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River wildlife is on the up and there’s little evidence that storm overflows are being used more often. But protest is still vital

Public outrage over river pollution has been heartening to see. Over the past few years, stories about sewage contamination in rivers have captured public attention, and prompted campaigns and protests, such as the forthcoming River Action UK march for clean water on 26 October in London. It is important to protect our rivers because they are biodiversity hotspots and essential for human health. However, as a freshwater ecologist, I know there is more nuance to the story than you may have been led to believe. From my perspective, there is some good news when it comes to our rivers. I would even say that some rivers in England are in the best state they have been in for hundreds of years.

Many rivers in England are polluted, but we need to recognise that this is not an emerging issue but a much longer-standing one that has been largely ignored by the media and politicians for decades. Much of the recent furore over pollution has to do with increased awareness, rather than a sudden increase in pollution itself. It’s only by understanding how these ecosystems have changed over time and reflecting on previous successes that we can make real progress.

Michelle Jackson is associate professor of freshwater/marine ecology at the University of Oxford. Prof Jackson previously conducted one study that received funding from a wastewater treatment company, and currently has no industry funding.

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The federal government Monday published an exposure draft for consultation on transparency changes to the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme.

Australia is producing 6x more gas than the regulator's predicted shortfall, says the Australia Institute in response to the latest scare campaign from the fossil fuel lobby.

The post What gas shortage? Fossil lobby warns of blackouts, but Australia has 6x more gas than it needs appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia needs more longer duration energy storage to fix a forecast winter demand peak when renewable supply can be low.

The post Australia must start valuing storage duration to solve winter demand peaks and renewable droughts appeared first on RenewEconomy.

An audit of the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has found weak governance practices regarding internal conflicts of interest (COI) within the organisation, according to documents published Monday, issues that critics continue to say are indicative of much broader problems with Australia's carbon market. 

Is there anything climate change cannot do?!

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Albanese slammed by Greens and cross bench after refusing climate trigger at behest of mining lobby.

The post “Bulldozer:” Albanese slammed after bowing to mining lobby and refusing climate trigger appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Brendan Lang is an electrician from Melbourne who swapped his diesel guzzling tradie ute for a Tesla. He calls his business Get off Gas and this week he provides answers to household electrification questions.

The post SwitchedOn Podcast: A Q&A on household electrification with Tesla-driving sparkie appeared first on RenewEconomy.

NSW's new Consumer Energy Strategy aims for 1 million homes and small businesses kitted out with solar batteries by 2035, crucial for a no coal grid.

The post NSW aims for a million solar battery homes in landmark consumer energy strategy for no coal grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

China saw its domestic thermal power generation expand last month from a year earlier with increased coal output, but hydro and solar power production continued to post stronger annual growth.

Significant milestone claimed as tests validate first use of vanadium electrolyte produced at Perth facility in a functioning battery.

The post Milestone for vanadium flow battery technology after electrolyte tests for Australian project appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Rooftop solar continues to reshape the grid, with record levels of large scale curtailment, even as coal plants dialled down to their bare minimum.

The post Record curtailment as rooftop solar reshapes biggest coal grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The US climate movement must support a candidate that celebrates fracking and the growth of a domestic fossil fuel industry, because the alternative is Donald Trump.

The post Why Harris v Trump is the everything-but-climate election appeared first on RenewEconomy.

W.A. government seeks expressions of interest in four new transmission corridors to deliver huge amounts of wind and solar to Australia's most fossil dependent economic region.

The post Australia’s most fossil dependent economy opens up to renewable energy highways appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Polaris Dawn crew is back following a mission featuring the world's first commercial spacewalk.

Leaked government figures show proportion of assets in adequate condition has fallen ‘significantly below’ target

Thousands of flood defences in England that are supposed to protect properties from serious damage are in a state of disrepair, according to official figures leaked to the Observer before what is expected to be a wetter than usual autumn.

Data from inside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency about the so-called “asset condition” of key flood defences shows the proportion of those regarded as being in adequate condition now stands at just 92.6%, compared with 97.9% in 2018-19. This is the proportion of defences judged to be fit for purpose after rigorous inspection by experts.

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As Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore spend months longer than planned on ISS, three astronauts tell us what life is like in orbit.

A public hearing is set to examine the events surrounding the catastrophic failure of Oceangate’s submersible.

From donning ‘pie-proof’ bike helmets to conversing with the songbirds, the key to avoiding avian conflict might be learning to speak their language, experts say

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Down a gravel track in the backblocks west of Ipswich ride six middle-aged women. Their bikes are black, their shorts and exercise tops nondescript – but strapped atop their helmets are party hats.

“You know those little cone hats you used to wear as a kid?” Christina Slik says. “With the streamers on top and the reflective colouring?”

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Environmental approval for wind and solar farms have to consider habitat loss for precious species, but do not yet consider the biggest threat, which is climate change, or the benefits of reduced coal emissions.

The post Breeding grounds, flight paths and climate change: Getting balance right on wind and solar approvals appeared first on RenewEconomy.