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In response to letters about plans for a new northern forest, a defence of the Woodland Trust’s policies from Dr James Paterson, and a prediction of more leaves on the line from Paul Birchall

The response in your letters section to the northern forest raised some useful points (Development for the north? Let them eat wood, 9 January). However, drawing parallels between the Woodland Trust’s native woodland policy and xenophobia demonstrates ignorance of the ecology and the conservation of semi-natural woodlands. Britain’s native woodlands are so diverse because of the association and dependency of species that have co-evolved over several thousand years. 

The accusation that we create “plantations of birch and rowan and field maple, producing scrub rather than woodland” couldn’t be further from the truth (and, by the way, scrub habitat has huge conservation value). We use local tree and shrub species to create diverse, functioning and resilient habitats for biodiversity and local communities.

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Theresa May's environment policy pledge is the latest step in the party's journey on the issue.

Residents say they have been pushed into taking direct action to save the 200 trees around train station in central London

A priest is to chain herself to a tree outside Euston station in central London in a protest against the felling of more than 200 trees around the station to make way for the HS2 rail line.

Dozens of giant London plane trees in Euston Square Gardens are among those earmarked to be cut down to provide temporary sites for construction vehicles and a taxi rank displaced by work at the station.

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The PM has finally made the environment a priority. But past double-dealing damages confidence in the government’s eco plan proposals

The government’s new 25-year plan conjures up an environmentalist’s dream, from huge new nature reserves to protecting our long-neglected but life-giving soils. The nation’s beleaguered wildlife, toxic urban air and polluted waters certainly need it.

The question is whether turning the plan into reality will become a political nightmare when confronted with vested interests or lack of Treasury funds. Such ghouls have shattered far less ambitious goals in the past.

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Tory politician Charles Hendry, in independent review, says he’s hopeful Swansea will receive backing for plan

Plans for a £1.3bn tidal power lagoon in Swansea could still be backed by ministers despite government indecision on whether to support it, according to the author of an independent review on the project.

Charles Hendry, a Conservative politician and former energy minister, enthusiastically supported the scheme a year ago as a source of clean power and UK jobs.

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Home and kitchenware shops report growth in sales of portable mugs as government hints at a tax on disposable cups

Sales of reusable coffee cups are soaring in the UK, retailers are reporting, as the government hints at a tax on disposable cups.

Argos, which is part of the Sainsbury’s Group, said it had sold 537% more portable cups in December 2017 than the same month the previous year. Meanwhile, kitchenware chain Lakeland reported an increase in sales of more than 100% month-on-month, homeware company Robert Dyas reported a 50% lift year-on-year.

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Campaigners say "emergency" action is needed now as the PM unveils a 25-year plastics crackdown.

Moves to cut plastic, create a new environmental watchdog and boost wildlife habitats are among the new measures

• Theresa May defends green plan amid criticism it’s too vague

One of the most heavily trailed announcements is the end of an exemption for small shops from England’s 5p plastic bag charge. The loophole was an anomaly compared with similar schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was also imposed against the wishes of corner shop owners at the time, with three small business trade associations opposing being exempted on the grounds it would be confusing for customers. “Its abolition is long overdue,” said Mary Creagh, chair of the environmental audit committee of MPs. The change will affect 3.4bn bags handed out at about 200,000 stores each year.

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Environmental groups welcome ambition but say 25-year promises must be backed by force of law, money and new watchdog

Theresa May has said her government is serious about improving the environment after pressure groups gave a lukewarm response to a new 25-year green plan, praising its ambition but warning that it lacked sufficient plans for immediate action.

May’s proposals were also criticised by Jeremy Corbyn, who said her pledge to stop all avoidable plastic waste by 2042 was “far too long” to take action.

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In Switzerland, lobsters must now be stunned before being boiled - but do they really feel pain?

Ben Saunders has led 13 expeditions since 2001 and has walked around 4,000 miles in skies.

Curiosity has reached a part of the Red Planet with geology named after places across Scotland.

A discrepancy in measurements of the Universe's expansion rate has now become "pretty serious".

The newly found bat is said to be three times the size of an average bat today.

Local residents take part in a day-long experiment to cut traffic and improve air quality.

Modest pollution in many English rivers is enough to kill 80% of eggs, increasing concerns over insects which are vital to all ecosystems

Modest levels of pollution found in many English rivers are having a devastating impact on mayflies, new research suggests, killing about 80% of all eggs.

Clouds of emerging mayflies were once a regular sight on English summer evenings and they are a key part of the food chain that supports fish, birds and mammals. The finding that even pollution well below guidelines can cause serious harm adds to concerns about plummeting insect numbers.

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Following the success of Elon Musk’s 100-megawatt battery in South Australia, another battery and renewable power plant are in the works

Australia’s renewable energy sector responds to the success of South Australia’s Tesla lithium ion battery. South Australia will build the world’s largest solar thermal plant, and a Queensland wind farm may be the site of a new record-breaking battery.

The Aurora solar plant in Port Augusta, SA, will begin construction this year, and is slated to provide 100% of the state’s electricity needs by 2020, the state’s acting energy minister, Chris Picton, announced on Wednesday.

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Importers and manufacturers of outdoor power equipment and marine engines without North American or European Union certification are now able to apply to the Department of the Environment and Energy for Australian certification or exemptions.

Importers and manufacturers of outdoor power equipment and marine engines without North American or European Union certification are now able to apply to the Department of the Environment and Energy for Australian certification or exemptions.

Importers and manufacturers of outdoor power equipment and marine engines without North American or European Union certification are now able to apply to the Department of the Environment and Energy for Australian certification or exemptions. Only...