Feed aggregator
Forest rangers tortured and killed by illegal settlers in Liberia rainforest
Two forest patrollers have been killed and four hospitalised in what is believed to be retaliatory action from illegal settlers in Sapo National Park
Two forest rangers have been killed by a violent mob in a Liberian rainforest after discovering a community illegally settling and hunting in the park, according to authorities.
Related: Another day, another dead wildlife ranger. Where is the outrage? | Sean Willmore
Continue reading...Staying on course
Scientists climb the ocean mountain Balls Pyramid – video
A daring Australian Museum expedition to Balls Pyramid near Lord Howe Island has succeeded in its search for the rare and elusive Lord Howe Island stick insect
Continue reading...Study: to beat science denial, inoculate against misinformers' tricks | Dana Nuccitelli
A new study finds that explaining the techniques of science denial makes people resistant to their effects
After receiving misinformation from the anti-vaccine movement, including its founder Andrew Wakefield, immunization rates plummeted in a community of Somali immigrants in Minnesota, causing a measles outbreak among their children. It’s a disturbing trend on the rise in America that shows the importance of immunization and the dangerous power of misinformation.
A new paper published in PLOS One by John Cook, Stephan Lewandowsky, and Ullrich Ecker tests the power of inoculation; not against disease, but against the sort of misinformation that created the conditions leading to Minnesota measles outbreak. Inoculation theory suggests that exposing people to the tricks used to spread misinformation can equip them with the tools to recognize and reject such bogus claims.
Continue reading...Where they eat water lilies to survive: South Sudan’s remote islands – in pictures
While travelling across the country’s vast swampland – the Sudd – doing medical assessments, Chandra Gilmore, International Medical Corps’ South Sudan famine response team leader, took photographs and notes
Continue reading...Rare flowers destroyed in Australia after paperwork error
Origin energy deal sets new renewables price benchmark
'Completely shattered but incredibly high': inside the mind of an ultra-distance cyclist
The tragic death of Mike Hall, hit by a car in an Australian road race, left a hole in the world of endurance cycling. Craig Cunningham is one of many he inspired to ride an audax and experience the thrill of these most extreme rides
On 31 March I remember waking and looking at my phone to find an abundance of posts commemorating the life of cyclist Mike Hall. Hall was hit by a motorist in Australia and killed, just hours from completing the Indian Pacific Wheel Race which saw contestants ride across Australia unsupported, with the hardest riders pushing themselves for as much as 20 hours a day.
These incredible achievements aren’t done for giant cheques or coloured jerseys – the tangible rewards are just byproducts of a more personal journey. Such motives didn’t become clear to me until I took the plunge. I only realised the true extent on completing the London Wales London (LWL) audax – a 400km ride with a 27-hour time limit, vicious climbs including Yat Rock. The name alone held gravitas, bringing to mind professional races such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the legendary audax events of Paris-Brest-Paris.
Continue reading...Australian biosecurity officials destroy plant samples from 19th century France
Email mix-up blamed after historically significant plant samples incinerated by quarantine officials
Australian biosecurity officials have destroyed historically significant plant samples from 19th century France and damaged the reputation of Australian researchers, the head of the peak herbaria body has said.
In two separate incidents, quarantine officials have incinerated specimens sent to Australian research facilities from overseas.
Continue reading...Deal signed for 42.5MW Collinsville solar farm to replace old coal plant
Know your NEM: 5.6GW of new wind and solar under construction
Liberal MP says Australia's part in Paris climate pact may change if US quit
Zed Seselja says Turnbull government committed to climate change agreement, but if the US pulls out, it would put a question mark over the deal
A leading government conservative has put a question mark over Australia’s continued participation in the Paris climate agreement in the event Donald Trump decides the United States will pull out.
The assistant minister for social services and multicultural affairs, Zed Seselja, one of the government’s up-and-coming conservative figures, told Sky News on Monday that “as it stands” the Turnbull government was committed to Paris agreement, but if the US quit the pact, that would change the nature of the agreement.
Continue reading...Where the wild garlic grows
Clarach, Ceredigion Some like the smell, others endure it. In my case, the scent of Allium ursinum makes me feel hungry
My route through the beech woods was chosen to avoid the worst of the cold northerly wind that was cutting across the valley. Though the majority of leaves were still to open, the trees broke up the breeze and let me slacken the pace I’d needed to keep warm.
The acoustic of this woodland is softened by its deep, moist leaf litter; outside sounds are dramatically attenuated, letting you focus on the spring birdsong and the occasional creak of high branches stirring in the wind.
Continue reading...Plans brewing for Australian gigafactory and A-EV manufacture
Worries over US pullout to dominate UN climate talks
World Bank: let climate-threatened Pacific islanders migrate to Australia or NZ
World Bank argues structured migration program would prevent forced migration in future generations
Australia and New Zealand should allow open migration for citizens of Pacific nations threatened by climate change, to boost struggling island economies and prevent a later mass forced migration, a paper from the World Bank argues.
The policy paper, Pacific Possible, suggests, as one climate change adaptation measure, open access migration from Tuvalu and Kiribati – for work and permanent settlement – to Australia and New Zealand.
Continue reading...Higher, cheaper, sleeker: wind turbines of the future – in pictures
With the UK government ending subsidies for onshore wind and the Trump administration pushing for a return to coal, you might think the wind power revolution had run out of puff. Far from it. The cost of energy from offshore wind in Britain has fallen by a third since 2012, and wind accounts for over 40% of new capacity in the US, representing an annual investment of $13bn. Now next-generation wind technologies promise to make wind energy safer and more affordable – if they can make the difficult jump from research prototypes to commercial products
Continue reading...Redflow resumes battery storage deliveries, scores biggest sale
Herbert Smith Freehills advises Origin Energy on the sale of Stockyard Hill wind project
Farming the Sun has begun its first ever Northern Rivers Bulk Buy
Pages
