Enzymes used in cleaning products and food 'are potent allergens', warns study
Research says genetically modified enzymes, which allow products to be still labelled as ‘natural’, should be tested like potentially hazardous chemicals Genetically modified enzymes used in food, perfumes, medicine and cleaning products are “potent allergens” and should be tested like other potentially hazardous chemicals, experts have said. There has been an explosion in the use […]
Enterprise car rental company leaves Alec after public outcry
Company follows lead of Ford and others in exiting rightwing American Legislative Exchange Council after consumers condemned membership The car rental giant Enterprise says it has resigned its membership in the American Legislative Exchange Council (Alec), an anti-regulation lobby group that has pushed against climate change legislation, effective immediately. The announcement follows last month’s revelation […]
‘It’s a depressing sight’: climate change unleashes ghostly death on Great Barrier Reef
Months after the worst coral bleaching event to hit the reef, Australian conservationist Tim Flannery returns to a tourism hot spot 50km north-east of Port Douglas to witness the destruction wrought by a warming planet John Rumney says that just a year ago, this particular spot was once the most stunning coral garden on the […]
US tests reveal major TV manufacturers may be manipulating energy ratings
Natural Resources Defence Council claims Samsung, LG and Vizio have designed sets that perform well in testing but disable energy-saving features in real-world conditions, causing energy consumption to soar Independent tests in the US have found that the energy consumption of Samsung and LG TV sets nosedives under test conditions but can soar by up […]
A day at the California farm where the workers will get the pay they deserve
Phil McGrath’s family has farmed in California for five generations. Now, as the state mandates overtime pay for laborers, he is one of the few owners committed to the new law: ‘We’ll know we tried to do the right thing’ Ninety minutes from downtown Los Angeles, flowers of all shapes and sizes grow next to […]
How to “change the world” of learning at university
UCL engages multidisciplinary student group in circular economy challenge Digital technology is creating new opportunities for personalised learning journeys every day. Educational Apps are flooding the market of primary and secondary schools. Employers attribute increasing importance to collaboration, creativity and communication in their recruitment processes. Yet, the traditional lecture-seminar format of higher education has resisted […]
ExxonMobil under investigation by US financial watchdog over oil valuations
Securities and Exchange Commission looking into how fossil fuel giant valued its assets since oil prices fell two years ago The US Securities and Exchange Commission has launched an investigation into ExxonMobil over how the fossil fuel giant has valued its assets in the wake of falling oil prices and increasing climate change-related regulations. The […]
Globechain enable re-use of one million tonnes of unwanted stuff
Tech startup Globechain has managed to redistribute one million tonnes of unwanted items and equipment via their innovative online platform, supporting the circular economy through direct re-use. There’s more than office tables and chairs re-used through Globechain – from duvets to coffee grounds The startup has worked with the retail, commercial and construction sectors, providing […]
Paris climate agreement poised to come into force
UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, predicts global climate deal will be fully ratified by the end of the year after 31 nations officially sign up in New York The Paris climate agreement is on the brink of coming into force after 31 nations officially joined the landmark accord, with the United Nations secretary general, Ban […]
Why Sweden’s VAT tax breaks on repairs could be a big deal
The Swedish government is set to take policy steps to enable a different kind of behaviour in the way in which products are used and the life-cycles of goods. Tax breaks on repairs to bicycles, washing machines and just about any broken item are being brought to the parliament by the ruling coalition. Realities on the […]