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Passionate advocate for some of the world’s least-known creatures and for new approaches to wildlife conservation

Tony Whitten, who has died aged 64 in a cycling accident, was an inspirational figure in global conservation circles thanks to his collaboration with religious groups and his passionate advocacy for some of the world’s least-known creatures. Like the snails, beetles and mites that he championed, Whitten was never a household name, but his influence as a mentor and explorer – particularly in the caves and rocky environments of Asia – was such that 11 species have been named after him. He was also instrumental in the first fatwa declared against the illegal wildlife trade.

At the time of his death, he was senior adviser at Flora & Fauna International, one of the world’s oldest conservation organisations, and had recently established a specialist group on karst habitats – the crags, caves, sinkholes and disappearing streams formed by the dissolution of limestone and other soluble rocks – for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

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The week’s top environment news stories and green events. If you are not already receiving this roundup, sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox

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Amazon river dolphins, a foraging raccoon and a snow-covered swan lake are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world

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Expansion of budget ski resort Bansko into Pirin national park will be disastrous for centuries-old forests home to brown bears and wolves

A budget ski resort expansion is poised to carve 333km of new slopes and 113km of ski lifts through a Unesco world heritage site of “outstanding universal value”, according to documents obtained by WWF in a lawsuit.

The 400sq km Pirin national park in Bulgaria is one of Europe’s best preserved homes for large mammals such as brown bears and wolves, which roam its glacial lakes, alpine meadows and dense forest.

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The National Forest has not only transformed an industrial landscape, it has given people a new sense of belonging and wellbeing, created jobs and boosted wildlife – benefits that could be replicated across the country

Former miner Graham Knight puts his cup of tea down on the cafe table and looks out through the large glass windows. Trees frame every view; a small herd of cows meander through a copse of silver birch towards a distance lake.

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Air pollution and climate change policies are pushing coal-fired electricity stations to the brink, says a new report. Closing them would avoid €22bn in losses by 2030

More than half of the European Union’s 619 coal-fired power stations are losing money, according to a new report. As a result, the industry’s slow plans for shutdowns will lead to €22bn in losses by 2030 if the EU fulfils its pledge to tackle climate change, the report warns.

Stricter air pollution rules and higher carbon prices are set to push even more plants into unprofitability, according to the analysts Carbon Tracker, with 97% of the plants losing money by 2030. Furthermore, rapidly falling renewables costs are on track to make building new wind and solar farms cheaper than continuing to run existing coal plants by the mid 2020s.

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Langstone, Hampshire Grey squirrels begin mating in mid-December, but here the males’ chittering pursuit started weeks ago

On bleak, damp days when the trees are devoid of birdlife, I can always rely on grey squirrels to bring a smile to my face. Rain or shine, they come tumbling through the bare winter branches like a troop of circus acrobats, walking the tightrope of my washing line and swinging from my bird feeders as though they are performing on the flying trapeze.

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2017 has been a year of records for Australian solar power, and the year's not even finished yet. Here are 10 of the highlights so far...

New research shows a sharp, and rising, difference in the value of property likely to be affected by climate change impacts such as rising sea levels.

UNSW energy researcher says bad policy design means industry incumbents can use large-scale solar and wind tenders to get their costs down, without necessarily passing on savings to consumers.

Why rooftop solar could be one of the grid's greatest assets but also one of its greatest threats if not properly managed. Here's what AEMO thinks needs to be done.

Will the interruption of match in New Delhi between India and Sri Lanka by toxic smog finally spur the Indian Government to take coal plant pollution seriously?

Infrastructure Australia says governments should privatise state-owned metropolitan water utility businesses

Australians can expect to pay double for their water supply within 20 years unless there are big reforms, a report from Infrastructure Australia says.

It says a lack of investment in ageing infrastructure, population growth in urban centres and climate change will play a part in pushing up prices.

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Archer Exploration has been granted approval for its Campoona graphite project, north of Cleve on the Eyre Peninsula.

NSW signs deal to buy LGC's from Neoen's Dubbo solar farm, and says "this lays the foundation for more renewable energy procurement."

Zen Energy gets electricity retailer licence to offer "baseload renewable energy" product and proceed with 1GW solar and storage facility at the Whyalla Steelworks.

Gold miner Newcrest decides against solar farm to help power its Cadia mine in NSW, highlighting the challenges for renewable developers.

From Florence Broadhurst to Romance Was Born, Australian designers have long looked to birds for design inspiration

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The results of the 2016 Survey of Taxonomic Capacity are now available.

Narwhals show a "costly" response to threats, raising concerns over how they will respond to increased human contact.