Feed aggregator

Our emotional register – how ‘doomy’ or ‘hopeful’ we are – will inevitably shape the policies we put forward

As the climate emergency creeps closer to the top of the political agenda, where it belongs, an argument is raging over communication. Exactly what to say about the environmental crisis, and how, is an important question for all sorts of people and organisations, including governments. It is particularly pressing for journalists, authors and broadcasters. For us, communication is not an adjunct to other activities such as policymaking or campaigning. It is our main job.

People need to know what is happening to glaciers, forests and endangered species, and what is being done about this. But information requires interpretation. And while editorial judgments influence the way that all subjects are covered, storytelling about the climate emergency is particularly fraught.

Continue reading...

The team's ambition to set a land speed world record requires more investment, the group says.

South Korea is lagging in its efforts to meet its 2030 NDC and its promise reach net zero emissions by mid-century, according to a report released Monday that also urged the government to slash allocation levels in its emissions trading scheme to drive a quicker decarbonisation of its energy sector.

• Florida scientists use juvenile bonnetheads for research
• Authors say findings applicable to other ocean-going sharks

Scientists in Florida have concluded that sharks possess an internal navigation system similar to GPS that allows them to use Earth’s magnetic forces to travel long distances with accuracy.

Related: Below the surface: reports of rising shark attacks don't tell the whole story

Continue reading...

Tesla's stance has also shone the spotlight further onto the carbon footprint of cryptocurrency – an issue that will not go away soon. John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society and NATSEM, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Controversial deal with China would be ‘disastrous’ for fishing and protected rainforest, say opponents

A $55m (£39m) deal struck by the government of Sierra Leone with China to build an industrial fishing harbour on 100 hectares (250 acres) of beach and protected rainforest has been criticised as “a catastrophic human and ecological disaster” by conservationists, landowners and rights groups.

The gold and black sands of Black Johnson beach fringe the African nation’s Western Area Peninsula national park, home to endangered species including the duiker antelope and pangolins. The waters are rich in sardines, barracuda and grouper, caught by local fishermen who produce 70% of the fish for the domestic market.

Continue reading...

Investigation reveals that ‘plastic waste coming from the UK to Turkey is an environmental threat, not an economic opportunity’

Turkey has become the latest destination for British plastic waste, which ends up dumped, burned or left to pollute the ocean, a Greenpeace investigation has found.

More than half of the plastic the British government says is being recycled are sent overseas, often to countries without the necessary infrastructure to do so. The UK exported 688,000 tonnes of discarded plastic packaging in 2020, a daily average of 1.8m kilos. Just 486,000 tonnes were recycled in the UK.

Continue reading...

Project turns trophy hunters’ hit list into a conservation tool – and reveals the animals we most want to see caught on camera

For trophy hunters, the big five are the toughest, most dangerous animals to kill, but a photography project has turned the meaning of shooting on its head, creating a new list of the five most fantastic creatures to capture on camera.

More than 50,000 people from around the world voted for animals they most liked seeing pictures of as part of the New Big 5 wildlife photography list. The crowning creatures are elephant, lion, polar bear, gorilla and tiger, all of which are keystone species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as either critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable.

Continue reading...

GPG's 97MW Victorian wind farm to be challenged in Supreme Court by locals hoping to have the planning permit revoked, just as construction is about to begin.

The post Hawkesdale wind farm heads to court as locals vow to fight “this monster” appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The new head of the Australian Energy Market Operator has started in his new job.

The post Daniel Westerman takes the reins as CEO of energy market operator appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Morrison government is betting heavily on failed climate alternatives and blatantly ignoring internationally proven technology, like electric vehicles.

The post The budget should have been a road to Australia’s low-emissions future. Instead, it’s a flight of fancy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Western Australia government is eyeing up to 100GW of new wind and solar to drive green hydrogen by 2030, and double that amount by 2040.

The post Western Australia eyes massive 100GW of wind and solar for green hydrogen by 2030 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Greenpeace says it found plastic waste from UK supermarkets dumped and burned at numerous sites.

Consortium of energy industry heavyweights unveils plan for large-scale renewable hydrogen production, transportation and export hub in NSW coal country.

The post Hydrogen Valley: Plan unveiled to turn Hunter into a renewables hydrogen hub appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A colony-building fern that grows in treetops on Lord Howe Island has adopted a lifestyle similar to social insects, turning our understanding of the evolution of biological complexity on its head. Kevin Burns, Professor, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In a year where climate action is accelerating and the EV industry is burgeoning, Australia's government is ramping up subsidies for oil refineries.

The post Taylor’s new $2 billion fossil subsidy snubs EVs and provides security only for oil companies appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Timber company VicForests won its appeal last week and logging is set to resume. Let's take a look at the dramatic implications for wildlife and the law. Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Ecology, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne Laura Schuijers, Research Fellow in Environmental Law, The University of Melbourne Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Researchers find road blocks that we’d already accepted before introduction of divisive low-traffic neighbourhoods

At least 25,000 traffic filters similar to those found in low-traffic neighbourhoods already exist across the UK, research has shown, with campaigners saying it proves both the efficacy of such schemes and the futility of demands to scrap them.

Dozens have been built in cities over the last year by councils seeking to boost walking and cycling levels during the coronavirus pandemic, prompting a sometimes frenzied level of debate.

Continue reading...

Victoria network proposes 20 big batteries and multiple syncons it says will fast-track new wind and solar and lessen need for new transmission lines.

The post Powercor proposes 20 big batteries for Victoria renewable energy zones appeared first on RenewEconomy.

John Kerry told the BBC technologies that don't yet exist will play a huge role in stabilising the climate.