “mammoth” tidal turbine build in Wuhan appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

Energy minister Angus Taylor said "too much" wind and solar would push up prices. Experience, and new modelling, shows the opposite is true.

The post Recipe for cheaper electricity? Try 90 per cent renewables by 2040 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Great Britain has run for a new record of 18 days, six hours and 15 minutes without burning coal to generate electricity – and counting – as the coronavirus lockdown cuts demand by nearly 20%.

The post Analysis: Great Britain hits coal-free electricity record amid coronavirus lockdown appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The EU ETS is 'fit for purpose' to deliver the bloc's current climate objectives, even despite the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, but it will struggle to deliver the long-term ambitions under the European Green Deal in its current shape, according to a report released Tuesday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday reiterated her support for a more ambitious EU emissions reduction target for 2030, and along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged fellow lawmakers to ensure that the bloc’s Green Deal is a central and guiding component of Europe’s post-coronavirus recovery plan.