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Substances used to aid muscle-building and weight loss made up more than half of the pharmaceuticals found in the capital’s sewers. What does this tell us about modern life?

Along with the flushed debris and the thriving bacteria – the wet wipes, condoms, and sanitary towels; the listeria and E coli – that have congealed within the giant fatbergs in the sewers under central London, are chemicals found in banned gym supplements. In fact, they were discovered in greater quantities than drugs such as cocaine and MDMA.

In tonight’s Fatberg Autopsy: Secrets of the Sewers, on Channel 4, samples from a giant block were examined to see what it contained. Caused by people pouring cooking oil down the drain – which then congeals with items that should not be flushed, such as wet wipes – fatbergs are an increasing problem for water companies, particularly in urban areas. But the examination of fatbergs’ chemical content also provides a picture of the way we live. The scientists who did the analysis discovered numerous predictable substances, such as paracetamol, prescription medications and substances used in skin creams. But more surprising was the amount of hordenine and ostarine – described by the programme-makers as often being found in gym supplements, which made up more than half of the pharmaceuticals found.

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Discovery prompts fear that melting ice will allow more plastic to be released back into the oceans.

Samples taken from five locations found concentrations of more than 12,000 microplastic particles per litre of sea ice

Scientists have found a record amount of plastic trapped in Arctic sea ice, raising concern about the impact on marine life and human health.

Up to 12,000 pieces of microplastic particles were found per litre of sea ice in core samples taken from five regions on trips to the Arctic Ocean – as many as three times higher than levels in previous studies.

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Analysts Energy Aspects have raised their EU carbon price forecasts for the third time in as many months, though warned that the market appears to be getting “jittery” amid heightened options-related risk.

European carbon prices climbed back above €13 on Tuesday after a stronger auction encouraged buyers and appeared to trigger a bout of short-covering.

A vet gives advice on how to assist dehydrated bumblebees emerging from hibernation.

After years of rapid expansion, China is slamming the brakes on solar power capacity growth this year to shift its focus onto quality control and cost reduction, senior energy officials said Tuesday, signalling a bump in the road in the country’s efforts to wean itself off fossil fuels.

New Zealand carbon allowances fell 0.3% on Tuesday but still ended just 30 cents below the all-time highs hit in February as overall market sentiment remains bullish.

Japan this week issued the first-ever batch of offsets to a Thailand-based project under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), taking the number of host countries that have received carbon credits under the programme to five of Japan’s 17 partners.

Exclusive: Taking back control of UK waters would lower the price of British-caught fish, new analysis shows – but most of the fish we eat is imported

A hard Brexit that banned EU fishermen from UK waters would lead to many more fish being landed by British boats and a corresponding drop in prices, according to new economic analysis.

But there’s a catch. Two-thirds of the fish UK consumers eat are imported from overseas, and the costs of those would rise, due to the trade barriers resulting from a hard Brexit. Moreover, the fall in the price of UK fish would lead to a drop in earnings for UK fishermen. Overall, the analysis shows closing the UK’s sea borders would be a “lose-lose situation” for both UK and EU consumers and fishing industries.

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The global network of 85,000 members runs on goodwill and a ‘pay it forward’ philosophy, allowing riders to navigate the lonely and sometimes testing side of cycle touring and connect with kindred spirits

Imagine you’re nearing the end of another long day in the saddle, partway through your latest cycling tour. Your panniers feel heavy and your tyres sticky as you drag your bike over the final climb of the day. You pull your map out and wrestle with the foreign characters on the paper, trying to match them with those on the road sign ahead.

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Ever get the idea that the quitting the grid was reserved for low energy users, austere consumers or those unable to connect? Think again.

Ferry Meadows, Peterborough: The sun is shining and tiny furrow bees join other species feeding on pollen and nectar

Spring arrives on many small wings. During the winter insects could be accused of having resorted to being life in the undergrowth, but the freezing easterlies have passed and the gentle warmth of the sun releases the bees and flies from their deep slumbers to again become life in the air.

Related: Ferry Meadows, Peterborough: Floodplains that should remain just that

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Soil erosion and water pollution caused by poor farming practices mean land could become too poor to sustain food crops by the end of the century

England must invest £10m a year to ensure its soil is productive enough to continue to grow food by the end of the century, a new report warns.

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Industry reports suggest more and more Australian households are choosing to quit the grid, and they're doing so for a mixed bag of reasons.

FleetPlus has achieved carbon neutrality as part of its commitment to sustainability.

Nissan sells 54,451 Leaf EVs as customers "embrace" the new model – but not in Australia, just yet.

APN Outdoor is addressing carbon emissions in the outdoor advertising industry

Commercial launch of the Terra HP fast charger places ABB at the forefront of EV-charging technology.

Last week, Australia’s largest generation unit tripped, sending frequency out of its normal band. What happened next explains why the smart grid has arrived.