State buys back controversial BHP mining licence on Liverpool plains
New South Wales government says it paid $220m to reclaim licence for fertile farming area, and is in talks to do the same with neighbouring Shenhua The New South Wales government has bought back BHP’s licence to mine for coal in the fertile farming regions of the Liverpool plains for $220m, and says it is […]
Dinosaur-surviving mammal endangered by stray dogs
Research shows the solenodon evolved more than 70 million years ago – in time to hang out with dinosaurs. But today these unique mammals face a barrage of threats including stray dogs, feral cats, invasive mongoose and deforestation. If there was any justice in the animal kingdom – any at all – the solenodon would […]
Eight tagged golden eagles disappear in Scottish Highlands
Inquiry begins after conservationists point to systematic persecution by gamekeepers but landowners say this is a political ploy Scottish grouse moor owners have been warned they face much tougher regulation after an inquiry was launched into the disappearance of legally protected golden eagles in the Highlands. Related: England’s last golden eagle feared dead Continue reading… […]
Trade with China is a good thing. But Hinkley Point is a dud | Simon Jenkins
Theresa May is right to resist the lobbyists and halt this reckless and absurdly expensive nuclear deal. There are far better alternatives For Theresa May, getting to be prime minister was easy. Your predecessor makes a hash of things. Party rivals knife each other in the back or throw in the towel. You then mouth […]
Nuclear espionage charge for China firm with one-third stake in UK's Hinkley Point
China General Nuclear Power, and engineer Allen Ho, allegedly conspired to develop nuclear material without US approval The Chinese company with a major stake in the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power station has been charged by the US government over nuclear espionage, according to the US justice department. In a 17-page indictment, the US […]
Dairy groups blast methane reductions: ‘Cows expel gas so they don’t explode’
California wants to limit the amount of greenhouse gas emitted by belching and farting of 5.5 million cows, but the industry is hitting back with a dose of reality California’s attempt to curb emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is facing vocal opposition from a dairy industry that fears government meddling in the flatulence […]
Fracking ‘bribes’ raise problematic questions | Letters
The latest “community support” offer from the Treasury (Fracking payouts condemned as ‘bribes’, 8 August) for those areas having fracking rigs installed is truly a Russian roulette gamble for local people. An article in the Washington Post on 10 April last year, headlined “Rise of deadly radon gas in Pennsylvania buildings linked to fracking industry”, […]
Oil rig in Western Isles may have leaked tonnes of diesel into Atlantic
Salvage teams believe two fuel storage tanks on Transocean Winner platform have been breached after rig crashed into rocks in storm Salvage experts fear that tonnes of diesel has leaked into the Atlantic after a drilling rig ran aground, breaching its fuel tanks, in the Western Isles of Scotland earlier this week. The specialists believe […]
Agriculture and overuse greater threats to wildlife than climate change – study
Efforts to address climate change must not overshadow more immediate priorities for the survival of the world’s flora and fauna, say researchers Agriculture and the overexploitation of plants and animal species are significantly greater threats to biodiversity than climate change, new analysis shows. Joint research published in the journal Nature on Wednesday found nearly three-quarters […]
Pressure mounts on retailers to reform throwaway clothing culture
Americans dispose of about 12.8m tons of textiles annually. But a growing number of environmentalists and clothing retailers say it’s time to begin making new clothes out of old items on a large scale, reports Yale Environment 360 Fast-growing, fast-fashion retailer H&M, which has more than 4,000 stores in 62 countries, sold $24.5bn worth of […]