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Hopes of mild climate change dashed by new research
Planet could heat up far more than hoped as new work shows temperature rises measured over recent decades don’t fully reflect global warming already in the pipeline
Hopes that the world’s huge carbon emissions might not drive temperatures up to dangerous levels have been dashed by new research.
The work shows that temperature rises measured over recent decades do not fully reflect the global warming already in the pipeline and that the ultimate heating of the planet could be even worse than feared.
Plan bee: parliament to produce honey to sell in shop and give to dignitaries
Parliamentary triangle is ideal for bees because Canberra’s centre is relatively free from pollution and has a good range of plants
It is a fact that Canberra has its fair share of honey-tongued politicians but parliament is about to produce its very own product.
Three beehives have been installed in the grounds around Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra to produce honey for sale in the shop and to give as gifts for visiting dignitaries.
Continue reading...Bringing nature into your backyard
Latest legal challenge to Tory air pollution plans fails
High court instructs ministers to publish full proposals by the end of July
The government has won the latest court challenge over the UK’s air pollution crisis.
Environmental lawyers ClientEarth had argued that ministers’ draft proposals to improve air quality – which contributes to tens of thousands of deaths each year – were unlawful.
Continue reading...Why the Republican Party's climate policy obstruction is indefensible | Dana Nuccitelli
It’s unscientific, fails basic risk management, is bad for the economy, and immoral
Two weeks ago, Senator Al Franken (D-MN) had an exchange with Trump’s Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry about climate change.
Animal rights groups criticise New Zealand's war against possums
Inquiry into effects of fracking launched after Blackpool tremors
Investigation is part of an £8m research project examining impacts on land, water and air of the extraction technique
Scientists will investigate how fracking can affect drinking water and its role in earthquake tremors of the kind caused by shale gas operations near Blackpool, as part of a taxpayer-funded £8m research project.
The programme, backed by the Natural Environment Research Council and Economic and Social Research Council, will examine hydraulic fracturing’s environmental impacts on land, water and air, as well as public attitudes to the controversial extraction technique.
Continue reading...Sadiq Khan pledged to help cyclists – so why is he such a stick in the wheel?
Subverting superhighways with sorry quietways; preserving motor vehicle capacity even if it brings conflict with cyclists – the mayor must do better
Do you remember that Blackadder scene where General Melchett proudly unveils a map representing the territory gained by his troops? Dimensions: 17 sq ft. Scale: actual size. London mayor Sadiq Khan’s cycling programme – formerly Britain’s bike flagship – is starting to feel a bit like that.
More than a year since he took office pledging to “make London a byword for cycling”, “accelerate” the existing programme and “triple” to 36 miles the length of segregated cycle superhighways, the mayor has by my count opened 80m (260 ft) of new segregated lane. Work is progressing, extremely slowly, on another half-mile or so. And that is about it.
Continue reading...Exotic paradox in the herbaceous borders
Powis Castle, Wales A dangerous beauty stolen by European adventurers and hinting of vast plains a world way
The anchor plant, Colletia paradoxa, with its geometric architecture, looks like trouble among the summer flowers in the herbaceous borders on the terrace gardens. And yet its very oddness makes it fit with an assembly of plants few, if any, of which would grow together in the wild. A paradox indeed.
Plants from the Americas, the far east and Europe grow cheek by jowl according to an aesthetic based on colour and form rather than geography. Although many do share similar ecological characteristics, some appear suited for other planets.
Continue reading...Collinsville 42.5MW solar farm underway as site works begin
Energy Efficiency market report: Predictably unpredictable
How the far Right have hijacked Australia’s energy policy
Cities to get more sustainable with smart communities code
Transmission: We need to building now to deal with wind and solar boom
Raw waste water use on farms is '50% higher' than estimated
As one home heads off grid… many more are choosing not to connect
Solar and battery storage to power Victorian coal mine museum
Climate Change Authority loses last climate scientist | Planet Oz
David Karoly says without an expert to replace him, the CCA will struggle to fulfil its legal mandate
Imagine, if you will, a government board to champion Australian arts without any artists on it, or an agency to advise on medical research without any medical researchers.
Or perhaps even, imagine a government authority set up to provide expertise on climate policy without any actual climate scientists.
Continue reading...