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With well-funded research, cold fusion has the potential to provide us with a sustainable source of energy, writes Prof Brian Josephson

Tim Flannery (The age of the megafire is here, and it’s a call to action, Journal, 7 February) writes: “As far as swift climate action is concerned, all good choices have gone up in smoke”.

That may not be the case, however. There has been abundant support by now for the claim made by Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons in 1989 to have observed nuclear fusion at ordinary temperatures, but the hope that such a fossil-fuel-free process might contribute usefully to energy production has not been fulfilled because it is very unpredictable, and we do not as yet know the conditions needed to produce large amounts of energy. Suitably funded research on a large scale might lead to a resolution of this issue.
Prof Brian Josephson
Emeritus professor of physics, University of Cambridge

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Experts are developing a better knowledge of the brain by studying tissue left over from surgery.

Position: Sourcing Manager Duty Station: Bad Vilbel, Hessen, Germany Deadline for Application: 31 March 2020

• Average global temperature 2.5F above 20th-century average
• Antarctic has begun February with several temperature spikes

Last month was the hottest January on record over the world’s land and ocean surfaces, with average temperatures exceeding anything in the 141 years of data held by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Related: Antarctic temperature rises above 20C for first time on record

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Position: Programme Director, Climate and Sustainability Duty Station: London, England, UK Deadline for Application: 28 February 2020

• Effects of 2010 BP oil spill were 30% larger than calculated
• Satellite images unable to detect full extent of pollution in Gulf

The environmental impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico a decade ago was much worse than previously believed, according to a new study.

Related: Deepwater Horizon disaster altered building blocks of ocean life

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California Carbon Allowance (CCA) prices slid this week as traders adjusted positions ahead of the first WCI auction of 2020, while a significant reaction in RGGI Allowances (RGAs) failed to materialise after Virginia legislators approved a bill to implement the state’s power sector ETS.

Position: Program Officer, Climate Risk Management and Resilience Duty Station: Washington D.C., US Deadline for Application: until suitable applicant is found

Position: Intern Duty Station: Berlin, Germany Deadline for Application: 16 March 2020

Position: Sustainability Consultant Duty Station: Madrid, Spain Deadline for Application: 15 March 2020

Position: Carbon Credit Sourcing Manager Duty Station: Madrid, Spain Deadline for Application: 15 March 2020

The Policy Analyst (Climate Change and Environment) will be fully integrated in the community of practice of climate change advisors and experts already working at national, regional and HQ levels. It is expected that workplans and priorities will be fully aligned with corporate global and regional goals.

Driver Andy Green describes what needs to be done to achieve a land speed record.

An expert identified the tiny gnats from tens of thousands of creatures caught in an insect trap.

As governments dither and emissions rise, pressure will be on UK at UN climate summit

Alok Sharma, the new president of the Cop26 climate conference to be held in Glasgow in November, has experience of working closely with developing countries on the climate crisis in his former role as secretary for international development.

This may be valuable in helping him forge the “grand coalition” that experts say is needed to break the deadlock on international climate action.

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Former international development minister Alok Sharma has been named UK climate and energy minister and will preside over this year’s UN climate talks, Downing Street announced Thursday as part of a wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle that featured a number of surprises.

The US space agency is looking for new astronauts to join future missions to the Moon and Mars.

The UK government's new business secretary will also lead this year's big UN climate meeting.

Surprise choice has poor record on Commons votes affecting the environment

• Cabinet reshuffle – latest news

Alok Sharma, the former international development secretary, is the surprise choice to take on the role of president of the crunch UN climate talks to be hosted by the UK this November.

He has also been made business secretary as part of Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle.

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Activism can be lonely in rural areas, but social media lets lone children’s voices be amplified

In a remote village in north Norfolk, nine-year-old Amelia Bradbury has been standing alone outside her school gates every Friday for months. Like hundreds of thousands of young people across the world, she is following Greta Thunberg’s lead and campaigning for action on the climate crisis – but, far from any of the big city demonstrations, she’s having to go it alone.

“I was quite scared the first time because no one was doing it with me,” says Amelia. “But I’m doing this because I care about something. I really want people to listen to me and to make a difference.”

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