Fruits of labor: sunny California is no paradise for farm workers
The bucolic fields of southern California entice many families for a ‘pick your own’ day out, but it’s a very different reality for those working under the sun In one corner of the field, children plucked berries and mashed them into their mouths. In another they tugged carrots from the soil and waggled them in […]
As the mercury soars, fear grows over ‘air-con effect’
Energy experts warn more reliance on air conditioning, particularly in China, will accelerate climate change Most of the world will have air conditioning in their homes, workplaces and cars within 20 years, requiring thousands of power stations to be built and potentially accelerating climate change, energy experts say. As temperatures shatter records worldwide in 2016 […]
Toyota, Tesla and Vestas ranked among world’s top green companies
BusinessGreen: Clean 200 list finds world’s greenest large companies are outperforming most polluting counterparts by three to one Toyota, Tesla, Vestas, DONG Energy and Panasonic are among the top ranked companies in the first ever Carbon Clean 200 list, which claims the world’s greenest large companies are outperforming their more polluting counterparts by as much […]
Pilanguru people to fight on as uranium mine gets environmental approval
Traditional owners say the Indigenous community has not been adequately consulted about Vimy Resources’ planned Mulga Rock open-pit mine Traditional owners have vowed to fight a proposed uranium mine at Mulga Rock, about 240km west of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, which was given conditional environmental approval on Monday. The Environmental Protection Authority of WA recommended the […]
Kew Gardens in race to collect and preserve Madagascar's seeds
Scientists creating backup of Madagascar’s flora at Kew’s seed bank as deforestation threatens African island’s biodiversity Scientists are racing against time to create a backup of Madagascar’s famously rich and varied flora in a British seed bank before it is lost forever. Related: Madagascar’s vanilla farmers face volatile times after poor harvest Continue reading… Source: […]
New Forest being destroyed by growing number of ponies, says Chris Packham
Overgrazing is causing loss of woodland and wildlife as populations of the native breed have risen partly due to taxpayer subsidies, says the naturalist The New Forest national park is being destroyed by overgrazing by its ponies, driven in part by taxpayer subsidies, according to Chris Packham. The naturalist and broadcaster claims that overgrazing by […]
The leafcutter bee: Country diary 100 years ago
Originally published in the Manchester Guardian on 15 August 1916 A dragon-fly of our largest species visited the “Manchester Guardian” office about a week ago, entering through an open window. I have seen a Manchester-captured dragon-fly before, but the occurrence of the insect is worth recording; it is a powerful aeronaut and carnivorous, but why […]
Poor globally being failed on sanitation | Letters
WaterAid shares the global concern for the world’s top athletes dealing with the sewage in Rio’s bays (Report, 4 August). But the heavily contaminated waters don’t only put at risk the health of Olympians, it’s clear they also adversely affect the millions of people facing this faecal nightmare, day-in and day-out. Despite Brazil being an […]
Wallabies flourishing in the wild on Isle of Man
Animals native to Australia living happily on island ever since a pair escaped from wildlife park in the 1970s Wild wallabies, normally attuned to warmer climes, are thriving on the Isle of Man. The animals, native to Australia and Tasmania, have been flourishing on the tiny island in the middle of the Irish Sea ever […]
Zika virus: Floridians fear 'Pandora's box' of genetically altered mosquitos
Scientists say Key Haven is ‘the perfect’ island for releasing the genetically modified insects – but locals refuse to be ‘lab rats’ in FDA-cleared experiment The Florida Keys are three months out from a straw poll vote on whether to release millions of genetically modified mosquitoes on an island just east of Key West, and […]