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University of Chicago reports little change in global average particulate pollution in 2020, with increases in areas such as India

Lockdowns imposed to stop the spread of Covid led to “virtually no change” in global average particulate pollution levels during 2020, and in some of the most populous countries pollution increased, according to a study.

Analysis of revised satellite-derived data on PM2.5 levels, which measure minuscule and dangerous airborne particles, suggests that the economic lockdowns imposed across many parts of the world brought clear skies to some areas only temporarily.

According to the research by the Air Quality Life Index, based at the University of Chicago, the global population weighted-average PM2.5 level declined from 27.7 to just 27.5 μg/m3 between 2019 and 2020, remaining more than five times the WHO’s guideline, which was revised last year to 5 μg/m 3.

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Merle Liivand swam in choppy waters off Miami coast to raise awareness about importance of clean oceans

In the Little Mermaid, Ariel sings a whole song about wishing to be part of a world where people get to walk. Merle Liivand, on the other hand, wanted to do the opposite – and now holds the world record for the farthest swim as a mermaid.

Liivand swam 26.22 miles wearing a silicone monofin, in just over 11 hours in choppy waters off the coast of Miami on 7 May.

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Two cross-party committees of the European Parliament voted by a thin margin on Tuesday against including natural gas and nuclear energy on a list of climate-friendly investments, teeing up a full Parliament ballot early next month.

EUA prices made solid gains on Tuesday morning in as European lawmakers agreed to resubmit proposed changes to the ETS reform package to the full Parliament later in June, and as power and coal prices advanced on increasing cooling demand across much of Europe.

European oil major TotalEnergies has acquired a 25% stake in a new hydrogen-focussed business arm of the Adani conglomerate, Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL), as the Indian industrial behemoth also committed to a massive $50 billion investment in a green hydrogen ecosystem through the subsidiary over the next ten years, it was announced on Tuesday.

A crypto carbon initiative and an online marketplace have teamed up in an effort to boost the market for pre-purchasing voluntary carbon market (VCM) offsets and secure more funding for project developers.

The European Parliament’s environment committee (ENVI) on Tuesday backed a plan to effectively delay reopening divisive negotiations on EU ETS reforms ahead of a second attempt on vote on the measure by the full Parliament next week.

WA government says it will close remaining state-owned coal generators before 2030, committing to $3.8B in new clean energy investment.

The post WA to close remaining state-owned coal generators by 2030 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Mark McGowan says state’s two remaining coal-fired power stations are becoming less viable due to rise of renewable energy

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Western Australia will shut its last coal-fired power unit before the end of the decade and spend an extra half a billion dollars to foster new jobs for displayed workers, the state government said.

Later this year, the first of the 854-megawatt Muja power station’s units near Collie, south of Perth, will close, with the entire plant to be shut by 2029. The nearby 340MW Collie plant will exit the market by the end of 2027, the premier, Mark McGowan, said in a statement on Tuesday.

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Call comes after former UN climate envoy urged African countries to exploit their natural gas reserves

Africa must embrace renewable energy, and forgo exploration of its potentially lucrative gas deposits to stave off climate disaster and bring access to clean energy to the hundreds of millions who lack it, leading experts on the continent have said.

Their call came as the UN secretary general, António Guterres, warned that exploring for gas and oil anywhere in the world would be “delusional”.

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UN chief Antonio Guterres warns that the rush to find new sources of coal, oil and gas is a major mistake.

Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has awarded a A$2 million ($1.4 mln) grant to a local company that has developed a unique technology to dramatically improve fuel efficiency for aviation and shipping and cut carbon emissions in both sectors, it announced on Tuesday.

Edify locks in finance to start building 150MW/300MWh Tesla Megapack big battery featuring a "new vintage" of grid forming inverter controls.

The post Australia’s “largest grid forming battery” to go ahead after landing finance deal appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Bowen says there's no need to cut essential electricity use despite forecast shortfalls, as regulators remind generators of their obligation to play fairly.

The post Regulator reminds generators of market obligations as Bowen plays down risk of outages appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Fossil fuel generators want more market support to ensure the lights stay on. But their actions this week show they care more about profits than providing an essential service.

The post The day the fossil fuel industry lost all perspective, and threw away its social licence appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Only a handful of Australian companies have registered new offset projects with the Clean Energy Regulator the past week, while the nation’s corporate watchdog is urging industry to dob in those engaging in greenwashing.

An Australian invented "shark skin" coating, which can reduce drag for planes and ships, gets an investment boost from the CEFC.

The post Just a lick of paint: CEFC backs Aussie coating innovation to slash transport emissions appeared first on RenewEconomy.

After change in Australia's political tide, Australian cleantech startup incubator EnergyLab joins forces with New Energy Nexus to supercharge innovation.

The post EnergyLab joins forces with New Energy Nexus to “set loose” Australian innovation appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Lismore’s residents and businesses on the floodplain need to look at relocation, not rebuilding. Jerry Vanclay, Professor, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The entire park, spanning parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, will remain closed to visitors as officials assess damage to roads and bridges

Record flooding and rockslides following a burst of heavy rains prompted the rare closure on Monday of all five entrances to Yellowstone national park at the start of the summer tourist season, the park superintendent said.

The entire park, spanning parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, will remain closed to visitors, including those with lodging and camping reservations, at least through Wednesday, as officials assess damage to roads, bridges and other facilities.

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