California drought: governor makes certain water-wasting bans permanent
As the drought persists Governor Jerry Brown has made some water conservation measures permanent, such as a ban on overwatering lawns Governor Jerry Brown has ordered California to adopt permanent water conservation measures in response to a devastating five-year drought, including long-term bans on wasteful practices and mandatory reporting rules. While the drought has become […]
People may be breathing in microplastics, health expert warns
Environmental health professor says microparticles of plastic, known to damage marine life, could be entering the air People could be breathing in microparticles of plastic, according to a leading environmental health expert, with as yet unknown consequences on health. Microplastics are known to be damaging to life in the oceans, with marine creatures mistaking them […]
Carbon dioxide emissions from US energy sector fall 12% since 2005
The shift comes amid a decline in the use of coal and increase in the use of natural gas to generate electricity, energy officials say Carbon dioxide emissions from the US’s energy sector fell in 2015 and now stand at 12% below 2005 levels, a drop mainly driven by the continuing collapse of the coal […]
Brexit could turn Irish border into new Calais, says EU commissioner
Former Irish cabinet minister says there are growing fears in Dublin that country could be used as back door into UK Politicians in the Irish Republic fear their border towns could become the “new Calais” if Britain votes to leave the EU, as irregular migrants use Ireland as a back door into the UK, according […]
Why we love the chough, and its soap opera life | Patrick Barkham
The chough had once vanished from England, but since 2002 there has been a growing colony of these fascinating birds in Cornwall The dawn chorus is deafening in my neck of the woods at the moment. The blackbirds are like loquacious honey-voiced DJs and the thrush is gloriously strident, but I’ve never heard two birds […]
UK government accused of pursuing 'gimmicks' to tackle air pollution
Green lawyers criticise government after it emerged experts were commissioned to explore whether high-tech paint could reduce NO2 levels Lawyers have accused the government of pursuing gimmicks to tackle illegal air pollution, after it emerged experts were asked to examine whether high-tech paint could fix the problem. After losing a legal battle over pollution in […]
Solar has a bright future in the UK despite Tory efforts to cloud the picture
The tough, innovative and resilient UK solar industry can outlast this government’s energy policies King Canute is alive and well in Britain. While solar energy has become a global success story over the past few years, with tumbling costs and exploding deployment, Britain, which was keen on the technology, has slammed on the brakes, casting […]
'People are tired of 70 years of killings and violence': Colombia's peace process
Two activists in Colombia talk about their hopes and fears over bringing an end to the world’s longest running civil war Father Alberto Franco has spent much of his life speaking out for the most vulnerable people in Colombia – men and women who have been kicked off their land and attacked by armed groups […]
A grand but faulty vision for Iran's water problems
Massive water transfer schemes are no solution to Iran’s growing problems with drought A grand vision of eliminating water scarcity looks attractive for tens of millions of people in the desert cities of central Iran worried about drought. Ambitious water transfer projects are being put in place to answer a call from President Hassan Rouhani. […]
Satellite Eye on Earth: April 2016 – in pictures
Iran’s salt desert, New Suez Canal and British astronaut Tim Peak’s snap of UK under an aurora were among the images captured by European Space Agency and Nasa satellites last month Dasht-e Kavir, the swirling landscape of Iran’s salt desert, is reminiscent of an abstract painting. With temperatures reaching 50C in the summer, this area […]