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Oil firms announce $1bn green fund as Paris climate deal comes into force

The Guardian - Fri, 2016-11-04 22:10

Analysts criticise fund – which focuses on cutting the impact of fossil fuels but will not support renewable energy - calling it a ‘drop in the ocean’

A $1bn fund to invest in cutting the climate change impact of fossil fuels has been announced by 10 of the world’s biggest oil companies, on the day the global Paris climate change agreement comes into force.

But analysts called the sum a “drop in the ocean” which showed the companies were not serious in tackling global warming.

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Scientists apply for GM wheat trial in UK

BBC - Fri, 2016-11-04 21:30
Researchers apply for a licence to carry out a trial of a genetically modified wheat crop in a small field in Hertfordshire.
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Dakota Access: women on frontlines tell of violent arrests and police abuse – video

The Guardian - Fri, 2016-11-04 21:30

The Native American women leading the Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline say they have faced police abuse and mistreatment in jail. North Dakota’s militarized law enforcement has left many of them traumatized. ‘They came with their guns, their weapons and violence and put it on a peaceful people,’ says Lauren Howland, a member of the San Carlos and Jicarilla Apache tribes and Navajo Nation

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Measuring Arctic ice melt from from the sky – in pictures

The Guardian - Fri, 2016-11-04 21:07

Since 2010, Dr Thomas Krumpen from Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research has been flying above northern Greenland towards North Pole to measure ice thickness. By lowering a small torpedo from the aircraft towards the sea ice scientists are able to to obtain data from inaccessible areas helping to build a clearer picture ice health

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Paris climate deal enters force as focus shifts to action

BBC - Fri, 2016-11-04 20:13
The Paris agreement on climate change has come into force, with efforts due to continue next week on the way ahead.
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Inventor Sir James Dyson sets up college to tackle skills shortage

BBC - Fri, 2016-11-04 19:34
Inventor Sir James Dyson is setting up his own technology institute to tackle the shortage of engineers.
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The Paris climate agreement is now official

The Guardian - Fri, 2016-11-04 19:31

Environment groups hail ‘momentous occasion’ but warn governments need to cut carbon emissions more steeply to avoid dangerous global warming

The significance of the Paris agreement coming into force today is easy to miss: it may seem like an anti-climax, given the travails that led up to its signing last December.

But the moment is of huge importance. This is the first time that a legally-binding agreement, signed by all of the world’s functioning governments, has laid down a commitment to limit the growth of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere with the goal of preventing global warming exceeding 2C above pre-industrial levels.

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Few geese graze the murky marsh edge

The Guardian - Fri, 2016-11-04 15:30

Dyfi estuary, Wales A single egret, starkly white against the muted greys and browns of the saltings, flapped slowly up from the bed of a creek

From my vantage point on the southern side of the Dyfi estuary it was clear that my plan for the day had been compromised. The salt marsh, with its almost fractally complex pattern of creeks, pools and drains, is often host in late autumn to large groups of geese grazing contentedly within easy reach of the seawall.

On this visit those few geese visible through the pervasive anticyclonic murk were strung out along the seaward edge of the marsh, distant and difficult to approach. As if by compensation a single egret, starkly white against the muted greys and browns of the saltings, flapped slowly up from the bed of a creek just in front of me.

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The twisted arguments about energy supply and security

RenewEconomy - Fri, 2016-11-04 13:43
Another of Australia's dirtiest coal-fired generators has closed due to the confluence of incompatible energy market conditions. So how does that match with what the conservative types are telling us?
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Energy storage one of Australia’s “big opportunities:” Finkel

RenewEconomy - Fri, 2016-11-04 12:52
Australia’s chief scientist says battery and energy storage a "tremendous" innovation opportunity – and a primary focus for Commonwealth Science Council.
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Deutsche Bank sees South Australia at 95% renewables by 2025

RenewEconomy - Fri, 2016-11-04 12:50
Deutsche Bank predict the state of South Australia could easily beat its aspirational target of 50 per cent renewables by 2025.
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Paris climate change agreement enters into force

The Guardian - Fri, 2016-11-04 12:35

Environment groups hail ‘momentous occasion’ but warn governments need to cut carbon emissions more steeply to avoid dangerous global warming

The Paris agreement on climate change enters into force on Friday, marking the first time that governments have agreed legally binding limits to global temperature rises.

The passage of the accord – the fruit of more than two decades of often tortuous international negotiations on combating climate change – was hailed by nations and observers around the world.

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Health scare

BBC - Fri, 2016-11-04 11:02
Given the complexity of antibiotics resistance, what should we do to tackle the problem?
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Tesla’s price shock: Solar + battery as cheap as grid power

RenewEconomy - Fri, 2016-11-04 11:01
New pricing for Tesla Powerwall suggests solar and battery storage now competitive with grid power. For about $16,000, consumers can slash their grid bill to almost nothing and not worry about blackouts. The strategic and commercial implications are marvellous or frightening, depending on your vested interest.
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Windlab’s Kiata wind farm in Victoria reaches financial close

RenewEconomy - Fri, 2016-11-04 10:33
Windlab's 30MW Victorian wind farm, which is part owned by 24 of its neighbours, will be built in 2017 after reaching financial close.
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The world isn’t doing enough to slow climate change

RenewEconomy - Fri, 2016-11-04 10:26
The greenhouse gas emissions reductions countries have pledged aren’t nearly enough to meet the Paris goal.
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US designates electric vehicle charging corridors over 40,000kms of highways

RenewEconomy - Fri, 2016-11-04 10:25
White House announces designation of 48 electric vehicle charging corridors along 25,000 miles of major U.S. highways as a way to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
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Bias of SA Nuclear Royal Commission finally exposed

RenewEconomy - Fri, 2016-11-04 09:33
The bias of the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission is finally being exposed in mainstream media.
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'Flasher' frog found hidden in Australian swamp

BBC - Fri, 2016-11-04 09:33
A rare species of frog is discovered which startles predators by revealing its bright orange groin.
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Canadian government to go 100% renewable by 2025

RenewEconomy - Fri, 2016-11-04 09:31
All federal government buildings will source their electricity from renewable energy sources within the next eight years.
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