Wildlife thriving around Chernobyl nuclear plant despite radiation
High numbers of elk, deer, boar and wolves show long-term effect of world’s worst nuclear accident is less damaging than everyday human activity, say scientists Wildlife is abundant around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear plant, despite the presence of radiation released by the world’s most catastrophic nuclear explosion nearly three decades ago, researchers have […]
Confusing government policy biggest threat to UK clean energy, says top academic
Lack of clarity is damaging investment in renewable energy, as well as gas and nuclear, says director of Imperial College London’s centre for energy policy The biggest threat to renewable energy in the UK, and the country’s energy systems, comes from a lack of clarity on the part of government, a leading academic has said. […]
Sneezing monkeys, walking fish and 200 other new(ish) species
Hundreds of new species have been discovered in the eastern Himalayas in recent years, including the tissue-wielding Myanmar snub-nosed monkey Name: The sneezing monkey. Age: Depends what you mean. Continue reading… Source: Guardian Environment
Nearly a third of world's cacti face extinction, says IUCN
Illegal trade is causing shocking decline in plants that are vital to desert ecosystems, most comprehensive global assessment yet reveals Nearly a third of the world’s cacti are facing the threat of extinction, according to a shocking global assessment of the effects that illegal trade and other human activities are having on the species. Cacti […]
UN publishes draft of slimmed-down Paris climate change deal
Draft text of climate deal is cut down from more than 90 pages to just 20 pages in boost for international talks on cutting carbon emissions after 2020 A new draft of the potential global agreement on climate change, to be negotiated this December in Paris, has been published by the United Nations. The text […]
Royal Society of Biology photography awards shortlist – in pictures
A mid-flight bird fight and flowers on a Himalayan pass are among images capturing this year’s theme of conflict and survival. The winners will be announced at the Royal Society of Biology Awards Ceremony in London on 15 October, as part of Biology Week Continue reading… Source: Guardian Environment
Chile to create one of world's largest marine parks around Easter Island
Plans put forward by the local people will ban fishing in over 600,000 sq km of the Pacific ocean Chile will create one of the world’s biggest marine parks around the Pacific waters of Easter Island, president Michelle Bachelet said on Monday. If the island’s indigenous Rapa Nui people approve the plan after a consultation […]
Plastic bag charge: is there really panic on the streets?
Despite dire warnings, our reporter fails to uncover chaotic scenes on our high streets, and even manages to acquire a few free bags Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast seemed to manage perfectly well with a 5p bag charge, but Monday’s Daily Mail predicts “chaos” because retail staff could struggle with the complex rules. As Monday marks […]
Supermarkets donate plastic bag proceeds to dementia fund
A dementia research centre at UCL will receive millions as Asda, Morrisons, Iceland and Waitrose pledge carrier bag money Four of the UK’s biggest supermarkets have announced they will put proceeds from the 5p carrier bag charge into a single fund to fight dementia. Asda, Iceland, Morrisons and Waitrose have pledged funds from the levy […]
Circular Economy Could Create 13,000 New Jobs In Northern Ireland
A new report produced by the Resource Innovation Network for European Waste (ReNEW) suggests that 13,000 jobs could be created in Northern Ireland if there was a national transition towards circular economy models. Job Creation in the Circular Economy analysed a range of Northern Ireland’s key sectors concluding that the circular economy would be beneficial […]