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Agricultural ammonia emissions are not monitored, but investigation exposes gas at three out of eight farms across south of England

• Revealed: UK government failing to tackle ammonia pollution
• Analysis: dealing with ammonia is an urgent health problem

Testing carried out by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism around eight dairy units in the UK has revealed ammonia hotspots at three of them.

The government does not monitor ammonia pollution from most UK farms, despite the fact that it is a major contributor to the air pollution crisis.

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Government clean air strategy failing to control increasing emissions that add to ‘hidden killer’ of air pollution

• Revealed: UK government failing to tackle ammonia pollution
• Testing reveals hotspots at UK farms

Earlier this year, the government produced its first comprehensive clean air strategy, the result of years of campaigning, public outcry and finally a series of court actions ending in victory for activist lawyers over resistant ministers.

For the first time, that strategy promised action on the key role that ammonia plays in the cycle of air pollution – previous pronouncements on air pollution concentrated on transport and industrial emissions.

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New figures show 1,420 hectares were planted in year to March 2019 against target of 5,000

Tree-planting in England fell well short of targets in the past year new figures show, despite government promises to restore and plant new woodland across the country to combat the climate change crisis.

Only 1,420 hectares (3,507 acres) of trees were planted in England in the year to March 2019, against the government’s target of 5,000 hectares in the period, with smaller areas in Wales and Northern Ireland, at 500 hectares and 240 hectares respectively. The total tree cover of the UK is unchanged at 10% in England, 15% in Wales, 19% in Scotland and 8% in Northern Ireland.

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The owl parrot is facing an existential threat in the form of a fungal infection that has already endangered one-fifth of the total population. Seven of New Zealand's native kākāpō have died in recent months after contracting the respiratory disease aspergillosis. The nocturnal and flightless parrot ingratiated itself with the world after it attempted to mate with a zoologist's head during a BBC documentary

• World’s fattest parrot, the endangered kākāpō, could be wiped out by fungal infection
  

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Used for building homes on lochs, the artificial islands were previously thought to date from the Iron Age.

Warmer weather cut heating demand while gusts boosted renewables, says National Grid

Last winter was the greenest ever for the UK’s energy system after strong winds produced more renewable electricity and coal-fired power dwindled.

The news came as SSE announced on Thursday that it will close its Fiddler’s Ferry coal-fired power station next year, which will leave the UK with five coal plants by 2020. SSE said the plant, which employs 158 people, was financially unsustainable.

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Researchers say simply sitting and enjoying the peace has mental and physical benefits

A two-hour “dose” of nature a week significantly boosts health and wellbeing, research suggests, even if you simply sit and enjoy the peace.

The physical and mental health benefits of time spent in parks, woods or the beach are well known, but the new research is the first major study into how long is needed to produce the effect. If confirmed by future research, two hours in nature could join five a day of fruit and veg and 150 minutes of exercise a week as official health advice.

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Researchers uncover the earliest known evidence of cannabis use, from tombs in western China.

The British Antarctic Survey produces an exquisite new printed sheet map of Greenland and the European Arctic.

The Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange has issued a tender seeking bids to build the trading platform for China’s national carbon market, one of the last pieces of the puzzle before the world’s biggest cap-and-trade programme can commence.

NZUs shed another 3.4% on Thursday, dropping below NZ$23 as demand remained minimal following the government's lack of clarity over the market's de-facto price cap.

Queensland on Thursday approved Adani’s groundwater plan for its Carmichael mine, the final approval required to begin construction at what will become one of Australia’s biggest coal mines.

A recent global survey found almost 600 plants have gone extinct. And this figure is likely to be an underestimate. David Coates, Adjunct Professor and Research Associate, University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Queensland Government grants Adani approval for groundwater management plans, as project moves clears last major hurdle before construction commences.

The post Queensland clear way for Adani to begin work on Galilee basin “carbon bomb” appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Green hydrogen costs are expected to fall as quickly as solar and battery storage, but Australia needs more things to go its way if it is to create a huge export industry for clean fuels.

The post Green hydrogen costs may fall as quickly as solar, but Australia still needs some luck appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Industry calls for targets, urgent regulatory and market reform, to meet "immediate" need for energy storage on changing Australian grid.

The post Battery storage: “Shit, we need this in the market now” appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Zali Steggall remains optimistic for the future of Australia's clean energy sector, but says it needs to take up the polticial fight for strong policies.

The post Zali Steggall issues call to arms to renewables sector appeared first on RenewEconomy.

UK becomes first major economy to legislate an end date for its contribution to global warming.

The post UK unveils 2050 net zero carbon target, in a first for a major economy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

NSW says details of its promised zero-interest loan scheme for solar and battery storage should be released soon, and will aim to unlock billions in investment.

The post NSW promises details of solar and storage interest-free loans program soon appeared first on RenewEconomy.

We look at the generator report card on how the grid is dealing with the present and shaping for the future. Plus: Lights out at Loy Yang A unit, while AGL looks to the future with telcos.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: The good and bad from Australia’s big grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.