Around The Web
RINs rebound on reports of stalled US biofuels policy overhaul
Spanish astronaut Pedro Duque joins government as science minister
Pollution hits fungi that nourish trees - study
California cap-and-trade opponent moves on in gubernatorial primary
China Roundup: Pilot schemes announce auctions, new sanction rules ahead of compliance
Point Carbon raises EU carbon prices forecasts, but predicts short-term dip
Business group IETA warns EU nations against setting carbon floor prices
Has US physics lab found a new particle?
University Queensland goes 100% solar with 64MW solar farm
European astronaut set to command ISS launches on Soyuz
John McDonnell joins Tory rebels to oppose Heathrow third runway
Shadow chancellor hopes to help persuade undecided MPs to vote against expansion plan
John McDonnell has joined Conservative rebels against Heathrow’s third runway to attempt to persuade MPs who may still have reservations about the project to vote against it.
Continue reading...European Commission seeks to boost space spending
Shunning Britain
National party comments on drought and climate 'a disservice' to farmers
The majority of farmers and National party voters say they are ‘increasingly frustrated’ at the lack of action on climate change at a federal level
Farmers have challenged National party claims that conditions in drought-stricken regions in eastern Australia should not be politicised by attributing them to climate change.
Farmer and former Nationals leader John Anderson said this week that while the drought was the worst he had experienced, it was not unprecedented.
Continue reading...Chinese solar investors rue subsidy cuts, ask govt for grace period
How the world’s first habitable 3D printed houses are made – video
Eindhoven in the Netherlands is set to become the first district in the world to have habitable homes, made with a 3D printer. Houses have been made with 3D printers before but none has been fit for people to live in. The Dutch team behind the innovation hope the system will revolutionise the construction industry with far more energy-efficient, eco-friendly homes
Continue reading...Queensland ministers will be targeted if state funds roads for Adani, warn activists
If Labor decides to finance infrastructure for the Carmichael mine, it would be a betrayal of trust and break a key election promise, say anti-coal protesters
Activists say they will relaunch a disruption campaign targeting Queensland government ministers and MPs after reports the government has considered financing road upgrades required for access to Adani’s Carmichael coalmine.
The ABC reports that documents, obtained under right-to-information laws by the consultancy Energy and Resource Insights, reveal ongoing discussions about upgrades to the local dirt roads.
I climbed Everest expecting a rubbish dump but what I found surprised me | Ben Fogle
A huge clean-up is returning the world’s highest mountain to its former glory
Just over two weeks ago I was standing on the roof of the world, both figuratively and literally. I was 8,848 metres up on the summit of Mount Everest. It was the culmination of many years’ hard work, and the realisation of a childhood dream.
I have been overwhelmed by the tide of goodwill and support but one thing has become increasingly apparent. In many people’s minds, Everest has lost her crown. She has become a mountain synonymous with death, exploitation and pollution.
Continue reading...'Impossible-to-cheat' emissions tests show almost all new diesels still dirty
Other new research shows diesel vehicles cause 88% of the £6bn annual damage to people’s health from car and van exhaust in the UK
Emissions tests that are impossible for carmakers to cheat show that almost all diesel car models launched in Europe since the “dieselgate” scandal remain highly polluting.
The test uses a beam of light to analyse the exhaust plume of a car as it passes and automatic number plate recognition to link the measurement to a specific model. More than 370,000 such measurements taken in the UK, France and other countries have been compiled into new rating system called The Real Urban Emissions Initiative (True) and made available to the public on Wednesday.
Continue reading...Government promises profitable farming post-Brexit
Farmers concerned by Michael Gove’s recent environmental overtures welcome Defra vow
The government will take steps to ensure farms can operate profitably after Brexit, the environment secretary has insisted, as MPs challenged ministers to keep taxpayer funding for agriculture after EU subsidies are withdrawn.
Michael Gove said food production was at the heart of British farming. He told the all-party parliamentary environment group: “It would be impossible to sustain everything we value in rural Britain without thriving food production. And we need a balance [with environmental protection].”
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