South African court gives green light to domestic trade in rhino horn
Court dismisses government bid to uphold seven-year ban on domestic trade in rhino horn – but global ban remains in place South Africa’s supreme court has dismissed a government bid to uphold a seven-year ban on the domestic trade in rhino horn, an industry group said this week. The decision has no bearing on a […]
Edible cutlery as a replacement for plastics
Estimates suggest that in the U.S. alone, over 40 billion plastics utensils are used each year, most of which are consumed and thrown away, either to landfill or crushed and down-cycled into a lower grade of plastics. Indian cutlery company, called Bakeys, believes that it might have an innovative solution to this problem – cutlery […]
Uber introduces self-driving car
Just as large incumbent automotive manufacturers are embracing the changing face of mobility and personal transportation, some of the newer disrupters are beginning to branch out into a more complex picture as well. Uber is a ride-sharing app that has taken many cities by storm, but its creators may be preparing for the next step […]
Christopher Pyne on Q&A: Direct Action no emissions trading scheme – video
Speaking on Q&A, Christopher Pyne rejects a suggestion that the Coalition’s Direct Action climate policy could operate as a de facto emissions trading scheme, while responding to a question from the audience, Pyne claims the scheme was not intended to work that way. The industry minister and his regular sparring partner, opposition frontbencher Anthony Albanese, […]
Wildlife shows not reflecting reality of natural world – Springwatch presenters
BBC’s Chris Packham says nature reserves are becoming ‘a bit like art galleries’ while Martin Hughes-Games raises concerns about conservation The presenters of BBC2’s Springwatch have warned that wildlife programmes are failing to reflect the reality of the natural world. Chris Packham said there was a danger that nature reserves such as the RSPB’s Minsmere […]
Genetic engineering of humans has great potential, says Nobel winner
Sir Venki Ramakrishnan says risks and benefits of germline therapy, which is banned in Britain, should be debated The genetic engineering of humans has great potential to help those destined to inherit serious, incurable diseases, according to one of Britain’s most prominent scientists, who says the risks and benefits should be debated by society. The […]
Summer of content before a Dickensian storm
In Barnaby Rudge, his novel of the Gordon Riots, Charles Dickens gives us a vision of sunlit bliss before the murderous climax Barnaby and his mother have almost nothing, and Barnaby wants nothing, because he has his pet raven, Grip. “A crust of bread and scrap of meat, with water from the brook or spring, […]
Climate groups join forces for election campaign blitz
A coalition of organisations have entered into unprecedented joint action to ensure climate change is in the minds of voters on 2 July An unprecedented level of coordination between climate activists and conservation groups is aiming to raise the profile of climate change in this year’s election. A coalition of groups has been organising tactics […]
North Yorkshire council backs first UK fracking tests for five years
Council approves shale gas tests in village of Kirby Misperton despite receiving 4,375 objections to the plans Fracking is set to take place in Britain for the first time in five years after councillors approved tests in North Yorkshire, sweeping aside thousands of objections from residents and campaigners. Related: How does the fracking debate affect […]
Squids and octopuses thrive as 'weeds of the sea' warm to hotter oceans
Squid, cuttlefish and their relatives appear to benefit from ‘live fast, die young’ mentality as study shows cephalopods have thrived over past 60 years Octopuses, cuttlefish and squid have thrived in the world’s oceans over the last 60 years despite – or because of – human activity that has warmed oceans and reduced fish populations. […]