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Climate experiment shows trees release water but stop absorbing carbon in extreme heat

Australian researchers growing trees in climate change conditions have found the leaves “sweat” to survive extreme heatwaves.

The year-long experiment showed that trees continue to release water through their leaves as an evaporative cooling system during periods of extreme heat, despite the carbon-fixing process of photosynthesis grinding to a halt.

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Footage taken at the Sealife Melbourne aquarium shows a green sea turtle that was rescued from a beach on the Mornington peninsula swimming laps alongside predators  to prepare for his release into the wild. Terry the turtle has a phalanx of divers to act as bodyguards for his first foray into the tank

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The stripy fields have been planted across England as part of a trial to boost the natural predators of pests that attack cereal crops

Long strips of bright wildflowers are being planted through crop fields to boost the natural predators of pests and potentially cut pesticide spraying.

The strips were planted on 15 large arable farms in central and eastern England last autumn and will be monitored for five years, as part of a trial run by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH).

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A lunar eclipse, supermoon and blue moon are about to happen at once. Here's what you need to know.

Shorten says transition to renewables key to cheap and reliable energy, new industries, and the future of the reef. But he's going to have to work hard to make this a major issue in what could be an election year, and he needs to be clear about Adani.

Another week, another coal unit failure, this time at AGL's Liddell plant – you know, the one the Turnbull government wants kept open to boost grid reliability.

Electric vehicle drivers can now tap free, green, EV fast charging stations from Coolangatta to Cairns, and Brisbane to Toowoomba, as govt completes first phase of "world's largest" EV super highway.

See no problems, hear no problems, do very little. We read the AEMC's Reliability review in the hope of finding some interesting ideas. We didn't.

The turtle washed up on a beach in August and will be released into the wild next month

A green sea turtle rescued from a beach has been swimming laps alongside predators at Sealife Melbourne aquarium to prepare for his release into the wild, with a phalanx of divers to act as bodyguards.

The immature turtle was discovered washed up on a beach on the Mornington Peninsula in August, severely underweight and battling pneumonia.

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A blue blood supermoon and lunar eclipse across Asia heralds a year of lunar science milestones, say scientists.

Lobsters and crabs are sentient organisms that feel pain and need more protection, say campaigners.

China has unveiled some details of its much-anticipated emissions trading scheme, confirming its move to a national carbon market after several years of regional pilots projects.

A killer whale that can mimic words such as "hello" is thought to be the first of its kind to copy human speech.

Photon and Canadian's plans for 1.14GW of large scale solar in NSW suggest that the post-RET investment cliff predicted by some may not occur just yet.

Lismore opens country’s biggest solar farm, and flags five fold increase in size and may add battery storage. The unique community funding model forms a key part of city’s push for 100 per cent renewable energy by 2023.

By the tidal waters of a lowland river it’s a thrill to spot this Arctic breeding shorebird – even if, for this bird, sleep is on the schedule

The birds were so well camouflaged I almost didn’t see them. A dozen waders, perched on a rocky outcrop alongside the River Parrett, Somerset, at high tide, the water lapping at their feet. Most were turnstones, whose faded tortoiseshell plumage blended in surprisingly well with the rocks. A couple of dunlins, too, the ubiquitous small wader also in drab winter garb.

And one other bird: plump, dark and fast asleep, head tucked beneath its feathers. Only an unusual plumage feature, the patch of yellow at the base of its bill, gave away its identity as a purple sandpiper. Though at this time of year slate-grey sandpiper might be more apt.

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Jasmine Ahumada, from California, attaches spiders and bees to her face to create her distinctive looks.

Starlings take to the skies to create a spectacular aerial ballet before settling on roost.

Captain of the Rainbow Warrior who led many of Greenpeace’s most dramatic marine campaigns

The seaman Jon Castle, who has died of cancer aged 67, led many of Greenpeace’s most dramatic marine campaigns, including the occupation of the Brent Spar oil platform and the opposition to nuclear testing.

After 25 years with Greenpeace he turned his skills to wider humanitarian causes, including rescuing refugees in the Mediterranean and sailing to the Chagos Islands in protest at the British refusal to allow people to return to their homeland following their eviction to allow the US to build a military base. He always acted, he said, not just out of a love of nature but for right against wrong.

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Exclusive: ALP’s internal advocacy group wants sweeping reforms to protect natural heritage to be adopted as policy at next conference

Bill Shorten is facing rising internal pressure to make the environment central to Labor’s election pitch after 250 ALP branches passed a motion calling for strong new national laws and an independent agency akin to a “Reserve Bank for environmental management”.

Branches from every state and territory have backed a campaign by the Labor environment action network (Lean), an internal advocacy group, for sweeping reforms to protect natural heritage to be adopted as policy at this year’s ALP conference.

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