Feed aggregator
EU Parliament backs new commissioners for climate, Green Deal
Taiwan revises rules to expand emissions verification capacity
US outfit launches sheep grazing credits for vineyard systems
UN report urges global end to fossil fuel exploration by 2030
Climate crisis funding for poor nations should reach $200bn to $400bn a year by same date, says pre-Cop28 report
Fossil fuel exploration should cease globally by 2030 and funding to rescue poor countries from the impacts of the climate crisis should reach $200bn (£165bn) to $400bn a year by the same date, according to proposals in a UN report before the next climate summit.
Countries were still “way off track” to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris climate agreement, the report found, and much more action would be needed to make it possible to limit global heating to 1.5C above preindustrial levels.
Continue reading...Buff-tailed bumblebees drop from air ‘like bricks’ to repel hornet attacks
Bee and hornet hit ground with such force the attacker is sent scarpering, University of Exeter scientists find
Bumblebees are not fast or agile enough flyers to evade an attack from an Asian hornet and an airborne scrap would almost certainly result in victory for the latter.
But University of Exeter scientists have found that when attacked, buff-tailed bumblebees have a dramatic but effective response: simply dropping out of the air “like a brick”, taking the hornet with them.
Continue reading...Rating agencies downgrade India’s biggest carbon developer
Emissions barely rose in first half of year despite tightly balanced clean energy sector -think tank
Why aren’t there more trees in the Sycamore Gap?
The tragic felling of the tree is making land managers reflect on how this barren landscape should look in future
Last Wednesday night, Britain was robbed of one of its best-loved trees. Mike Pratt, the CEO of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, describes the venerable, now-recumbent sycamore at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall as a “totem tree; a touch point in the landscape”.
But the tree, standing alone in a national park, also reminded some of how nature-depleted England is. As environmentalist Ben Goldsmith said at the time: “That someone would have destroyed this iconic tree is beyond comprehension; but what’s even more shocking is that this was pretty much the only tree in that entire landscape. Our national parks can and should be so much better.”
Continue reading...Just Stop Oil protesters arrested after disrupting Les Misérables performance in London – video
Five people have been arrested after Just Stop Oil protesters disrupted a performance of Les Misérables at the Sondheim theatre in London’s West End.
During a performance of the song Do You Hear the People Sing? members of the Just Stop Oil group stormed the stage with banners to boos from the audience.
In a post on X, the group wrote: '4 people are locked to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show. Valjean steals bread to feed a starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal?'
Continue reading...Circular economy: sustainable industry initiatives in Europe – in pictures
Luca Locatelli, an Italian photographer, has been researching the circular economy: an economic model geared to the elimination of waste, involving the circulation of products and materials and the regeneration of nature. His photographs document stories, practices and initiatives in Europe inspired by the movement, and nature-based production solutions and processes which tackle socio-environmental issues
Luca Locatelli’s The Circle is on display at Gallerie d’Italia, Turin until 18 February 2024
Continue reading...Singaporean bank teams up with software company to offer customers carbon footprint measurement
How can cities help trees survive extreme heat?
As our climate warms, urban trees will be needed more than ever. A study looks at how they can be protected
El Niño is officially under way and Australians are preparing for a hot spring and summer. Urban trees play a vital role in keeping cities cool, evaporating water to provide a natural form of air-conditioning, cooling air temperatures and reducing heat-related deaths by more than a third. But trees struggle with extreme heat. A study shows that simply planting trees isn’t enough; urban trees need continuing care.
Researchers investigated the impact of extreme heat on trees during Australia’s last major heatwave, in 2019 and 2020. They found species with large thin leaves, such as red maple, were particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, whereas trees with thicker leaves, such as ash and Chinese elm, were better able to regulate their temperature. The results, published in Global Change Biology, show that access to water is also crucial, with well-watered trees able to open their pores and evaporate water, preventing scorching of leaves.
Continue reading...Cost of keeping coal alive “considerable,” says AER, as market factors in emissions
"Considerable maintenance expenditure” will be needed to keep old coal plants running, the regulator says, as it contemplates what price to put on emissions.
The post Cost of keeping coal alive “considerable,” says AER, as market factors in emissions appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Stanwell signs major deal for Australian-made long duration iron flow batteries
Queensland's Stanwell signs deal for long duration "iron flow batteries" as it seeks different storage solutions for the switch from coal to green energy.
The post Stanwell signs major deal for Australian-made long duration iron flow batteries appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australian battery recycling start-up given $8 million to scale tech
CEFC-backed fund provides $8 million for perth-based start-up to scale its unique battery recycling technology.
The post Australian battery recycling start-up given $8 million to scale tech appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australia rejoins global climate fund initiative, reversing Morrison snub
Australia has signed back up to a global climate change fund for developing countries after an almost five-year absence, reversing a Morrison-era snub to international community.
The post Australia rejoins global climate fund initiative, reversing Morrison snub appeared first on RenewEconomy.
CS Energy takes 50% stake in its first wind farm, in big step away from coal
Queensland coal utility makes first major wind investment, in a deal to own half the 372MW Boulder Creek wind farm – and buy all of its energy once complete.
The post CS Energy takes 50% stake in its first wind farm, in big step away from coal appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Suicide rates jumped after extreme drought in the Murray-Darling Basin – we have to do better as climate change intensifies
International pension funds acquire Tasmanian forestry plantation
‘Gobsmackingly bananas’: scientists stunned by planet’s record September heat
The carbon emissions driving the climate crisis and rapid arrival of an El Niño event are to blame, researchers say
Global temperatures soared to a new record in September by a huge margin, stunning scientists and leading one to describe it as “absolutely gobsmackingly bananas”.
The hottest September on record follows the hottest August and hottest July, with the latter being the hottest month ever recorded. The high temperatures have driven heatwaves and wildfires across the world.
Continue reading...