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Grouse moors owners threaten government with legal action
Ministers were planning to ban environmentally harmful practice of burning old heather
Owners of large grouse moors threatened to take legal action against government ministers who had started developing plans to ban repeated heather burning, Whitehall documents have disclosed.
The landowners issued the threat after ministers started working on producing a law to ban them from carrying out the environmentally damaging practice on their moorland estates. The old heather is burned to expose new shoots – a source of food for grouse, whose numbers are boosted. The estates then charge people who want to shoot grouse.
Continue reading...Fates of humans and insects intertwined, warn scientists
Experts call for solutions to be enforced immediately to halt global population collapses
The “fates of humans and insects are intertwined”, scientists have said, with the huge declines reported in some places only the “tip of the iceberg”.
The warning has been issued by 25 experts from around the world, who acknowledge that little is known about most of the estimated 5.5 million insect species. However, enough was understood to warrant immediate action, they said, because waiting for better data would risk irreversible damage.
Continue reading...'Birdgirl' Mya-Rose Craig to get Bristol University honorary doctorate
Great Barrier Reef on brink of third major coral bleaching in five years, scientists warn
If ocean temperatures don’t drop in the next two weeks, heat stress could tip reef over into another widespread event
The Great Barrier Reef could be heading for a third major coral bleaching outbreak in the space of five years if high ocean temperatures in the region do not drop in the next two weeks, scientists and conservationists have warned.
Heat stress is already building across the world’s biggest reef system, with reports of patchy bleaching already occurring. But a major widespread event is not currently taking place.
Continue reading...'They define the continent': nearly 150 eucalypt species recommended for threatened list
Scientists’ call follows national assessment that finds gum trees in Western Australia wheat belt suffering worst rate of decline
An iconic Western Australian eucalypt, known for the size of flowers, is among almost 150 eucalpyt species scientists have recommended be listed as threatened under national environment laws.
The eucalyptus macrocarpa, commonly known as mottlecah, has the largest flowers of all eucalypt species. The bright red flowers can measure up to 10cm in diameter.
Continue reading...Climate crisis to AI: why firms and governments must change mindset | Mohamed El-Erian
As climate, privacy, globalisation and demographic developments accelerate, adjustments are needed
Firms and governments must increasingly internalise the possibility – indeed, I would argue, the overwhelming probability – of an acceleration of four secular developments that influence what business and political leaders do and how they do it. Decision-makers should think of these trends as waves, which, especially if they occur simultaneously, could feel like a tsunami for those who fail to adapt their thinking and practices in a timely manner.
The first and most important trend is climate change, which has evolved from a relatively distant concern, on which there is ample time to take remedial action, to an imminent and increasingly urgent threat.
Continue reading...Ghost glaciers: the transcendent Anthropocene – in pictures
Peter Funch’s latest photo-book, The Imperfect Atlas, explores human impact on the environment by using a technique invented at the height of the industrial revolution – RGB tri-colour separations
Firms making billions from ‘highly hazardous’ pesticides, analysis finds
Use of harmful chemicals is higher in poorer nations, according to data analysed by Unearthed
The world’s biggest pesticide companies make billions of dollars a year from chemicals found by independent authorities to pose high hazards to human health or the environment, according to an analysis by campaigners.
The research also found a higher proportion of these highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) in the companies’ sales in poorer nations than in rich ones. In India, 59% of sales were of HHPs in contrast to just 11% in the UK, according to the analysis.
Continue reading...South Korea must phase out coal within a decade to be in line with Paris target, researchers say
How you can help – not harm – wild animals recovering from bushfires
New AEMC rule boosts transparency on energy shortfalls
New rules released today will give power system businesses more detailed information on whether or not electricity shortfalls are looming.
The post New AEMC rule boosts transparency on energy shortfalls appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Labor set to reaffirm net zero emissions commitment, oppose funds for coal power
Labor leader Anthony Albanese set to use a major policy speech to re-confirm 2050 net zero emissions target, but no word on the party's interim targets.
The post Labor set to reaffirm net zero emissions commitment, oppose funds for coal power appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australian CEOs must rupture the political stagnation to lead the charge on climate action | Sam Mostyn
Zali Steggall’s bill is pragmatic and responsible and a goal we can all work towards to reduce our carbon emissions
The unprecedented, devastating bushfires that engulfed Australia – from even before our summer began – have forever disrupted our usually laconic and relaxed memories of Christmas and New Year.
Those memories are instead marked by anguish, anxiety, grief and consternation about our future.
Continue reading...Opportunity or electric car crash? AEMC calls for energy roadmap to EV future
Australian Energy Market Commission calls on industry to consider how it will best cater to – and harness the opportunities of – battery electric vehicles.
The post Opportunity or electric car crash? AEMC calls for energy roadmap to EV future appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Could hydrogen be the answer to wind and solar curtailment woes?
Renewable hydrogen production could emerge as a lifeline to wind and solar projects facing curtailment, as electrolyser costs continue to fall.
The post Could hydrogen be the answer to wind and solar curtailment woes? appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Conservation: Calls to protect species across borders
'Astonishing' blue whale numbers at South Georgia
Thousands of feral horses to be removed from Kosciuszko national park after bushfires
NSW government says relocation the priority but will not rule out some brumbies may be killed during largest removal of horses in park’s history
About 4,000 feral horses will be removed from Kosciuszko national park in New South Wales as part of an emergency response to protect the alpine ecosystem after large areas were devastated by bushfires.
The move would be the largest removal of horses in the park’s history, said the NSW environment minister, Matt Kean.
Continue reading...New methane data shows gas industry can no longer “hide behind burping cows”
Methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction have been substantially underreported, new research finds, putting more questions over Australia's gas expansion plans.
The post New methane data shows gas industry can no longer “hide behind burping cows” appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Origin profit hit by outages and solar uptake, battery plans hostage to UNGI
Coal and gas outages, and the rising impact of rooftop solar, clip Origin earnings, but its proposal to build a big battery in Victoria clouded by federal government intervention.
The post Origin profit hit by outages and solar uptake, battery plans hostage to UNGI appeared first on RenewEconomy.
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