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Large filter feeders, such as baleen whales and basking sharks, could be particularly at risk from ingesting the tiny plastic particles, say scientists

Whales, some sharks and other marine species such as rays are increasingly at risk from microplastics in the oceans, a new study suggests.

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5 February 1918 The sap is running, forcing on new life. In the withy bed the hares in couples, weeks before their proverbial date for madness, dodge round the clumps, while a ‘joyous clamour’ rises from the mere

The gay cock chaffinch, in smart, nuptial garments, rattles out repeated challenges to a distant rival, who strives to answer in as sprightly terms; it began to sing here three days ago at least. The blackbird this morning pipes airs and variations with such skill and finish that we can hardly realise that he has only just begun to sing.

The spring-like weather, which has brought out the semi-wild snowdrops in a Cheshire wood, has dotted the yellow crocuses about our gardens, awakened the sleepy bees and sent them to the winter aconites, has stirred their blood.

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Ilkley, West Yorkshire: The Cow and the Calf have become monuments to our longing to anchor ourselves in the world

On the horizons surrounding Wharfedale, snow, sky and space are warring in spectacular ways; white clouds roll over the white moors like billows of steam, vaporising the distinction between both, and the sun occasionally provides episodes of dazzling icy brightness. Winter’s sorcery has turned Rombald’s Moor into a convincing impression of blizzard-swept Arctic tundra a few miles from the middle of Bradford. Undeterred, the weekend visitors are out in force around the great millstone grit forms of the Cow and Calf above Ilkley.

Like many of the tors, outcrops and escarpments dotting the gritstone Pennines, this imposing crag and its smaller counterpart together act as a natural gathering point for the surrounding civilisation. Climbers climb them; children instinctively recognise them as venues for play; adults stride to the lip of boulders and strike noble poses for phone cameras. Spend any time people-watching at the nearby Brimham Rocks, Almscliffe Crag or the Chevin and see further evidence of how we are innately drawn towards wild rock formations.

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Scientists call for monitoring of plastic pollution risks to whales, sharks and rays that strain water to feed.

Incident in January shows how Tesla big battery is already breaking the stranglehold of the gas cartel in South Australia's electricity market. And for the first time, a wind farm bid in FCAS to keep prices down.

Tasmania's Liberal government flags plan to quit NEM, as bipartisan Parliamentary report concludes electricity market is broken, needs rebuilding.

Analysis shows renewable energy generation supplied more of Europe's electricity than coal in 2017 for the first time ever.

Bond price jump may hit renewable energy projects; state Labor governments under threat; and debate shifts to dispatchable renewable energy.

Tindo Solar to win big after mandate for Tesla virtual power plant calls for half of the 250MW solar capacity to be sourced from Australia.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia has become a founding member of new automotive industry body Hydrogen Mobility Australia (HMA).

A dozen leading researchers have issued an urgent call to action for the Murray-Darling Basin, arguing that the billions spent on water-efficient irrigation have done little for the rivers' health. Quentin Grafton, Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Darla Hatton MacDonald, Associate Professor, University of Tasmania David Paton, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide Graham Harris, Professorial Fellow, University of Wollongong Henning Bjornlund, Professor, University of South Australia Jeffery D Connor, Professor in Water Economics, University of South Australia John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland John Williams, Adjunct Professor Environment and Natural Resources, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Lin Crase, Professor of Economics and Head of School, University of South Australia Richard Kingsford, Professor, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sarah Ann Wheeler, Professor in Water Economics, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Pond snails use things like rocks or the side of their aquarium as their bed, attaching themselves while they sleep. This might not seem very relaxing but their shells do hang away from their body. John Lesku, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Sleep Ecophysiology, La Trobe University Anne Aulsebrook, PhD candidate, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists and economists issue urgent warning that $4bn plan is not improving basin health

A group of prominent scientists and economists has issued a stark warning to the nation’s politicians: the Murray-Darling basin plan is failing to achieve environmental goals and is a “gross waste” of money.

The group of seven economists and five scientists with deep expertise in the river are meeting on Monday morning in Adelaide to issue what they are calling the Murray-Darling declaration.

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It’s a simple idea: strip CO2 from the air and use it to produce carbon-neutral fuel. But can it work on an industrial scale?

It’s nothing much to look at, but the tangle of pipes, pumps, tanks, reactors, chimneys and ducts on a messy industrial estate outside the logging town of Squamish in western Canada could just provide the fix to stop the world tipping into runaway climate change and substitute dwindling supplies of conventional fuel.

It could also make Harvard superstar physicist David Keith, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and oil sands magnate Norman Murray Edwards more money than they could ever dream of.

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South Australia unveils plans to build 250MW "virtual power plant", linking household rooftop solar and battery storage, in what it says will be world's biggest. It will involve 50,000 homes, each with 5kW rooftop solar and a Tesla Powerwall 2.

Concessional $900m loan cannot proceed without Queensland government approval, Karen Andrews says

The Adani Carmichael coalmine will not receive federal funding from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility for a vital rail line, a Turnbull government minister has said.

The announcement by Karen Andrews on Sunday is a major blow to Adani, which has sought a $900m concessional loan for rail to link the Carmichael mine to port – and could spell the end of the project entirely if it can’t secure private finance.

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Boduan, Pwllheli: A woodland burial reminds us that nature is the mirror and foundation for every resurrection myth

My dear old friend loved birds. They brought her joy. I’d spent many peaceful hours in her garden room, keeping her company, watching the nuthatches, woodpeckers, goldfinches and siskins at her bird table during these recent years of illness patiently borne. She died in the last minutes of the old year, at the age of 88. A woodland burial was arranged at Boduan Sanctuary. Waxy-white clumps of snowdrops reflected in the hearse’s paintwork as she left her home for the last time.

At the sanctuary wood’s car park we lifted her into a sturdy rustic cart with iron-rimmed wheels. On the narrow path into the wood, one of these ran over my foot. I imagined the quip this lively, humorous woman would have lanced my way, and changed position to push from the back. We held straps to lower her into the grave, and as we did so the sun’s barred rays threaded through the trees, traversed her wicker coffin, and illuminated the moss and the pale trunks of the silver birches.

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Latest technology reveals a network of more than 60,000 structures under Guatemala's jungle.

The week’s top environment news stories and green events. If you are not already receiving this roundup, sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox

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The UK will play a leading role in developing a spacecraft to warn of solar storms.