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Schiaparelli Mars probe 'ready for all eventualities'
Butterfly numbers drop a mystery, say experts
A celebration of botanical art throughout history – in pictures
A new book Plant: Exploring The Botanical World celebrates the beauty and diversity of plants from around the world across all media - from murals in ancient Greece to a Napoleonic-era rose print and cutting-edge scans
Continue reading...Caring for Creation makes the Christian case for climate action | John Abraham
The new book by Mitch Hescox and Paul Douglas is a marriage of science and faith
Most of you are aware of a growing movement amongst persons of faith to bring more action on dealing with climate change. The argument is powerful for the faithful – the Earth is God’s gift to humanity. We should care for it accordingly.
From within this movement, there are huge voices, widely respected by both the scientific and faith communities. Perhaps the best known is Dr. Katherine Hayhoe, a top climate scientist who is also an evangelist Christian. There are other persons and organizations who work similarly to connect these two world viewpoints in a powerful yet common-sense way.
Continue reading...Call for action to protect 'the lungs of the sea'
Winner takes all on the hill of the stag
Ben Damh, Wester Ross Each stag is ready to fight to the death for his chance to mate – and he only has only a short window to take his opportunity
Ben Damh means “hill of the stag” in Gaelic. You can see why. In the season of the rut the hill is alive with the sight, sound and smell of red deer. Even before we reach the ridge we can hear roaring, like the sound of a distant lawnmower. As we stalk down onto the western slopes above Loch Damh, past musky puddles of peat where the stags will wallow, we are entering the centre of an unfolding drama with enough sex and violence to rival Game of Thrones.
Each stag is ready to fight to the death for his chance to mate – and he only has only a short window to take his opportunity. On such poor ground as this, the hinds are in oestrus for just four short weeks around the beginning of October. They gather on the high greens to graze while the feeding is good, and the males soon follow.
Continue reading...Record low number of UK butterflies a 'shock and a mystery'
Annual Big Butterfly Count records lowest ever number of usually prolific species despite the relatively warm, dry summer
If you think you saw fewer butterflies than ever this British summer, you are probably correct: the Big Butterfly Count has recorded its lowest number of common species since records began.
Normally ubiquitous butterflies such as the gatekeeper, comma and small copper experienced their worst summers in the history of the count, which is run by Butterfly Conservation and began in 2010.
Continue reading...South Australia triggers Turnbull backflip on renewables
Perovskite breakthrough may fast-track new solar PV technology
Qld accused of “indefensible and reckless” support of Carmichael coal mine
Cease coal imports, embrace affordable solar, urges Indian power minister
Rooftop solar installs hit highest monthly level since July, 2015
Great Barrier Reef Legacy invites Leonardo DiCaprio to join its campaign – video
The conservation organisation Great Barrier Reef Legacy is raising funds to operate the reef’s only independent research vessel and it wants Leonardo DiCaprio’s help. The actor, a well-known environmentalist and activist for action against global warming, has spoken about the reef’s plight and the need to protect it
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