Reykjavík: the geothermal city that aims to go carbon neutral
Icelandic capital plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2040 by reversing urban sprawl and promoting walking, cycling and public transport Reykjavík used to be marketed as a place of “pure energy”, run on geothermal power – and now Iceland’s capital is trying to become the world’s first carbon neutral city. Last […]
All nature flourishes along the hedgerows: Country diary 100 years ago
Originally published in the Manchester Guardian on 7 October 1916 Surrey, October 5A warm sun, as of the latter days of August, broke through this morning and brought summer along the hedgerows. Almost before the dew had dried, a dragon-fly, green and gold, was searching over the tops of the bushes, where almost innumerable insects […]
Hydrogen cars and electrolysers: the dawn of Australia's hydrogen economy?
Two large-scale hydrogen facilities in the ACT could mark a turning point in the use of clean tech for transport and heating The hydrogen economy has been a long time coming. The use of hydrogen as a replacement energy source for oil and gas has been talked about since the early 1970s when the term […]
Medical staff in dark about policies to mitigate health risks of climate change, study says
While some states have begun developing climate and health policies, 65% said they were not aware of any such policies Australian health professionals overwhelmingly say they don’t know of any policies that deal with the health implications of climate change, despite the World Health Organisation saying “climate change is the greatest threat to global health […]
Countries fail to agree on complete ban to protect African lions from global trade
The 182 countries at the Johannesburg summit did reach a compromise banning only the trade in bones, teeth and claws from wild lions An attempt to ban all international trade in African lions, from trophy heads to bones, has failed at a global wildlife summit. Related: Cecil the lion’s legacy: death brings new hope for […]
World's nations agree elephant ivory markets must close
With poachers killing an elephant every 15 minutes on average, the pressure to shut down the legal trade in ivory is intensifying Legal ivory markets across the globe must be urgently closed in order to combat the elephant poaching crisis, according to an agreement struck by 182 nations on Sunday. The decision is significant in […]
African grey parrot has global summit to thank for protected status
Convention in Johannesburg votes to end all international trade in popular pet birds whose populations have plummeted The loquacious African grey parrot, one of the most illegally trafficked birds in the world, has been talking itself towards extinction for years thanks to its reputation as a gregarious and long-living pet. On Sunday it was given […]
India to ratify Paris climate change agreement at UN
Narendra Modi has committed that by 2030 at least 40% of country’s electricity will be generated from non-fossil sources India will ratify the Paris climate change agreement at the United Nations, an environment ministry official said. Narendra Modi’s cabinet had given its approval on Wednesday to ratify the Paris agreement on Sunday. The date is […]
Butterfish is a big problem for little puffins
Warmer seas have attracted a new fish to the Maine coast – but puffin chicks can’t stomach it Eastern Egg Rock is a freezing speck of island that clings to the coast of Maine, north of Boston. It is fringed with a few bushes, has little soil and no supplies of fresh water. Yet this […]
South Australian blackout: Josh Frydenberg says renewable energy not to blame
But energy minister says states are pursuing ‘ridiculously high and unrealistic’ targets and calls for wider debate Early inquiries into South Australia’s blackout say it was not caused or exacerbated by the state’s dependency on renewable energy, the federal energy minister, Josh Frydenberg, has said, calling for a “real debate” on the issue regardless. Extreme […]