Pesticide blamed for huge drop in frog numbers along Queensland coast
The Cairns Frog Safe project blames neonicotinoids for population decline and malformations, but cannot attract government or academic interest The head of Australia’s only dedicated frog hospital believes powerful insecticides are behind a staggering decline in frog populations along the Queensland coast. Related: Neonicotinoids: new warning on pesticide harm to bees Continue reading… Source: Guardian […]
UK expedition explores potential and risks of deep sea gold rush
Huge rich-metal deposits on the ocean floor could transform the global commodities market but there are fears mining them could harm rare ecosystems A scientific expedition has been launched from the UK to explore the mining of rich metal deposits on the deep ocean floor, which are the focus of a new gold rush around […]
A walk among clouds on Liathach's fabled ridge
Glen Torridon, Liathach, Highlands The path that worms up alongside the waterfalls is invisible until we’re on it From Glen Torridon, Liathach looks impregnable, with little sign of a way upwards; the path that worms up alongside the waterfalls of the Allt an Doire Ghairbh is invisible until we’re on it. The vast bulwarks and […]
Climate change: big four banks' lending to Australian renewables projects falls
Market Forces finds only two financing deals closed in first half of 2016 despite banks’ purported support for sector Australia’s big four banks’ lending for Australian renewable energy projects has tumbled in the first half of 2016, despite all of them spruiking their continuing support for the sector. Based on public announcements from the banks […]
Food Standards Agency urges UK to cut down on freezer-related waste
FSA identifies myths preventing people from freezing food, as households throw away 7 million tonnes of food a year Consumer ignorance about how to freeze food safely is helping to fuel the annual 7-million-tonne household food waste mountain in the UK, the government’s food watchdog has said. The Food Standards Agency, working with the government […]
Dark woods inspire fantasies: Country diary 100 years ago
Originally published in the Manchester Guardian on 8 July 1916 SurreySun and rain, coming almost together, have extended the branches and enlarged the leaves in the great woods that spread over many acres beyond our commons. You are housed now in their recesses under dark green roofs through which the eye cannot penetrate; there is […]
Dartmoor beauty spot is battleground for Britain’s threatened woodlands
A couple who have cared for woodland on their Devon farm for five years face a costly legal battle with national park planners. Here they explain why the country’s heritage is at stake It is an idyllic spot. Sylvan slopes dip down to a babbling river fringed by alder and willow that winds through organic […]
The eco guide to electric vehicles
It’s the future: EVs are making a greener dream come true “You lot [earth lovers] won’t be happy till there’s rose petals coming out the exhaust,” a car industry insider complained to me. I’d settle for an electric vehicle. Not emission free (you have to factor in the source of the electricity), but a technology […]
Dead whale towed off California beach and back to sea after big stink
Authorities used boats and ropes attached to tail to pull the humpback far out into the water before Fourth of July weekend crowds began arriving The reeking carcass of a dead humpback whale was towed back out to sea some 24 hours after it washed up at a popular Los Angeles County beach on Friday. […]
Farmers forecast food price rises and job losses in life after the EU
At the Royal Norfolk Show, some producers were looking forward to a post-Brexit Britain, while others worried about workers for fruit fields and abbatoirs As England’s largest agricultural jamboree, the Royal Norfolk Show normally functions as a shop window for the country’s farming prowess. But this year it also offered a glimpse of the problems […]