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Terry the green sea turtle practises for release by swimming with predators – video

The Guardian - Wed, 2018-01-31 17:01

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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Stripes of wildflowers across farm fields could cut pesticide spraying

The Guardian - Wed, 2018-01-31 16:30

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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Super blue blood moon: Get ready for a rare celestial show

BBC - Wed, 2018-01-31 16:21
A lunar eclipse, supermoon and blue moon are about to happen at once. Here's what you need to know.
Categories: Around The Web

Shorten hails cheap wind and solar, but will he stop Adani?

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2018-01-31 13:50
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.
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Liddell, the coal plant that “predates colour TV”, trips again

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2018-01-31 13:42
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.
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Phase one of “world’s largest” EV fast-charging network completed in Queensland

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2018-01-31 13:17
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.
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Disappointing Reliability Review highlights failings of AEMC

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2018-01-31 13:07
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.
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Green sea turtle 'Terry' practises swimming with predators before release

The Guardian - Wed, 2018-01-31 12:26

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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Skywatchers await 'super blue blood Moon'

BBC - Wed, 2018-01-31 11:56
A blue blood supermoon and lunar eclipse across Asia heralds a year of lunar science milestones, say scientists.
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Lobsters and crabs should not be boiled alive, say campaigners

BBC - Wed, 2018-01-31 11:50
Lobsters and crabs are sentient organisms that feel pain and need more protection, say campaigners.
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Q&A: How will China’s new carbon trading scheme work?

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2018-01-31 10:42
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.
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The killer whale that can say 'hello' and 'bye bye'

BBC - Wed, 2018-01-31 09:58
A killer whale that can mimic words such as "hello" is thought to be the first of its kind to copy human speech.
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Photon, Canadian to co-develop 1.14GW of big solar in NSW

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2018-01-31 09:01
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.
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Lismore opens Australia’s largest floating solar farm, could add storage

RenewEconomy - Wed, 2018-01-31 08:50
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.
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Birdwatch: purple sandpiper snatches a snooze in Somerset

The Guardian - Wed, 2018-01-31 07:30

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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The make-up artist making designs with dead insects

BBC - Wed, 2018-01-31 07:19
Jasmine Ahumada, from California, attaches spiders and bees to her face to create her distinctive looks.
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RSPB Minsmere winter starling murmuration

BBC - Wed, 2018-01-31 06:26
Starlings take to the skies to create a spectacular aerial ballet before settling on roost.
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Jon Castle obituary

The Guardian - Wed, 2018-01-31 03:49
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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Labor branches push for new environment act and independent watchdog

The Guardian - Wed, 2018-01-31 03:00

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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UK given days to show it will comply with EU air quality laws

The Guardian - Wed, 2018-01-31 02:00

UK and eight other states will need to take drastic measures on illegal air pollution to avoid court referrals next week, says EU

The EU has given Britain and eight other states until next Friday to show how they will comply with EU air pollution laws or face the European Court of Justice.

The ultimatum came as London reached its legal air pollution limit for 2018 in just the year’s first month, and could lead to heavy fines being imposed on the UK even after Brexit.

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