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Newly revealed documents show the Commonwealth government approved a controversial tourism plan for Tasmania's World Heritage wilderness without assessing it against federal conservation legislation. Brendan Gogarty, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Tasmania Nick Fitzgerald, PhD candidate, University of Tasmania Phillipa C. McCormack, Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Malaria can be transmitted from humans to gorillas, with devastating effects. Marissa Parrott, Reproductive Biologist, Wildlife Conservation & Science, Zoos Victoria, and Honorary Research Associate, BioSciences, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Beekeepers are sounding the alarm about the latest developments in genetically modified pollinators. By Bernhard Warner

The spring of 2008 was brutal for Europe’s honeybees. In late April and early May, during the corn-planting season, dismayed beekeepers in Germany’s upper Rhine valley looked on as whole colonies perished. Millions of bees died. France, the Netherlands and Italy reported big losses, but in Germany the incident took on the urgency of a national crisis. “It was a disaster,” recalled Walter Haefeker, German president of the European Professional Beekeepers Association. “The government had to set up containers along the autobahn where beekeepers could dump their hives.”

An investigation in July of that year concluded that the bees in Germany died of mass poisoning by the pesticide clothianidin, which can be 10,000 times more potent than DDT. In the months leading up to the bee crisis, clothianidin, developed by Bayer Crop Science from a class of insecticides called neonicotinoids, had been used up and down the Rhine following an outbreak of corn rootworm. The pesticide is designed to attack the nervous system of crop-munching pests, but studies have shown it can be harmful to insects such as the European honeybee. It muddles the bees’ super-acute sense of direction and upsets their feeding habits, while it can also alter the queen’s reproductive anatomy and sterilise males. As contaminated beehives piled up, Bayer paid €2m (£1.76m) into a compensation fund for beekeepers in the affected area, but offered no admission of guilt.

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Battery storage has stolen the limelight as Australia focuses on its storage needs for a renewables-dominated grid. But pumped hydro is about to make an even bigger splash.

The post Can pumped hydro grab centre stage from battery storage? appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A snapshot of the renewables action happening across Australia shows states and territories blitzing the field, in spite of current federal inaction.

The post States and territories lead way on renewables, climate appeared first on RenewEconomy.

ARENA back establishment of centre for information, training and advice on procuring clean energy off-take deals, as Australia's corporate PPA market starts to take off.

The post ARENA backs 5GW wind and solar push for business and local government appeared first on RenewEconomy.

US economist argues Australia should be exporting solar, not coal, and says Coalition government is backing fossil fuel interests. "What is the matter with these people?"

The post Coalition backing “big coal” over climate, says Sachs: “Unbelievably irresponsible” appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Proposed bill would require Washington D.C. utilities to source 100? of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2032.

The post Washington DC pushes 100% renewable energy bill appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The 200MW Kiamal solar farm near Ouyen will be the biggest in Victoria, and the first in Australia to be built with synchronous condensers.

The post Victoria’s largest solar farm goes ahead after “solving” connection dilemma appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Meet the baby reptile that is shedding new light on the giants that lived at the time of T. rex.

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

Australia’s leading sustainability organisation, the Alternative Technology Association, has changed its name to Renew.

The post Leading sustainability organisation undergoes renewal appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The physical effects of being in space offer a unique insight into how our bodies work on Earth.

Ships are the lifeblood of global trade, but their fuel is highly polluting. What's the answer?

There's a looming crisis over the world's appetite for meat. This chicken nugget may be the answer.

Can chicken nuggets grown in a lab actually taste like... well... chicken? A taste test on lab-grown meat.

We have an efficiency rating on our white goods. Why not on our foods? A new labelling system could change the relationship between farmers and shoppers.

The Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) is looking for one new team member to strengthen its research direction team.  

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated record of success in managing the life-cycle of grants from proposal development through close-out. She or he will be meticulous and analytical, have strong written and verbal communication skills, and an ability to work in a self-directed manner

International Consultant, Benefit Sharing and REDD+ Fund Management