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Get in the sea – should we allow coastal heritage sites to fall to ruin?

The Guardian - Tue, 2017-06-06 01:12
With hundreds of properties around Britain set to be lost to erosion, some are arguing that historic coastal landmarks should be allowed to decay gracefully

Do all heritage sites deserve to be saved or should some be permitted to fall into natural ruin? According to Caitlin DeSilvey, a cultural geography professor at the University of Exeter, some historic landmarks should be permitted to decay gracefully through a policy of managed “continuous ruination”. In other words, thanks to a perfect storm of falling budgets, climate change, rising sea levels, and, well, loads more storms, is it time to stop viewing heritage loss as a failure but instead as a necessary, even natural process of change?

“Yes, but it’s not about abandoning stuff,” stresses Phil Dyke, coast and marine adviser at the National Trust, which owns 775 miles of coastline and cares for more than 500 coastal interests. “It’s a form of adaptation. There are 90 locations around England, Wales and Northern Ireland where we’ve got significant change that we’re going to have to deal with over time. It’s going to become increasingly difficult to hang on to structures in these locations.”

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Air pollution fears see demand for diesel cars fall by fifth

The Guardian - Tue, 2017-06-06 00:27

Diesel sales in May are down 20% with industry insiders blaming lack of government clarity for consumer uncertainty

Demand for new diesel cars plummeted by a fifth last month amid rising concerns over air pollution.

Approximately 81,500 new diesel cars were registered in May, down 20% on the same month last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This represented a fall in market share from 50% to 43.7%.

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India launches 'monster' rocket

BBC - Mon, 2017-06-05 22:26
The rocket will give India an edge in the satellite market and it's prompted some big comparisons.
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South Africa heartbreak as rescued circus lions poisoned

BBC - Mon, 2017-06-05 22:02
The two lions had been removed from circuses in South America and relocated to South Africa.
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New weapons in the battle against invasive pests

ABC Environment - Mon, 2017-06-05 20:05
How is new technology changing the face of invasive pest animal control?
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This Land Is Your Land: a series on the fight over the US's natural heritage – video

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-06-05 20:00

There are few issues as bipartisan as public lands. They underpin American traditions and are central to the US economy. But they are now threatened like never before. Under the influence of special interests, the Trump administration has paved a path to give away 640m acres of national land, a third of US property. Limiting public access and input, this Congress has been called the worst for public lands in US history. In response, the Guardian is launching a weekly series to look at the role of public lands in American life and the threat posed by efforts to do away with them

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National lands in the US: what do they mean to you?

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-06-05 20:00

As Congress moves to give away federal land and diminish public access, we want to hear from US public land owners. How do you use these spaces?

As Congress moves to give away national land and diminish public access, we want to hear from US public land owners. As part of our new series dedicated to public lands, we want photos of the places you visit, that feed your family, that employ you, that provide you refuge. Are you a rancher, a hunter, a ski patroller, a geologist, a federal wildlife biologist? What role do these lands play in your life?

National land makes up almost a third of the US. Across the country, 640 million acres are held in trust for all Americans. Public land is an enormous part of our history and our traditions.

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Americans own 640m acres of national land – if you can keep it | Mark Jenkins

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-06-05 20:00

For over 100 years, a small minority have battled the very idea of national land. As efforts are renewed, all Americans must face the fight

The rancher came roaring up on a four-wheeler.

“Hey, you,” he shouted. “You’re trespassing!”

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The Guardian view on public lands: fight the government sell-off

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-06-05 20:00

In a divided country, support for US public lands is a rare bridge issue – yet the Republican platform has opened the door to disposing of 640m national acres

At a moment of deep political division, few issues draw as much bipartisan support from the American public as the sanctity of public lands. Yet conservative lawmakers have quietly laid the foundation to give away Americans’ birthright: 640m acres of national land.

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Grand Canyon at risk as Arizona officials ask Trump to end uranium mining ban

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-06-05 20:00

Exclusive: Powerful regional officials to ask administration to end 20-year ban, saying it is unlawful and inhibits economic opportunity

A coalition of influential officials in Arizona and Utah are urging the Trump administration to consider rolling back Obama-era environmental protections that ban new uranium mining near the Grand Canyon.

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A Glimmer of hope for the Great Barrier Reef

ABC Environment - Mon, 2017-06-05 16:30
A new report says parts of the reef can be saved from coral bleaching and death
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Infigen appoints new Independent Director

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-06-05 15:02
Mr Len Gill has today been appointed to the Boards of Infigen Energy Limited, Infigen Energy (Bermuda) Limited and Infigen Energy RE Limited (the Infigen Boards).
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Clean Energy Regulator welcomes new Chair

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-06-05 14:58
The Clean Energy Regulator welcomes the appointment of Mr David Parker AM as the new Chair of the agency.
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Finkel’s fine line through Australia’s testy power politics

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-06-05 14:45
Reports delivered by three major Australian institutions on Friday highlighted that wind and solar provide cheapest avenue to decarbonise the grid. But none of the AEMC, CCA or CSIRO could bring themselves to say so. Finkel's challenge will be to cut through this nonsense.
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A baleful buzz disrupts the valley of Hope

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-06-05 14:30

Abney Moor, Derbyshire Despite the proximity to the Peak District’s honeypots, a feeling of remoteness pervades here

Around the musically winding path leading up Bradwell Edge, spring is thickening into its richest texture. The meadows are rampant with cow parsley, the shade is restless with midges and the hawthorn blossom is dense as clotted cream.

At the top of the ridge my friends and I lie on a blanket of grass and look over the Hope Valley. Sunshine swells over the fields and lights up the cement works, while a pair of buzzards drift along the skyline, occasionally stopping still in some unseen updraft with an almost kestrel-like precision. I wonder how it feels to tread air like that, to be your own parachute, senses attuned to the subtlest ebbs and flows of the atmosphere.

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Farmers feeling increasingly gloomy about future ahead of Brexit, says NFU

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-06-05 14:01

Confidence levels and investment for the near future have both dropped in the wake of the general election and EU referendum result, farmers’ union poll shows

Despite overwhelmingly being in support of leaving the European Union at the Brexit referendum, farmers are increasingly gloomy now that they are staring down the reality of what leaving will entail.

In two years, confidence levels on the outlook for the next three years, as measured by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), have plummeted to just above zero from a high of 19 points on the positive side, in the wake of the general election being called and Brexit being set.

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Queensland fast-tracks auction for 400MW renewables, energy storage

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-06-05 13:39
Queensland govt reasserts commitment to 50% RET, and its independence from federal government, with $1.6bn Powering Queensland Plan.
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Know your NEM: Markets bet on big fall in electricity prices

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-06-05 13:28
Energy markets are betting on a big fall in prices as more renewables come on line, but all eyes on Finkel Review this Friday.
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Stopping food waste in Australia: a ride along with OzHarvest – video

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-06-05 13:26

Food wastage is a global problem affecting our economy, society and environment. Australians throw out $8bn to $10bn worth of food every year. OzHarvest is a food rescue organisation that collects excess food from commercial outlets across the country and then delivers it to those in need. Guardian Australia takes a ride with OzHarvest driver Steve Negrine to see first-hand the organisation’s innovative approach to minimising food waste

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Carbon dioxide set an all-time monthly high in May

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-06-05 11:17
It’s official: carbon dioxide set an all-time monthly record. A sobering reminder that humans are pushing the climate into a state unseen in millions of years.
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