Around The Web

The biodegradable shield is made from the same materials found in sea sand and coral skeletons and the world-first technology could be deployed wherever it's needed.

Environmental and health groups have called for the creation of a non-political federal agency with the power to rule on pollution levels - much like the Reserve Bank does for interest rates. David Shearman, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientific problems require evidence-led solutions. A new proposal to create a federal environmental decision-making body would take some of the politics out of climate policy. Peter C. Doherty, Laureate Professor, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Oil firm says gas could account for 10% of global energy consumption by end of century

Planes and trucks powered by hydrogen will be a crucial part of efforts to cut carbon emissions to safe levels, according to oil giant Shell.

For the first time, the Anglo Dutch firm, which is facing calls by activist shareholders to take stronger action on global warming, has mapped out how the world could hit the Paris climate deal’s target of keeping temperature rises below 2C.

Continue reading...

The Cambridge physicist's last broadcast interview covered gravitational waves from neutron star mergers.

The European Space Agency will work with Finland's ICEYE on ways to exploit its novel radar satellites.

More than 3.2bn people are already affected and the problem will worsen without rapid action, driving migration and conflict

Land degradation is undermining the wellbeing of two-fifths of humanity, raising the risks of migration and conflict, according to the most comprehensive global assessment of the problem to date.

The UN-backed report underscores the urgent need for consumers, companies and governments to rein in excessive consumption – particularly of beef – and for farmers to draw back from conversions of forests and wetlands, according to the authors.

Continue reading...

The UK’s pothole problem is getting worse and cyclists risk serious injury if they hit one. Here’s what to do if you find one and how to claim compensation if needed

The UK’s pothole problem is bad and getting worse, with a recent report by Alarm revealing 24,000 miles of road will need essential maintenance in the next year. While hitting one in a car may mean a trip to the garage, if you are cycling the outcome can be far worse.

A BBC 5 Live questionnaire found half of almost 5,000 cyclists had suffered a pothole-related accident, with 1,516 injured as a result, 207 of those seriously. More than 10% of respondents said they missed work because of a pothole crash, and 31% were put off cycling. This survey was backed up by a mass freedom of information report from Cycling UK, which revealed cycling pothole crash compensation claims to councils in England and Wales are 10 times higher than motoring claims because of the higher risk of personal injury.

Continue reading...

Wind, solar, and storage could meet 90–100% of America’s electricity needs

In order to combat climate change, we need to rapidly move from fossil fuel energy to clean, renewable energy. The two energy sources I am most interested in are wind and solar power; however, there are other sources that have great potential.

Some people doubt how much wind and solar can supply to a country’s electricity grid. This is a particularly challenging question to answer in part because both solar power and wind power fluctuate in both space and time. We all know solar panels work well during the day, when the sun shines – they don’t work so well at night. And wind turbines only send electrons when the wind is blowing.

Continue reading...

A new Starbucks provides convenience and caffeine to visitors, but to many it represents a trend of commercialism and 25,000 people petitioned to stop it from opening

Continue reading...

Mayor of London and green groups call for swift action after new research suggests government cuts are putting wildlife protections under threat

Sadiq Khan has accused ministers of stalling over the setting up of a new tough environmental watchdog body post Brexit.

The mayor of London spoke out as research by the country’s leading environmental bodies suggested protections to wildlife, water and air quality are under threat because of budget cuts of more than 55% over the last eight years.

Continue reading...

Dairy farms need female cows to produce milk but with little demand for male calves many farmers can’t afford to keep them beyond birth

The number of male calves being killed straight after birth is on the rise again, despite efforts by the dairy industry to end the practice known as ‘the dirty secret’.

A Guardian analysis shows that it can cost a farmer up to £30 per calf to sell it on for beef or veal, while early disposal costs just £9. A growing number of farmers feel compelled to take the latter option, with 95,000 killed on-farm in the most recent set of figures.

Continue reading...

Carpenter’s Lodge, Lincolnshire: Why was a kestrel so interested in the rising corner of a small rural overpass?

The climbing bend of an overpass, in a frigid easterly wind, early. I’ve come because of an eye-hook bird I’ve often seen hovering here. A kestrel – static in the air as if on a pole, above this corner in precisely the same place. More recently, I’ve seen a red kite showing interest too, wheeling and listing and riding the wind like its namesake. If it was a child’s kite, its line would have been tied to the barrier of this bend.

I’ve seen the kestrel for years, usually at dusk, against the sunset sky like a mad little spatter of dirt on a west-facing window. Wings frantic, head down, tail splayed. Watching.

Continue reading...

Artificial islands that are now mushrooming across the ocean are regarded as 'engineering marvels'. But, little attention is paid to how these human-made structures affect sea life. Katherine Dafforn, Senior Research Associate in Marine Ecology, UNSW Ana Bugnot, Research Associate, UNSW Eliza Heery, Research Fellow in Marine Ecology, National University of Singapore Mariana Mayer-Pinto, Senior Research Associate in marine ecology, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Gold plated or not, the idea that governments would agree to a write-down or rebate on network costs is laughable.

State governments now have an opportunity to reset the clock – to pay off the mistakes of the past and let consumers guide choices about our future grid.

High spot prices and better than expected output from new Kidston solar farm delivers revenue bonus - but it won't last.

This service allows Tesla owners to add up to 270 kilometres in just 30 minutes or a fuavll charge in just over an hour – providing time for a quick bite, grocery shop, or to explore the latest in fashion.

Last month, the Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers submitted a report calling into question impacts of climate change and tailpipe pollutants in an effort to undercut the need for fuel economy regulation.

Maker of one of world's most popular EVs, the Nissan Leaf, wants to roll out 8 new pure electric cars by 2022, sell 1m EVs a year.