Federal environmental oversight costs 'vastly overstated', analysis finds
WWF-Australia and Australia Institute challenge justification for Coalition moves to speed up approvals for mines and ports by devolving powers to the states The Coalition’s bid to speed up environmental approvals for developments such as mines and ports will not save businesses as much money as claimed and will weaken protection for vulnerable species and […]
EEF calls on Downing Street to scrap 'complex' energy tax system
Group wants to see incentive tax breaks introduced, as opposed to current system of penalising companies EEF, one of Britain’s leading employers’ groups, has urged the government to scrap the carbon price floor and other green taxes, following on from a series of ministerial moves to slash subsidies on wind and solar schemes. The demand […]
The mystery of bat chatter: Country diary 100 years ago
Originally published in the Manchester Guardian on 17 September 1915 A curious thing happened here yesterday. I am writing in a densely wooded Welsh valley, facing the cloud-veiled heights of Cader. The post brought, enclosed in a small matchbox, a pipistrelle; it was sent from Somerset, and left there on the 13th. In spite of […]
How ozone attacks our food
September marks the end of the UK’s summer and also the end of our risk period for summertime smog. From now on, shorter days and weaker sun mean that ground level ozone won’t pass six on the 10-point UK pollution index. This year summertime smog in the UK was confined to three main periods; during […]
John Comben obituary
John Comben, who has died suddenly aged 64, was a leading member of Incredible Edible Totnes, a project that plants herbs and vegetables in flowerbeds and disused spaces so that produce can be freely harvested by the public. He and those involved in the project, backed by the charity Transition Town Totnes, worked regularly on […]
Activists occupy British Museum over BP sponsorship
Protesters say the petroleum company is trying to ‘artwash’ its image by sponsoring cultural establishments such as Tate Modern and British Museum Activists have occupied part of the British Museum, as part of a day of demonstrations against sponsorship of Britain’s cultural institutions by BP. Hollywood actor Ezra Miller joined members of 15 different groups […]
Government passing the buck on air pollution, says campaigners
Critics say plan to make councils responsible for policing pollution in urban areas offers no extra money or new powers A government plan to meet European air quality limits by letting councils ban diesel vehicles and charge drivers more for parking polluting cars and vans is “disappointing” and could result in further court cases and […]
Chile plans world's biggest marine park to protect Easter Island fish stocks
Local people say way of life is under threat from industrial vessels, and see plan as chance to protect environment and repair relations with mainland In the pre-dawn gloom in a small harbour on Easter Island, three fishermen fill their boats. Instead of piling nets, they load rocks which they will use to drop a […]
The future of food: from jellyfish salad to lab-grown meat
What do tomorrow’s dinners look like, and how will you adjust? Our special feature sheds light on a world of algae, cowless beef, insect lollies and even an mouthwatering recipe for jellyfish salad… Read more of our future of food special: How we eat • How we grow How we cook • How we share […]
The Innovators: London air-raid shelters sprout a growing concern
Farmers using hydroponics and LED technology to grow greens underground are ready to harvest their first crop As German V2 rockets pounded London in the later stages of the second world war, one of the underground safe havens where thousands of people sought refuge was a tunnel system deep below Clapham High Street in the […]