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Life Matters gets weather obsessed and tours the Bureau of Meteorology, sleep deprivation impeding our decision making, how space weather affects us all, fly fishing and reflections on a life in Tasmania’s wilderness.

These curious coral reef inhabitants have evolved some remarkable adaptations to thrive in the underwater realm.

Survey shows 87% of residents object to coal seam gas.

Animal expert Dr Tim Cockerill talks us through the truth about spiders.

Size of consultation response could lead to ‘latte levy’ and other fiscal measures in budget

An unprecedented number of people have backed tough action against plastic waste in a government consultation that could pave the way for a series of fiscal measures in the autumn budget.

The government will say response is evidence that there is broad public support for reducing single-use plastic waste through measure such as a “latte levy” on coffee cups, similar to the plastic bag charge, and tax incentives for recycling.

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A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

Average prices in California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) in July gained almost 10% to extend the previous month's record high, while regulator ARB published the latest formal rulemaking documents on programme amendments this week.

The critically endangered regent honey eater flies into the Hunter; we go trackside with 90-year-old Alf McLeod; meet Clyde the kelpie; and visit a vintage caravan rally.

Exclusive: Giving $444m dollars to small foundation could delay on-ground work, documents reveal

The government was warned that there was a “significant” risk that on-the-ground projects for the Great Barrier Reef could be delayed because of a $443.8m grant to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, documents reveal.

The documents, obtained by the Guardian under freedom of information laws, also show the environment department and the office of the environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, discussing a $5m “reef islands” grant, but do not contain any mention of the much larger grant until after the 9 April meeting where it was offered.

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Living on Mars time, landing nightmares and sometimes spreadsheets... a day in the life of a Nasa engineer.

European carbon prices climbed back above €18 on Friday amid rising energy prices, lodging a 1.4% weekly gain and consolidating near the ten-year peak reached earlier in the week.

‘Capricious’ EPA forbidden from delaying the enforcement of chemical safety rule drawn up by Obama administration

A federal court has blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to delay safety regulations for chemical plants – the latest in a string of recent legal setbacks for the administration in its attempts to reverse environmental standards.

Related: Weedkiller found in wide range of breakfast foods aimed at children

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The New York grid operator’s (NYISO) plan to exempt wholesale market suppliers holding active Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) contracts under its CO2 pricing proposal drew criticism from a clean energy group this week for undermining market design and the state’s business environment.

An anaesthetised polar bear, a surprising pine marten and a potty-mouthed parrot are among this week’s images

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Closing prices, ranges and volumes for China's regional pilot carbon markets this week.

Report predicting spiralling global temperatures has been downloaded 270,000 times in just a few days

The scorching temperatures and forest fires of this summer’s heatwave have finally stirred the world to face the onrushing threat of global warming, claims the climate scientist behind the recent “hothouse Earth” report.

Following an unprecedented 270,000 downloads of his study, Johan Rockström, executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, said he had not seen such a surge of interest since 2007, the year the Nobel prize was awarded to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

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Just 30 of the prehistoric fish known to exist, raising fears oil wells will push it to extinction

Bright blue, older than dinosaurs and weighing as much as an average-sized man, coelacanths are the most endangered fish in South Africa and among the rarest in the world.

Barely 30 of these critically-endangered fish are known to exist off the east coast of South Africa, raising concern that a new oil exploration venture in the area could jeopardise their future.

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New Zealand carbon allowances rose to record highs again on Friday as emitters continued to hedge against the risk that the government might increase the NZ$25 price ceiling during the current compliance year.

Investor Ant Financial and automaker BAIC Group have bought shares in the Beijing Environmental Exchange, increasing the bourse’s registered capital by 67% to 500 million yuan ($72.7 mln).

North American methane-cutting projects are becoming more lucrative as regulators and standards update their offset crediting calculations, but developers are still seeking alignment with other policies and considering whether more profitable incentives lie elsewhere.