Feed aggregator

Hunting by Kenyan lions impeded in ‘ecological chain reaction’ as big-headed ants fail to stop elephants stripping acacia trees – the cats’ ambush cover

When a lion decides to chase down a zebra it seems as though nothing can stop it. But now researchers have discovered these enormous predators are being thwarted by a tiny foe: ants.

Scientists have found the spread of big-headed ants in east Africa sets off a situation leading to lions making fewer zebra kills.

Continue reading...

A twice-weekly summary of our biodiversity news plus bite-sized updates from around the world. All articles in this edition are free to read (no subscription required).

The Republic of Ireland has said it wants every person in the country to be aware of the importance of biodiversity, as it launches its latest National Biodiversity Action Plan.

The European Commission will include carbon removals in its recommended goal to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, according to a leaked draft seen by Carbon Pulse on Thursday.

A recent dynamic life cycle assessment (LCA) study has revealed that soil organic carbon (SOC) changes resulting from the removal of forest residues for biofuel production significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions.

The Lisa project to detect gravitational waves will be one of the most complex ever space missions.

The European Commission has handed out nearly €600 million to eight cross-border energy infrastructure projects, including several for CO2 management, it announced on Thursday.

Pressure is mounting on the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to allow companies to use carbon credits to meet emissions reductions targets, after a survey of corporate big hitters found a healthy majority said it would galvanise meeting their mitigation goals.

Research finds 14 different types of PFAS chemicals commonly used in ski wax on slopes in Austrian ski resorts

Skiers are leaving “forever chemicals” in the snow on ski slopes, a study has found.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – a group of 10,000 or so human-made chemicals widely used in industrial processes, firefighting foams and consumer products – are colloquially known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment; they do not easily break down.

Continue reading...

European carbon prices fell back on Thursday morning as the surge of buying interest that had driven prices back above €65.00 in midweek dried up, while energy markets retreated, encouraging a resumption of more aggressive EUA selling.

UK power company Drax is setting up a new US-based business unit to develop and build large-scale carbon removal projects internationally, it announced on Thursday.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has released a new set of guidelines to enable governments to identify and redesign subsidies harmful to biodiversity.

The World Bank has issued an outcome bond in partnership with a social enterprise whereby the proceeds will be directed towards reducing and recycling plastic waste, generating plastic and carbon credits to provide a financial return to investors.

The Hōkūleʻa’s oceanic voyages, navigated by the stars, have led other Indigenous people to revive their own ancient traditions – and serve as a call to action on the climate

A double-hulled Polynesian sailing canoe glides up to a busy dock in San Diego, California. Hōkūleʻa’s two short wooden masts are dwarfed by the historic schooner that escorted the boat into the harbour. Dozens of small outrigger canoes trail in its wake, honouring the crew’s arrival.

Once the docklines are secure, Hōkūleʻa’s 13 crew members put on ceremonial leis – floral garlands – and request permission from the local Indigenous tribe to come ashore. In response, 30 members of the Kumeyaay Nation sing and dance to welcome them to their native lands. Hundreds of onlookers snap photos before joining the festivities at a nearby park.

Continue reading...

On a walk through a nature reserve I felt dread at the pink flowers on a bone-grey tree, grief-stricken right down to my roots

There is a particular queasy disquiet that comes from looking at blossom in January. Or daffodils just weeks after Christmas. At seeing catkins dangling from trees that are still bathed in dark from about 4.30pm. It is an uncanny sense that something here isn’t right. I get it, too, in August, when the blackberries have already ripened into dust, before the new school term starts. Or when I hear birdsong under a yellow streetlamp.

Perhaps this is just the outdoors equivalent of moaning about Easter eggs being in the shops in January. As in, it happens every year but we are somehow shocked anew each time. Maybe daffodils have always pushed up their spears as students fill in their Ucas applications. Maybe there have always been blackberries in July. Maybe it’s just my memory playing tricks on me.

Nell Frizzell is the author of Holding the Baby: Milk, Sweat and Tears from the Frontline of Motherhood

Continue reading...

A Berlin-based startup that offers a digital voluntary carbon market platform has successfully raised €10.3 million in a recent funding round, it said Thursday.

BP has invested into a software platform that allows corporates and individuals to purchase carbon credits or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to offset emissions in hard-to-abate sectors.

An Australian oil and gas company has established a new trading arm in Singapore to sell both its spot cargoes of LNG and get a foldhold into the voluntary and compliance carbon markets.

An independent environmental markets administrator in Australia has joined a broad partnership that is in the process of bidding for government funding to launch an initiative to drive investments in nature positive carbon, biodiversity, and natural capital initiatives.

The first image of the Slim spacecraft shows it to be in an awkward position on the lunar surface.