VW’s ‘neat hack’ exposes danger of corporate software | John Naughton
It was only old-fashioned detective work that forced Volkswagen to admit to the existence of its ‘defeat device’. And that should worry us all For anyone interested in what is laughingly known as “corporate responsibility”, the Volkswagen emissions-fraud scandal is a gift that keeps on giving. Apart from the company’s Nazi past, its high status […]
World Animal Day signals renewed campaign to end abusive elephant shows
Conservation charity World Animal Protection calls on leading travel companies to stop selling elephant rides and shows Leading conservation charity World Animal Protection has renewed its plea for the tourism industry to put an end to abusive elephant rides and shows, calling on leading travel brands to join the growing list of companies who are […]
Car emissions test body receives 70% of cash from motor industry
Vehicle Certification Agency accused of a conflict of interest after VW scandal The body examining the practices of the car industry following the Volkswagen emissions scandal has been accused of a major conflict of interest after it emerged that nearly three quarters of its funding comes from the companies it is investigating. According to its […]
The eco guide to the ocean | Lucy Siegle
Over the past 40 years, we have killed off 50% of marine life through overfishing, habitat destruction and climate change. But the international spotlight and a change in policy mean things are looking up I do love to be beside the seaside, but I am finding it increasingly hard to look the ocean in the […]
The Observer view on climate change | Observer editorial
Mark Carney’s intervention on the subject is welcome. Now the government must act Mark Carney calls it the Tragedy of the Horizon: the chronic inability of Britain’s leaders, whether in business or politics, to tackle challenges that extend more than a few years ahead. There are plenty of examples, from the shameful failure to build […]
Air quality: governments woo the motor industry with dire results | the big issue
Ministers need to take responsibility for the effects of pollution on public health The scandal over rigged tests by car manufacturers is entirely consistent with their past record (“Corporate cheating kills. It must be stopped”, leading article). In the 1980s, the battle to remove lead from petrol and to fit catalytic converters was vigorously opposed […]
Paris’s first attempt at car-free day brings big drop in air and noise pollution
Vehicle ban, applied to just 30% of French capital, showed encouraging results – but new report says nation has far to go Paris’s “day without cars” last week led to such a dramatic drop in both air and noise pollution that the mayor’s office is now planning more vehicle-free days in the French capital. Airparif, […]
Threatened demise of a gorgeous, visionary bird
Cenarth, Carmarthenshire My glimpses of these spectacular, shy, tree-hole-nesting ducks have grown more frequent in recent years. May that hopeful trend continue The woods along Afon Teifi were dappled with autumn’s palette. It was fascinating to match tint to tree, to look forward to fire-tones suggested before realised. Squirrels dipped and scurried for nuts among […]
Volkswagen halts sales of some models in Australia after emissions scandal
Company announces that it will halt sales of some diesel cars following meeting with federal government over the emissions scandal Volkswagen has suspended the sale of some diesel cars in Australia while it addresses its emissions-cheating scam. Following a meeting with government authorities, the company has decided to immediately halt the sale of affected vehicles […]
Volcano's collapse caused mega-tsunami 240 metres high – study
Scientists warn that similar event to collapse of volcano on Cape Verdean island of Fogo 73,000 years ago poses major threat to nearby islands The sudden collapse of a volcano caused a tsunami that created waves up to 240 metres (800ft) high 73,000 years ago, scientists have discovered. The mega-tsunami took place near the Cape […]