Feed aggregator

A nursery has banned children from making Christmas decorations using glitter, suggesting the sustainable alternatives of rice and lentils. But what about quinoa?

A nursery chain has identified glitter as a harmful pollutant, and banned children from using it when making Christmas decorations this year. Instead, Tops Day Nurseries is now promoting rice and lentils as substitute festive materials. However, not everyone has access to rice and lentils, so here are some other environmentally friendly glitter alternatives.

Continue reading...

The BBC’s usual standards of impartiality and respect too often fall short when it comes to cyclists, as one show this week – where a pundit labelled them fanatics and even compared them to Nazis – sadly demonstrates

The scene is a BBC talk show. The subject is a particular niche pursuit enjoyed by a very disparate group of people who otherwise have nothing in common. And things aren’t going well.

The presenter – a man known for actively disliking this group – has assembled a seemingly balanced two-person panel, but repeatedly interjects to make it clear he finds the people being discussed annoying and weird.

Continue reading...

Tesla has shown off the long awaited Tesla Semi truck, but surprised many with its new Roadster sports car.

Veteran climate scientist says litigation campaign against government and fossil fuels companies is essential alongside political mobilisation in fighting ‘growing, mortal threat’ of global warming

One of the fathers of climate science is calling for a wave of lawsuits against governments and fossil fuel companies that are delaying action on what he describes as the growing, mortal threat of global warming.

Former Nasa scientist James Hansen says the litigate-to-mitigate campaign is needed alongside political mobilisation because judges are less likely than politicians to be in the pocket of oil, coal and gas companies.

Continue reading...

The first known asteroid to visit our Solar System from interstellar space has been given a name.

Tops Day Nurseries group cracks down amid fears children’s favourite could be as harmful to environment as microbeads

Glitter, as anyone who has ever worn it knows, has a habit of turning up in unexpected places days later, even after a good scrub. However, a new peril has emerged from the sparkly substance: it is adding to the plastic pollution in our seas.

A group of nurseries in southern England has banned the use of glitter among its 2,500 children to reduce the amount of microplastics entering the seas.

Continue reading...

Bretton, Derbyshire Finches, fieldfares, tits, siskins and bramblings line up for the feeders at this remote cottage

The road between Abney and Bretton had been closed for much of the summer as a landslip was repaired. The ground hereabouts is wormed through with faults and weaknesses, a legacy of shale rocks and local lead mining. It’s a boundary of sorts, between limestone country to the south and dark gritstone moors to the north, a place of geomantic charm and mystery, hidden corners and unexpected angles.

Now the road was open again, offering some of the best views in the Peak District. I stopped at a remote cottage where a rough footpath led down into the head of Bretton Clough.

Continue reading...

With Lahore suffering from air pollution almost equal to that enveloping Delhi, joint action to tackle the problem is urgently needed, say environmentalists

Parts of Pakistan have been enveloped by deadly smog in recent weeks, with the city of Lahore suffering almost as badly as the Indian capital Delhi.

Pictures and video that show Lahore looking like an apocalyptic landscape have left people in shock. Some residents have said they can’t see beyond their outstretched arm.

Continue reading...

Elon Musk is unveiling his company's electric truck, the Tesla Semi, at a launch in California today. Here's what we know...

Despite report after report linking air pollution to deterioration of the lungs, heart and brain, Professor Robert Phalen believes the air is “too clean” for children.

There is a better alternative to the NEG, taking the lead of the UK, Germany, Portugal, even China, who have all set policy to move aggressively towards clean energy.

Stage 2 of Genex Power’s solar and pumped hydro project set to reach financial close in 2018, with help of new federal government grant.

A new coal generator in north Queensland would likely burn up to 79 per cent of its asset base - at the cost to Queensland taxpayers.

Australian Solar Council launches massive campaign against LNP in Queensland poll, saying there is too much at stake to ignore.

Networks and consumer groups say taking rural customers off grid - and providing them with solar and storage - can save billions, and make electricity cleaner, safer and more reliable. It's a no brainer, but the regulator stands in the way.

GE Renewable Energy has announced the appointment of Steven Oswald as the new Country Executive for the Wind business in Australia & New Zealand. Further, David Lian has been promoted to Head of Sales for Wind in Australia and New Zealand.

Season 3 lands Saturday 18 November. Foodies, Brains, Drugs, Beatles...and more. Science and culture with the spice added.

US President Donald Trump has reversed a ban and will now allow the importation of elephant parts from countries including Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The latest round of UN climate negotiations wind up in the German city of Bonn later today with 200 nations discussing the future of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

The Queensland election is just over a week away, with a sharp divide emerging between the major parties and Pauline Hanson's One Nation on key issues such as the future of renewable energy - and the building of new coal mines like Adani.