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Tiny automated machines could soon take care of the entire growing process. Fewer chemicals, more efficient – where’s the downside?

In a quiet corner of rural Hampshire, a robot called Rachel is pootling around an overgrown field. With bright orange casing and a smartphone clipped to her back end, she looks like a cross between an expensive toy and the kind of rover used on space missions. Up close, she has four USB ports, a disc-like GPS receiver, and the nuts and bolts of a system called Lidar, which enables her to orient herself using laser beams. She cost around £2,000 to make.

Every three seconds, Rachel takes a closeup photograph of the plants and soil around her, which will build into a forensic map of the field and the wider farm beyond. After 20 minutes or so of this, she is momentarily disturbed by two of the farm’s dogs, unsure what to make of her.

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The Poralia rufescens is swimming off the coast of southern California in the Pacific Ocean.

Scheme launched by ethical investment platform Abundance offers 12% interest

A “green” investment that pays 12% interest and involves putting your money into a major tidal energy project was launched this week.

But that high rate indicates this is a great deal riskier than putting your money into a high street savings account, with no compensation if things go wrong. So this is not one for the risk-averse.

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Chinese ban on waste imports is significantly affecting UK councils’ ability to collect and recycle plastic

Major problems in the plastic recycling industry are costing local councils in England up to £500,000 extra a year, as they struggle to deal with the continuing fallout from import bans imposed by countries who are no longer able to take the UK’s waste.

A survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) revealed nearly half of councils who responded (52) say China’s ban is having a significant impact on their ability to collect and recycle plastic, due to rising costs. Fourteen councils across the country say their recycling costs have increased by an average of half a million pounds a year, in part because of rising processing charges per tonne.

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The survival of one of the rarest butterflies in the world is entirely reliant on a ant.

The sci-fi plan would use giant mirrors in space to light city streets, but scientists are sceptical.

Something fishy is happening with the world's finite resources.

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

EUAs ended slightly lower on Friday but held above key trend support and near €20 to post a small weekly loss.

Council in Kent told that disturbing the whale would breach wildlife law

It has attracted plenty of spectators during its stay. But Benny the lost beluga whale, who took up residence in the Thames last month, may end up leaving the crowds disappointed after it was announced that a fireworks display would have to be postponed to protect him.

About 15,000 people were expected to gather for the annual bonfire night celebrations in Gravesend, Kent, on 2 November to see a display set off from a barge on the river.

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Due to growth, South Pole is looking for a Business Development Director to focus on strengthening its worldwide market leading position in Sustainability and Climate Change mitigation.

As part of the Key Account Management team you will be responsible for managing a portfolio of prestigious clients and supporting new business development at South Pole.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) on Friday revised its November auction to include an additional 1.2 million Vintage 2016 allowances that had previously been omitted.

Song meters help save a critically endangered bird; regional youth strut their stuff at an arts workshop; and flannel flowers put on a dazzling display.

Data showing record open interest on EU carbon allowance futures and options this year is misleading, Carbon Pulse has learned, with the potential volume to be delivered later this year far below what one exchange is currently reporting, leading to anger amongst market participants.

An international hydroelectric project set to deliver clean energy to Massachusetts should not proceed, because it may actually contribute to increased GHG emissions, according to a new report commissioned by three Maine environmental groups.

California's Air Resources Board (ARB) postponed its approval of cap-and-trade amendments this week as it grapples with a flood of industry questions about proposed price band levels and political issues tied to the midterm elections, regulatory sources said.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) board wrangled for hours on Friday as nations debated whether to give climate aid to an oil-rich Gulf state.

World body urges Conservative government to ‘step up and show leadership’ on the air pollution crisis

The UK government is putting the health of millions of its citizens at risk by failing to tackle the country’s air pollution crisis, according the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights and the environment.

David Boyd said people’s right to breathe clean air was being violated in the UK and warned the crisis was responsible for up to 50,000 deaths – and devastating the lives of “many millions” more in towns and cities across the country.

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A 1,000-metre spider web and a hellbender devouring a snake are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world

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