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Australia the only developed nation on world list of deforestation hotspots
WWF report finds area six times the size of Tasmania has been cleared globally since 2004
Australia remains one of the world’s hotspots for deforestation according to a new report by WWF, which finds an area six times the size of Tasmania has been cleared globally since 2004.
The analysis identifies 24 “deforestation fronts” worldwide where a total of 43 million hectares of forest was destroyed in the period from 2004 until 2017.
Continue reading...National Trust aims to save Yorkshire abbey from climate-linked flooding
A £2.5m scheme in the Skell Valley hopes to protect Fountains Abbey and the city of Ripon
Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, was originally set up by 13 Benedictine monks seeking refuge from the more extravagant, rowdy monks in York. Eight hundred years later, the abbey ruins and its gardens face another threat: the climate crisis.
The Skell Valley, where the ruins stand, has been flooded several times in recent years, raising fears that the UK’s largest monastic ruins are at risk of irreparable damage. Now a £2.5m National Trust project – aided by a £1.4m lottery grant – has been greenlit to improve the landscape’s resilience to changing weather.
Continue reading...Energy Security Board outlines plan for fast renewable transition in two major new reports
New reports from the Energy Security Board highlight priority focus areas for a grid destined for a high renewable future.
The post Energy Security Board outlines plan for fast renewable transition in two major new reports appeared first on RenewEconomy.
North Carolina green groups petition state for RGGI rulemaking
Prince Charles launches new natural capital Alliance to mobilise $US10 billion
Prince Charles brings together US$10 billion sustainable investment alliance, targeting climate and biodiversity crises.
The post Prince Charles launches new natural capital Alliance to mobilise $US10 billion appeared first on RenewEconomy.
IEA to focus on net zero by 2050 for energy
A major global energy agency has announced a focus on climate action for 2020, cautiously welcomed by climate groups
The post IEA to focus on net zero by 2050 for energy appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Oxford researchers predict Africa may struggle to go green this decade
While electricity use throughout Africa expected to surge, Oxford University researchers predict renewables may struggle to gain market share.
The post Oxford researchers predict Africa may struggle to go green this decade appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Impact investors take majority share in Houston-based environmental commodity firm
Washington cap-and-trade bill targets phased approach starting in 2023
EU Market: EUAs hit new record as gas prices spike on sudden cold snap
Australian bird photographer of the year 2020: vote in the people’s choice awards
Choose your favourite photo from entrants in BirdLife Australia’s annual photography awards. From a hungry fairy tern to a thirsty corella, the best images from photographers across Australia have been entered into this year’s prize. Voting will run until Friday 22 January.
• This year’s Guardian/Bird Life Australia bird of the year poll will run from 27 September
• View all categories of the 2020 BirdLife Australia Photography awards here and find out about volunteering here
Continue reading...Net-zero, carbon-neutral, carbon-negative .. confused by all the carbon jargon? Then read this
US greenhouse gas emissions fell 10% in 2020 as Covid curbed travel
But emissions reductions came at huge cost and will likely rebound as vaccines are distributed, authors of report say
Planet-heating emissions in the US fell by more than 10% in 2020, a record drop generated by extraordinary reductions in travel and industrial activity in the teeth of the coronavirus pandemic, new figures show.
The historic jolt to American life, which has resulted in more than 375,000 deaths and a huge surge in joblessness, caused many states to impose travel restrictions and curbs on business activity. This resulted in greenhouse gas emissions dropping by 10.3% last year, according to a new estimate by Rhodium Group.
Continue reading...California nuclear power plant outage could yield higher emissions, traders say
US emissions drop 10% in 2020, though rebound expected -report
Clothes washing linked to ‘pervasive’ plastic pollution in the Arctic
Polyester fibres that injure marine life were found in sea water across region
The Arctic is “pervasively” polluted by microplastic fibres that most likely come from the washing of synthetic clothes by people in Europe and North America, research has found.
The most comprehensive study to date found the microplastics in 96 of 97 sea water samples taken from across the polar region. More than 92% of the microplastics were fibres, and 73% of these were made of polyester and were the same width and colours as those used in clothes. Most of the samples were taken from 3-8 metres below the surface, where much marine life feeds.
Continue reading...'There's real hope': Dalai Lama discusses climate crisis with Greta Thunberg – video
The Dalai Lama met climate activist Greta Thunberg virtually on Saturday.
The Tibetan spiritual leader said: 'I heard this young girl from Sweden. I really felt: Oh, there is real hope from our younger generation who really thinking this environment and these things.'
During their conversation, Thunberg said she had heard a call to action and urged people to educate themselves on climate issues.
'If I could have ask one thing of you, it would be to educate yourself, to try to learn as much as you possibly can. There's unlimited amount of information, and spread that knowledge, spread that awareness to others' she said
Continue reading...Florida manatee with 'Trump' etched on back prompts investigation
Climate change: US emissions in 2020 in biggest fall since WWII
A river used to run through it: how New Mexico handles a dwindling Rio Grande
The Rio Grande used to flow freely, but now in Las Cruces, humans, fish and plants are vying for water in the arid landscape
Imagine the world without its most famous rivers: Egypt without the Nile, or London without the Thames. In Las Cruces, New Mexico, residents don’t have to envision the American west without the Rio Grande – it runs dry in their city almost every single year.
Related: Hope grows that Biden will restore US national monuments shrunk by Trump
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