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The space observatory delivers a fascinating view of starbirth to mark one year of operations.

Volume of debris in the unexplored twilight zone is an ‘emerging threat’ to reefs already stressed by climate crisis, say scientists

No part of the planet is free of plastic waste, and coral reefs are no exception, but scientists have now made the discovery that the deeper the reef, the more plastic debris it is likely to have.

A study published in Nature found that not only is every coral reef encumbered with plastic, but almost three-quarters of the larger items were from “ghost gear” – fishing paraphernalia such as ropes, lines and nets. Food wrappers and plastic bottles were also common. The plastic constitutes an “emerging threat” to reefs already stressed by the climate crisis and overfishing, the researchers said.

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Around two-thirds of globally listed companies are exposed to ocean-based risk in the trillions of dollars over the next decade, according to an expert speaking during a webinar on Wednesday.

The number of climate-related shareholder resolutions globally has continued to rise during 2023’s proxy voting season, though there has been a slight decrease in the appetite to actualise these proposals, according to a new report.

A wildfire has consumed more than 4,000 hectares (9,984 acres) of a national park in eastern Bolivia over the weekend, Bolivian authorities said. Drone images showed plumes of smoke coming out of Otuquis national park in the Santa Cruz region, near the border with Brazil and Paraguay.

The fire entered a wet national park area on Tuesday, reducing its intensity but making it difficult for fire crews to fight the blaze

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Country’s ministers echo European governments, scientists and environmental organisations in citing need for robust regulation of fledgling sector

Canada has joined a growing list of nations calling for a pause on deep-sea mining in international waters amid fears the nascent, untested industry could cause ecological devastation without further study and clear safeguards.

Three ministers, for the country’s foreign affairs, natural resources, and fisheries and oceans departments, issued a statement on Monday that “in the absence of both a comprehensive understanding of seabed mining’s environmental impacts and a robust regulatory regime”, they supported a moratorium on commercial deep-sea mining.

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European prices advanced for a fifth day early on Wednesday, with light trading in a relatively narrow range as the market continued to track two technical levels, while energy prices dropped for a third day to further weaken the recent strong link between carbon and gas prices.

The joint chief executive of Thames Water has refused to apologise for allowing water companies to increase their debt during her time as chief of Ofwat, the water regulator. Cathryn Ross's comments came during a parliamentary committee session with Thames Water bosses as concerns mount over the financial viability of the company. Thames Water has secured £750m of emergency funding from its shareholders but the debt-ridden company warned it would need further funding in the years ahead

• Thames Water secures extra £750m from shareholders to help stave off nationalisation

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The European Parliament on Wednesday voted to adopt a position on a bill to restore at least 20% of the bloc’s sea and land areas by 2030, rescuing the divisive text after many right-leaning members had fought to kill it outright.

Even train delays and waits for buses felt worth it for the space to think and environmental benefits. Our public transport is full of untapped potential

The water was clear enough to notice the sun’s rays touch the seabed. Seconds later, the scene was repeated in light piercing the canopy of a beech tree, spotlighting patches of dry earth below. I stared through the salt-smeared window of the train as it raced north on Devon’s famous Riviera line. In the carriage my skin felt weathered and dry. I hadn’t washed my hair for days. Anyone might think I had been to a festival; but having spent the best part of the week on a boat doing research for a project, I felt like the sea, and preferred it. One arm was stretched across my 65-litre rucksack as I faced the window, its bulky weight my temporary home, my office, my explanation.

When I challenged myself to travel by low-carbon routes during the writing of my book on species in Britain affected by climate change, I experienced the best and worst of our lethargic – yet still often charming – transit network. When public transport works, it really works. As a woman in my 20s, travelling long-distance, especially solo by train and bike, is empowering. Personal space, silence and time are street sweepers on the brain. A stillness descends in the wake of a slower pace, and you’ve forgotten how much you needed it. Yes, you tire, but it’s a tiredness that tells me I’ve gone and done something. I’m not in traffic. I don’t need help with my bag. No, I am not lonely. Nothing is wrong.

Sophie Pavelle is the author of Forget me Not: Finding the forgotten species of climate-change Britain

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As climate pledges become reality, opposition to the green agenda is growing. And the populist right is latching on to it

When floods swept Europe in July 2021, killing more than 200 people in Germany, Belgium and neighbouring countries, it was a disaster that came as the climate crisis was moving to the top of Europe’s political agenda. All of a sudden, climate was no longer an abstract threat that could be batted into a distant future; it was already here, causing shocking weather events, destroying lives and leaving people homeless.

In northern Europe especially, spurred by the Fridays for Future school strikes, the climate crisis had already spilled into politics, pushing policy into action. But in 2021, measurable progress towards the goal of net zero emissions by 2050 began to be made. The EU didn’t just limit itself to ambitious targets, enshrined in laws and regulations. It also put its money where its mouth was.

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After years of waiting, Australian carbon project developer AgriProve Solutions has been issued Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) from one if its hundreds of soil carbon projects, it announced Wednesday.

20 years ago, solar and wind were expensive enough to make nuclear seem like an option for Australia. With cheap renewables a reality, there’s simply no point to domestic nuclear. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Countrywide is neck and neck with rival Line Hydrogen to refuel Tasmanian fuel cell-electric trucks.

The post Plug Power wins mandate for two 5MW electrolysers in Tasmania appeared first on RenewEconomy.

New Zealand's Cabinet has approved a rule change to the country’s emissions trading scheme to recognise all forms of carbon sinks for carbon credit generation, rather than just forestry, although it will be sometime before it is implemented, Climate Change and Environment Minister James Shaw has told local media.

A Japanese climate start-up has secured an exclusive offset sales partnership with Ecosystem Regeneration Associates (ERA), a Brazilian company that offers carbon credits through biodiversity conservation projects.

AEMO outlines works needed to make grid ready for 100 pct renewables, including tighter control of inverters and looking at the growing number of small solar farms.

The post AEMO targets inverters and small solar in engineering roadmap to 100 pct renewables appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

A donation of 2 million carbon credits made last week by a Belarusian group to kick-off trade on Zimbabwe’s new carbon exchange has been reportedly revealed to be comprised of banned Russian offsets, in a development that could further deter climate-related investment in the African nation.

The moment a giant panda gave birth to twins for the first time in South Korea has been captured on camera.