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If you lived near a planned or active shale gas site and protested against it, we want to hear from you

On Saturday, in a watershed moment for environmentalists and community activists, the government halted fracking in England and told shale gas companies it would not support future fracking projects.

The decision, which drew a line under years of bitter opposition to the controversial extraction process, was taken after a new scientific study from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) warned it was not possible to rule out “unacceptable” consequences for those living near fracking sites.

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Pollution in Delhi has reached its worst levels so far this year, at almost 400 times the amount deemed healthy. A week on from Diwali, the thick brown smog that shrouded the city after the festival has shown no sign of shifting. One local said the pollution was so bad it burned his nose and throat, making simple activities such as jogging difficult

• Flights diverted in Delhi as toxic smog hits worst levels of 2019

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The World Health Organisation has declared climate change to be "the most significant threat of the 21st century." What impact is it having on Australians' health?

Groups including Greenpeace, WI and Oxfam call for faster action in letter to all parties

The next government must bring forward the target for reaching net-zero carbon emissions by five years to 2045, phase out diesel and petrol cars by 2030 instead of 2040, and start devoting at least 5% of all government spending to the climate and the restoration of the UK’s natural environment, a broad coalition of civil society groups has demanded.

They have written to the leaders of all the UK’s main political parties, citing the UK’s hosting of next year’s UN conference on the climate, known as COP26, as the catalyst for strengthening existing goals in line with scientific advice.

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The government has the activist group Market Forces squarely in its sights as it considers ways to stop environmental organisations persuading financial and other businesses to boycott companies in the… Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

After a series of natural and manmade disasters in the 1980s and 1990s, Jamaica lost 85% of its coral reefs and fish catches hugely declined. Many scientists thought the reefs had been permanently lost but today the corals and tropical fish are slowly reappearing, thanks to the work of local ‘gardeners’

Everton Simpson squints at the Caribbean from his motorboat, scanning the dazzling bands of colour for hints of what lies beneath. Emerald green indicates sandy bottoms. Sapphire blue lies above seagrass meadows. And deep indigo marks coral reefs. That is where he is heading. He steers the boat to an unmarked spot he knows as the “coral nursery”. Simpson started working as a “coral gardener” two years ago as part of grassroots efforts to bring Jamaica’s coral reefs back from the brink.

On the ocean floor, small coral fragments dangle from suspended ropes. Simpson and other divers tend to this underwater nursery as gardeners look after a flower bed, painstakingly plucking off snails and fireworms that feast on immature coral. When each stub grows to about the size of a human hand, Simpson collects them in his crate to individually transplant on to a reef. Even fast-growing coral species add just a few inches a year.

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Lavazza launch comes amid rising concern over where 20bn single-serve plastic pods end up

The first compostable one-cup coffee pods from a major manufacturer will go on sale this week in a battle to stop the 20bn pods used every year around the world from ending up in landfill.

Italian espresso giant Lavazza is aiming to replace its entire range of home use capsules with new eco-friendly ones – at the same retail price – by the end of the year.

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Is the 'Shop Local' movement doing more harm than good? Science and data are inextricably linked, but can you have one without the other? Why being lazy or idle is actually good for you and what Indigenous Tasmania's can teach us about looking after the land.

The price of grain is rising, dam levels have fallen, there's no more feed. Everywhere is dust, crops have been wiped. Australia is in the grip of the worst drought in 100 years, worse than many can remember.  On these once fertile farmlands cattle farmers, grain growers and others living through the drought are carrying the weight of the emotional, economic and psychological effects. New South Wales farmer Jason Maloney shares his deeply personal experience of trying to survive during the 'one in a hundred'

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Australia's federal energy ministers have declined invitations to dozens of solar and wind farm openings, but Taylor happy to attend launch of first gas plant since 2012.

The post Taylor attends opening of large generator for first time as minister – a gas plant appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Federal environment minister has instigated a review of environmental laws, aiming to limit the legal challenges to mining projects.

The post Environment minister Ley flags softening rules in another move to protect coal appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Fish may not have eyelids to close, but they sleep – and perhaps even dream. Culum Brown, Professor, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Victoria extends reach of solar battery rebate in effort to drum up interest from solar households, but only two taken up in latest offer.

The post Victoria extends solar battery rebate offer to another 80 postcodes appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia’s first inland surf lagoon next to Melbourne Airport will use on-site solar and a renewable energy power purchase agreement to power its urban swell.

The post Australia’s first urban surf park seeks power from wind and solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Rooftop solar installations smash previous record by 15 per cent in month of October, with NSW leading the way.

The post Rooftop solar smashes Australia installation record in October appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Fossil records suggest the species could be relocated from alpine areas to lowland rainforests

Researchers studying fossil records say they have come up with an innovative approach to try to save the mountain pygmy possum, an Australian species under serious threat due to global heating.

Scientists from the University of New South Wales have used a new paper to argue for the translocation of the species from its current habitat in the alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales into lowland rainforests.

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AEMO gives early warning for more network losses for solar and wind farms in western Victoria and NSW, although the news is better in other parts of the grid.

The post Solar farms warned of worsening network losses in NSW, Victoria appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Peak Queensland tourism bodies oppose ‘unnecessary’ drum lines and say more research needed into shark behaviour

Peak bodies representing the Queensland tourism industry have resisted calls for changes to Great Barrier Reef protection legislation to allow for lethal shark control measures.

The strong statement, co-signed by several tourism bodies, said any such move would be an “unnecessary step” and could affect the reef’s world heritage status.

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Some of us use a lot of products on our bodies, some don’t. But most of the things we do use are a bit problematic. They take resources to make, they often come in plastic containers, and it can be hard to recycle them at the end of their lives. Also, what on earth is in them? In the latest episode of Hands On, Hilary Harper realises she’ll need to rethink the way she shops and lives if she wants to change this.

Families still struggling to find good quality childcare for their kids that's easy for them to use. Hilary learns how to make cosmetics from scratch to save the planet.