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Orca pod filmed hunting whale calf in 'unprecedented' California killing spree
A group of killer whales in Monterey Bay killed four gray whales in a week, a phenomenon one researcher hasn’t seen in her 30-year career
In an “unprecedented” rash of attacks, a pod of killer whales in Monterey Bay, California, has killed four gray whales in a week, including a calf whose killing was captured on video, according to one marine biologist.
Related: An extraordinary battle between sperm whales and orcas – in pictures
Continue reading...Mood black as community rakes over Hume Coal's mine plan
Southern highlands landholders unite to battle proposal that would threaten the bore water they rely on
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The sun has not long disappeared below the rolling hills of the highlands when the locals begin to muster.
There are angry mutterings and shaking of heads among the 50-odd filling the old village hall in Exeter, two hours south of Sydney.
Continue reading...Trump executive order aims to allow Arctic drilling
A Big Country April 29, 2017
The crew of cyclists turning Florida’s lawns into farms
In Orlando, a group of pedal-powered volunteers are transforming lawns into organic gardens, to create ‘hyper-local’ food networks that will boost food security
The future of the immaculate British lawn is under threat, claims a new report from the Royal Horticultural Society: rising temperatures will deliver a triple-threat of dryness, weeds and pests that gardeners will have to navigate if they want to maintain their manicured emerald rectangles. Some reports have even suggested we do away with lawns altogether and just substitute them with fake green turf (gasp!) to avoid the inevitable hassle.
But will it be worth it? Let’s be honest, what do lawns really do, anyway—other than satisfy that odd part of the human ego that thrives off the sight of evenly-clipped grass? In fact, how about we really shake things up and just turn our lawns into vegetable patches, instead?
Continue reading...Clean-air plan, Goldman prize and whale whispering – green news roundup
The week’s top environment news stories and green events. If you are not already receiving this roundup, sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox
Continue reading...Power plants will have to cut toxic emmisions under new EU rules
New rules to limit air pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and mercury could save more than 20,000 lives a year, say NGOs
Power plants in the EU will have to cut the amount of toxic pollutants such as nitrogen oxides they emit under new rules approved by member states and widely applauded by environmental groups.
Friday’s decision imposes stricter limits on emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, mercury and particulate matter from large combustion plants in Europe.
Continue reading...DNA of extinct humans found in caves
The week in wildlife – in pictures
A hellbender salamander, a red kite in flight and a hawksbill turtle are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world
Continue reading...Temperature-boosting El Niño set for early return this year
The climate event that helped supercharge global warming to record levels in 2015 and 2016 is 50-60% likely in 2017, says World Meteorological Organization
The El Niño climate event that helped supercharge global warming to record levels in 2015 and 2016 is set for an early return, according to a forecast from the World Meteorological Organization.
Related: What is El Niño?
Continue reading...Slathering on sunscreen at the beach? It may be destroying coral reefs
Studies show that oxybenzone, a common chemical found particularly in spray-on sunscreens, contributes to coral bleaching and leaves reefs deformed
For years we’ve been told to slap on sunscreen to protect against the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. But eco-conscious beachgoers may want to take care with their sunscreen this summer, as studies show that many contemporary sunscreens pose a threat to the ocean environment.
Oxybenzone is a common chemical found in all types of sunscreen, but particularly in the spray-on variety, that researchers have found harms coral, and is in high concentrations at some of the most world’s most popular reefs.
Continue reading...East coast readies for fresh climate fight as Trump eyes more offshore drilling
President expected to sign executive order to review areas potentially rich in fossil fuels that were put out of reach of drilling by the Obama administration
Communities along the east coast are steeling themselves for a fresh round of angst and protest over offshore drilling, with Donald Trump set to throw open vast swathes of the Atlantic seaboard to oil and gas companies.
Related: The climate change battle dividing Trump’s America
Continue reading...Australia's first rescued-food supermarket opens in Sydney
OzHarvest Market in Kensington offers donated or surplus grocery products that would otherwise be thrown out
Australia’s first rescued-food supermarket has opened in Sydney, providing donated or surplus produce to customers on a pay-what-they-can basis, in an effort to reduce the estimated $8bn to $10bn of food discarded each year.
The OzHarvest Market provides food, from blemished apples to frozen sausage rolls, as well as other items such as sanitary products and toothpaste, which would otherwise be thrown out, sourced from the excess of major supermarket chains, caterers and cafes.
Continue reading...Seeds of doubt: the fight for Paraguay's farmlands – in pictures
Spanish photographer Jordi Ruiz Cirera documents the fallout from Paraguay’s booming agriculture sector, where families are forced from their homes and rivers are filled with pesticides
Continue reading...How to celebrate World Tapir Day – video
Here’s the one minute of pure enjoyment that you didn’t know you needed to see. Keeper Jess Stockton gives Melbourne zoo’s Brazilian tapir a good raking over for World Tapir Day (27 April)
Continue reading...Shifting ground has suited the colonies
Merry’s Meadows, Leicestershire Ancient disturbance created ridges and troughs, letting a wide range of plants colonise the meadow grassland
There is no better way to mark the land’s springtime rejuvenation than a sunny morning whiled away botanising in a floristically diverse meadow.
Merry’s Meadows – there are three fairly large fields – huddle together surrounded by a sea of bright yellow oilseed rape. The shallow corrugation of ridges and furrows indicate that a good proportion of the nature reserve was ploughed and cropped in mediaeval times.
Continue reading...Greens delight in inserting more wind turbines into Barnaby’s seat
Regulator blames AEMO errors for South Australia blackout
Video: Tom Gleeson on rooftop solar, and ridiculous retailer business models
Gas shortfall may be short-lived, thanks to growing renewables
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