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Exclusive: invasive red-billed leiothrix could threaten native bird populations such as robins and blackbirds, researchers warn

A brightly coloured subtropical songbird from Asia could colonise Britain’s gardens and change the dawn chorus for ever, a new paper warns.

The highly invasive red-billed leiothrix could threaten native bird populations, particularly competing with garden birds such as the robin and blackbird, researchers say. Early signs suggest this little bird – olive green with a bright red beak and yellow throat – may already be establishing itself in gardens and woodlands in southern parts of the country.

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Environmentalists fear a toxic disaster is occurring on the seabed, and government denials seem less and less plausible

With every passing week, it looks more like a cover-up. The repeated mass strandings of crabs and lobsters on the coast of north-east England, and the ever less plausible explanations provided by the government, are the outward signs of an undersea disaster and a grim new politics.

Last October, beaches around the Tees estuary and along the coast of North Yorkshire were suddenly covered in dead and dying crabs and lobsters. The government launched what it called an “investigation”. In January, hundreds of dogs reportedly fell ill after being walked on the same beaches. In February, a government press release announced that the mass death of sea creatures was caused by an “algal bloom” – a rapid increase in the population of algae that can release toxins into the water and affect other wildlife.

George Monbiot is a Guardian columnist

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There is a long history of nuclear energy being used as a delaying tactic for acting on climate change in Australia

• Peter Dutton says he’s ‘not afraid’ of nuclear debate after advocate named shadow energy minister
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Last week, the Nationals’ new leader, David Littleproud, said it was time for Australia to have a “mature” conversation about nuclear energy while his predecessor, Barnaby Joyce, called for a national moratorium to be lifted and argued nuclear power would be “really important” if the country was serious about reaching net zero emissions.

On Sunday, the nuclear power advocate Ted O’Brien was appointed as the Coalition’s climate change and energy spokesperson. In an interview with ABC Radio National, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said he was “not afraid to have a discussion on nuclear” as the country should not be afraid to “talk about any technology that’s going to have the ability to reduce emissions and electricity prices”.

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Extinction, a new book by Marc Schlossman, explores endangered and extinct species and the factors threatening them through a rare behind the scenes look at one of the most important sets of natural history collections in the world at the Field Museum in Chicago

Conservation status chart:

Vulnerable

Endangered

Critically endangered

Extinct

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Controversial asphyxiation method used in 73% of culls this year despite vets urging its use to be limited

The US poultry industry has increasingly switched to “the most inhumane method available” to cull tens of millions of birds during the latest outbreak of avian influenza, according to government data.

Outbreaks of the disease, also known as bird flu, have wreaked havoc across Europe and the US this year, with 38 million birds killed in the US so far.

But how these birds are killed has generated controversy, with veterinarians and animal welfare campaigners urging an end to the use of the ventilation shutdown method, which kills animals by sealing off the airflow to the poultry sheds and increasing temperatures to lethal levels.

Workers have described the method as like “roasting animals alive”. European officials have said it should not be used in the European Union.

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For the first time, we calculated Australia’s share of planetary environmental boundaries and found we’ve shot past three already. Romy Zyngier, Senior Research Manager, Climateworks Centre Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Coal outages and supply shortfalls send coal generation to record lows in main grid, as price chaos continues despite record wind output.

The post Market chaos as outages push coal output to record low, despite new wind peaks appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Elders is looking for a Carbon Farming Business Development Specialist to join its team on a Fixed Term contract until November 2023 and help it deliver a carbon farming service to the Australian agricultural industry.

Canberra households will see their electricity costs fall from 1 July, as renewables contracts shield consumers from surging wholesale electricity prices.

The post ACT reaps dividend from 100 pct renewables as energy bills fall despite market chaos appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Can one department adequately tackle climate change, energy, the environment and water? It’s unlikely. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's biggest and most advanced offshore wind project names its new CEO, fresh from building one of the biggest onshore wind farms.

The post Australia’s biggest offshore wind project names new CEO appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A group of mostly US-based market veterans coming from firms like Macquarie and South Pole have teamed up to co-found a start-up aiming to produce “ultra-high quality carbon offsets” at scale in emerging markets.

Labor needs to launch an inquiry into coal outages, turbocharge renewables, and introduce a capacity mechanism for new dispatchable capacity.

The post Three ways Albanese government can ease pressure on power bills appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The top six solar farms in the month of May were all located in the Sunshine State, but could do little to stop the fossil-fuel inspired hikes in prices.

The post Sunshine state hosts best performing solar farms in May, but can’t stop record prices appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Ideas shouldn’t be ruled out ‘simply because it’s unfashionable to talk about them’, Liberal leader says

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Peter Dutton has confirmed that his frontbench pick for the opposition’s climate and energy portfolio signals he is up for a debate about nuclear power in Australia.

In Sunday’s reshuffle the Liberal MP and nuclear power advocate Ted O’Brien was appointed to the shadow cabinet in the crucial portfolio.

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It’s difficult to see how Labor can both embrace the gas industry and reduce emissions to its target of 43% by 2030.

The post Ultra-polluting gas project could blow Labor’s climate target – and it just got the green light appeared first on RenewEconomy.

US climate envoy John Kerry warns the world is "cooked" if countries continue using coal.

China plans to put astronauts on the Moon and send probes to Mars and Jupiter. Why the grand plans?

EU institutions, stakeholders and experts agree that the EU’s carbon market should serve as the centrepiece of Europe’s decarbonisation efforts. To reach enhanced climate ambition for 2030, the EU needs a well-functioning carbon market fostering cost-efficient emission reductions. However, this role has just been cast into doubt.

When Melbourne had to isolate during COVID lockdowns, Greg Moore and his family discovered the pleasure of a very fine fungi-spotting season. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.