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Devil’s ivy with synthetic animal gene inserted helped reduce benzene and chloroform levels

A humble houseplant with a dash of rabbit DNA could help lower our exposure to indoor air pollution, new research suggests.

Scientists have revealed that by inserting a rabbit gene into devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) the plant is able to clean the surrounding air by breaking down chemicals such as benzene and chloroform, which in certain concentrations can harm health.

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EU lawmakers early on Wednesday agreed on reforms to the bloc’s power market that will end coal subsidies from 2025, paving the way for a full phase-out of the fuel.

Stay of execution for coal subsidies has been heavily criticised by climate analysts

An EU deal to slowly phase out coal subsidies is “completely inconsistent” with the bloc’s Paris climate agreement commitments, analysts say.

Marathon negotiations ended early on Wednesday with a benchmark CO2 emissions standard of 550 grams per kWh for all European power plants by 2025. But coal-dependent Poland secured a loophole allowing countries another year to negotiate new “capacity mechanisms” that would be exempted from the deadline.

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Emitters in the New Zealand ETS should pay the fixed price option for 2018 instead of surrendering permits, brokers OM Financial said Wednesday, in a recommendation that could keep up to 34 million NZUs in the system next year.

Ministers setting limits for 2019 accused of ignoring scientific advice on overfishing

Fisheries ministers meeting in Brussels to decide EU quotas for next year have set some stocks within levels scientists deem sustainable but left many others vulnerable to overfishing.

The ministers also said there would be a review of the planned ban on the discarding of edible fish at sea, which could, in effect, mean the wasteful practice is allowed to continue despite an eight-year battle to end it.

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A recently revoked Australian energy efficiency project could add annual demand of upwards of 500,000 tCO2e to meet its contractual obligations to the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), stretching the country's small secondary offset market to the limits of its capacity and likely pushing up prices in the process.

In our new column about the American south and climate change, we go towards Christians who have been resistant to ideas of environmental stewardship - perhaps it’s a message they need to hear in their own terms

I was, frankly, nervous about speaking to people of faith in the south about climate change. I wrestled with my own preconceived notions and past experiences, and was surprised when conversations took inspiring, if not transcendent, turns.

Secular as I am now, I still think fondly of my childhood minister, Dr Lehman, who loved college basketball and Honda Accords (he drove 13 of them during his lifetime). At the conclusion of each Lakeside Baptist service, he’d call the eastern North Carolina congregation to action.

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Australia’s federal government on Wednesday dismissed a push from the New South Wales state energy minister to put a carbon emissions obligation back into the national energy strategy.

The entrepreneur says his system will see modified electric cars travel at high speed underground.

Court hears department and VicForests have not protected minimum area of old-growth forest required by law in East Gippsland

Logging in old-growth forests in Victoria should cease, according to testimony from the Victorian environment department in a court battle over logging in East Gippsland.

The Fauna and Flora Research Collective is pursuing VicForests and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in the supreme court.

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NSW Coalition energy minister slams federal government's continued refusal to restore emissions component of the National Energy Guarantee, vows to continue to fight for the "critical matter."

The post NSW slams federal Coalition over “extraordinary” refusal to reinstate emissions in NEG appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Lyon Group and big Japanese partner say they will begin construction in early 2019 of solar and battery storage project that will act as the country's first "solar peaking plant".

The post Lyon, Jera, plan to start on Cape York solar + battery project in early 2019 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

It’s been a huge year for solar in Australia in 2018. In the final podcast of the year, we review the highs and lows, the best and the worst, and take a peak at next year.

The post Solar Insiders Podcast: High and lows, best and worst of 2018 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Horizon Power is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Unwin as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing 18 March 2019.

The post Horizon Power appoints new Chief Executive Officer appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A car made from waste plastic has been forced to abort its mission to the South Pole because of bad weather.

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

Construction of world's first on grid wind-solar-battery facility in north Queensland now complete, with connection to follow in new year.

The post Construction complete at Kennedy, world’s first wind-solar-battery park appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A university in Finland has invented a process to turn waste wood into material for clothing.

Sabella, a pioneering tidal and ocean stream turbine developer, has partnered with QOS Energy to improve the performance monitoring of its ground-breaking Ushant tidal energy project.

The post France’s first tidal energy plant gets smarter with QOS Energy’s data intelligence platform appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Washington DC's city council endorsed a bill on Tuesday that will see the US capital achieve a 100% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 2032, though amendments proposed by a utility generated pushback from environmental groups.