American coast braced for El Niño return
Oceanic warming event could wreak havoc in western Pacific but provide respite from US fires Back in March, following months of speculation, the US Climate Prediction Service declared the official start of El Niño. The first such event since 2009 and currently building across the Pacific, El Niño refers to a period of oceanic temperature […]
Scientist under attack after he kills bird that took decades to find
Case of the moustached kingfisher pits those who think ‘collecting’ can save a species against those who believe we should never kill rare animals For Christopher Filardi of the American Museum of Natural History, there is nothing like the thrill of finding a mysterious species. Such animals live at the intersection of myth and biology […]
Thinking ethical pays off as good guys come out on top
You can’t be entirely sure where your cash will go, but funds that have steered clear of controversial sectors such as gas and oil are prospering They have been ridiculed by some and overlooked by others, but ethical investment funds – and the people who have put money into them – are having the last […]
Feast for four-legged vacuum cleaners
New Forest The older pigs are intent on the job but the younger ones are behaving more like a bunch of playful children, bumping and chasing each other all over the place Four-legged vacuum cleaners are out. It’s been an excellent fruiting year. Hollies are heavily berried. Hawthorn hedges have a magenta sheen where the […]
Marine parks plan for north-west WA doesn't go far enough – conservationists
Horizontal Falls – described as one of the wonders of the natural world – would be included in marine parks, but critics say plan should ban commercial fishing The Western Australian government has released a proposal for two new marine parks which will protect a pristine stretch of Australia’s north-west coast. However, environmental groups say […]
Exxon's climate change denial warrants federal inquiry, congressmen say
Members of Congress claim that oil company’s ‘sustained deception campaign’ could be prosecuted through truth in advertising and racketeering laws Members of Congress have asked for a federal investigation into whether ExxonMobil broke the law by intentionally obscuring the truth about climate change. The two members of Congress wrote to Loretta Lynch, the attorney general, […]
Obama administration blocks new oil drilling in the Arctic
Interior Department cancels two future offshore leases in Chukchi and Beaufort seas and will refuse requests from oil companies to renew existing leases Barack Obama blocked off the prospects for future oil drilling in the Arctic on Friday, imposing new lease conditions that make it practically impossible for companies to hunt for oil in the […]
Former coal executive says company took safety shortcuts under ex-CEO
Former executive testifies Massey Energy was more concerned about having to pay fines than actually keeping mines safe under Don Blankenship A former coal executive who was dealt a prison sentence for mine violations testified on Friday that his company sometimes took shortcuts to produce coal under his top boss, ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. […]
Elizabeth May: Canadian Green leader elbows her way into election picture
The party doesn’t enjoy the same high profile in Canada as in Europe, but the tenacious May could very well wind up a power broker in a minority government Election 2015: a guide to the parties, polls and electoral system When the Canadian Green party leader, Elizabeth May, was excluded from three of the televised […]
Solar firm blames subsidy cuts for UK exit
Parent company says government does not support solar development, as Zep Solar UK becomes fourth UK solar business to close in a fortnightz A solar power company backed by the billionaire inventor Elon Musk has pulled out of the UK, blaming the government for not supporting the technology. Zep Solar UK, which is owned by […]