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If scandals oust Pruitt, Andrew Wheeler is an ex-coal industry lobbyist pledged to end the ‘pure hell’ of Obama regulations

If the extraordinary barrage of ethical scandals buffeting Scott Pruitt finally dislodges him as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a reassuringly familiar figure to Republicans will take over and probably continue much of Pruitt’s controversial work to scale back environmental protections.

Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, was confirmed as the EPA’s second-in-command by the Senate in April, in the face of complaints from Democrats that he will simply act as the same sort of industry mouthpiece as his boss, Pruitt.

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The Connecticut Senate approved legislation late Monday that would double and amend the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), with the House soon set to weigh in on the text as the 2018 session draws to a close.

After nearly becoming extinct in Britain, the cirl bunting has bounced back, thanks to joint efforts by RSPB and farmers

Few British birds have enjoyed such mixed fortunes as the cirl bunting, Emberiza cirlus. Discovered by my ornithological hero George Montagu in 1800, near his Devon home, it extended its range across much of southern Britain, before going into sharp retreat in the 1970s.

By 1989 there were just 120 pairs – all but two in south Devon. Then, thanks to the RSPB, and especially project officer Cath Jeffs, it bounced back. Jeffs persuaded local farmers to create the right habitat for the buntings, and today there are more than 1,000 breeding pairs.

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Ecology is in the midst of a technological revolution. From tiny sensors that can be fitted to animals, to swarms of remotely-piloted drones, researchers have a host of new ways to study the natural world. Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Blake Allan, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia depends on imported fuel to keep running. We never got around to setting up an official reserve, and that means we're already at risk. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

EU carbon prices were steady on Tuesday to hold on to the previous session’s holiday-fuelled gains, as weekly auction supply tightens to one of its lowest levels in 2018.

British Columbia has introduced legislation to scrap its near-term GHG reduction target and replace it with two interim goals en route to the province’s mid-century objective.

The European Commission cleared 44 big-emitting industries to receive free carbon allowances for 2021-30, reducing drastically the number of eligible sectors but retaining big polluters such as steel, cement, and chemicals.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and the development towards a resource-efficient, low-emissions and climate-resilient economy.

This is a regal jumping spider, and there are no prizes for guessing what it's good at.

German utility Uniper held back on its hedging of forward power output for the second quarter in a row, its results showed on Tuesday, in potentially bullish news for carbon.

Australia’s emerging offset market is set to continue in low-key mode for the next year after the government budget released Tuesday halved climate spending and failed to replenish the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).

The government says it plans to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste, including wet wipes.

The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii started erupting on May 3 and has so far destroyed 26 homes.

Scientists hope to learn how to build tiny jumping robots - by studying an extraordinary spider.

Australia is in pole position to lead the clean energy revolution, and should put a price on carbon to realise that potential, said leading economist Ross Garnaut.

Waltham Brooks, West Sussex: Newcomers are adding their voices to the morning chorus, alert to the emerging insects

The wind is brisk and cold, but the rain has stopped, the morning mist is dispersing and the sun is breaking through the cloud. My boots sink into mud and waterlogged grass with every step. I have to leap across submerged ditches and pools to avoid wading up to my calves through the water.

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Buyers of new-build homes at a property development in Perth’s northern suburbs offered solar PPA that promises to cut their daytime power costs by 40%.

California Energy Commission looking likely to approve move to rooftop solar compulsory on all new homes, condos, and apartments from 2020.

AEMO's modelling of the future grid influenced by more dramatic falls in solar and battery storage costs, big uptake of rooftop solar, electric vehicles, batteries and virtual power plants – and a question-mark over coal.