Cockroaches grind jaws five times stronger than humans, says research
Insect can bite with 50 times more force than its body weight, helping it to chew through tough materials such as wood The cockroach packs a powerful bite, thanks to jaws that can grind five times stronger than a human, or with 50 times more force than its body weight, researchers said. Faced with tough […]
Climate shift ushers in subtropical butterfly
Butterflies are full of surprises and this year they have saved their biggest until last: in the midst of an awful November, subtropical butterflies have been spotted on England’s south coast. The remarkable appearance of the long-tailed blue, a butterfly happiest in the heat of Africa or Australia, raises a mystery: will these insects simply […]
Events in Egypt put Sinai reefs at risk | Letters
In recent, soon to be published work, we show that the coral reefs of the Egyptian Sinai are the most valuable in the world, generating fine sand beaches, calm water and fabulous opportunities for world-class snorkelling and diving, all within a short flight from Europe. The tragedy of recent events (Report, 11 November) is complex and […]
Coal from Carmichael mine 'will create more annual emissions than New York'
Australia Institute calculations show average annual emissions from burning coal from Adani’s proposed mine would be more than many countries and big cities Coal from Adani’s proposed $16bn Carmichael project will create annual emissions similar to those from countries like Malaysia and Austria and more than New York City, according to calculations designed to highlight […]
Don’t fence it in – like the lion and the unicorn, the hedgehog must roam free | Hugh Warwick
To thrive, the threatened beast needs more holes in our back gardens. Let’s make it our national symbol, and start digging for a prickly victory Last night the MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, Oliver Colvile, stood up in parliament and made an impassioned speech in defence of the hedgehog. He suggested that in order […]
Defra hit by largest budget cuts of any UK government department, analysis shows
RSPB and Wildlife Trusts economists say cuts to environment department equal 57% in real terms over course of two parliaments The UK’s environment department is facing the largest cuts to its resources budget of any government department since 2009, according to an analysis by two of the country’s largest wildlife charities. The Treasury and the […]
Energy companies back National Grid blackout planning
E.ON and SSE endorse planning by National Grid as UK heads into potentially tough winter which could challenge stability of gas and power supplies Energy companies E.ON and SSE have given their support to the National Grid, after it pledged to secure sufficient power supply to avoid blackouts over what some forecasters predict will be […]
Brancheau, Blackfish and San Diego shutdown: a SeaWorld in turmoil timeline
As SeaWorld announces an end to its killer whale shows in San Diego, here is an overview of its recent troubled history, following trainer deaths, a critical documentary and social media action 24 February 2010SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau dies during a training session with Tilikum, the largest orca held at SeaWorld Orlando. Brancheau drowns after […]
Indonesia's forest fires: everything you need to know
The fires devastating Indonesia have been called a ‘crime against humanity’. How did they start, what damage are they causing and who’s to blame? As satellite data of the fire hotspots shows, forest fires have affected the length and breadth of Indonesia. Among the worst hit areas are southern Kalimantan (Borneo) and western Sumatra. The […]
Tibet’s plea: fix the roof of the world before it’s too late | Lobsang Sangay
My beautiful country is suffering the effects of climate change. To avoid catastrophe, leaders need to act urgently at the UN Paris conference The roof of the world. That is what Tibet has long been known as. The phrase conjures up images of summits, with their mountain peaks, glaciers, permafrost and the nomads who live […]