UK water companies receive record sewage leak fines
Firms face tougher penalties aimed at reducing the number of pollution offences Water companies have been hit by a series of record fines for major sewage leaks and other pollution incidents. Yorkshire Water was fined £1.1m for illegally discharging sewage that polluted the river Ouse near York, while Thames Water was fined £1m for repeated […]
The arsonists of Fort McMurray have a name | Martin Lukacs
Fossil fuel corporations are causing the climate change fuelling mega-fires – and they should be footing the bill for the devastation As the fire that ravaged Fort McMurray finally moves past the city, and the province tallies the heartbreaking damage, a search will begin to discover the source of the destruction. Investigators will comb the […]
EDF sets aside extra £2.7bn to cover Hinkley Point construction costs
Energy company has made provision for outlay to increase to almost £21bn to ensure completion of nuclear reactor EDF, the French utility group lined up to build twin nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point in Somerset, has said the cost of the project could be £2.7bn higher than previously expected, at nearly £21bn. In a statement […]
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation divests entire holding in BP
World’s largest health charity sells its $187m stake in the oil giant in a move welcomed by fossil fuel divestment campaigners The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has sold off its entire holding in oil giant BP, in a move welcomed by fossil fuel divestment campaigners. Bill Gates has called the selling off of coal, […]
Air pollution health timebomb poses a major threat to development
A World Health Organisation report shows little escape from poisoned air in poorer countries, resulting in 3 million premature deaths worldwide a year Countries are finding that the urban economic development to which they aspire brings poisoned air, ill-health, massive costs, a low quality of life and, probably, an early death for a very great […]
Campaign catchup: Shorten celebrates a birthday and the PM downs a beer
The main party leaders hit the stump in Queensland and Melbourne, but the ghost of a prime minister past just won’t go away, writes Elle Hunt To the news of the day: happy 49th birthday, Bill Shorten! Asked what he was getting, he said: “My present is standing right next to me”, gesturing to his […]
Why is climate champion Richard Branson allowing deniers on a Virgin podcast? | Graham Readfearn
Despite more than 90% of experts agreeing on the science, listeners hear incorrect and ridiculous claims from James Delingpole – all ‘in the interest of balance’ Aside from the facial hair and the petrol-guzzling international airline, one thing Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson is known for is his passion for fighting climate change. “We need […]
Dystar: First textile dye company to earn cradle-to-cradle certification
DyStar, a global textile dye supplier has been awarded Cradle to Cradle accreditation at the gold level for the material qualities across a selection of its products making it the first company of its kind to achieve such an accreditation. It represents a significant positive step for textile companies with a product on the market that […]
Winter visits to England's green spaces fewest in four years – survey
Trips to the coast, to green spaces in towns and to the countryside all decreased during wet and stormy season The number of trips made to England’s coasts, parks and countryside between December and February was the lowest in four winters, according to a survey. Natural England said visits fell 15% from the same quarter […]
Woman sets out to paddleboard length of England to highlight plastic pollution
Lizzie Carr aims to become the first person to stand-up paddleboard 643km along connected waterways from Surrey to Cumbria A female adventurer is aiming to become the first person to paddleboard the length of England via connected waterways to highlight the issue of plastic pollution. Lizzie Carr set off on Wednesday morning from Godalming, Surrey, […]