Wildfires engulfing the west coast are fueled by climate change, experts warn
High temperatures, drought, wind and beetle infestations have combined to create a number of fires that have caused at least two deaths in California Scorching wildfires that are raging throughout the American south-west are being fueled by climate change and require new strategies from states to prevent ever-greater destruction of people’s lives and property, a […]
Florida declares state of local emergency over influx of ‘God-awful’ toxic algae
Miles of waterways and beaches in St Lucie and Martin counties swamped with foul-smelling algae, causing skin rashes and raising concerns over marine animals An area of southern Florida has been hit by an “unprecedented” outbreak of blue-green algae, causing miles of waterways and beaches to be swamped with foul-smelling toxins that have caused skin […]
Don't panic, Brexit doesn't have to spell gloom for the environment | Michael Jacobs
The UK government has just set an ambitious new carbon target. Now we need to mobilise support to protect our many other environmental laws Amid all the other news happening right now, you might have missed a vital story: the government has accepted the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation for the ‘fifth carbon budget’. This is […]
Nobel winners slam Greenpeace for anti GM campaign
About a third of living Nobel laureates sign an open letter saying Greenpeace has misrepresented the risks and benefits of genetically modified crops About a third of living Nobel laureates – 108 at last count – have signed an open letter which attacks Greenpeace for campaigning against genetically modified crops, especially one called Golden Rice. […]
Floating solar is a win-win energy solution for drought-stricken US lakes
Sunbaked southwest US is a prime spot for floatovoltaic projects, where they could produce clean energy and prevent evaporation in major man-made reservoirs, reports Environment 360 The Colorado River’s two great reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are in retreat. Multi-year droughts and chronic overuse have taken their toll, to be sure, but vast quantities […]
Tax new diesel cars up to £5,000 to cut pollution, says report
Money raised should be spent on improving public transport, cycling and walking, advise researchers The purchase of highly polluting diesel cars in the UK should be discouraged with a tax of up to £5,000 to help tackle the public health emergency of air pollution, according to a new report. The policy could be particularly important […]
UK lacks policies to meet more than half its carbon emissions cuts – report
Climate Change Committee warns of rising transport pollution, failed action on buildings emissions and says leaving the EU throws some policies into doubt The UK has no policies in place to meet more than half of the carbon emission cuts required by law by 2030, the government’s official advisers warned on Thursday, the same day […]
Is our financial system fit for purpose? The case of the Pound’s recent fall
A drastic fall in the value of the British Pound has quickly become ammunition in the ongoing political debates about Brexit and its impact on the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. Irrespective of feelings about the referendum result, and there are undoubtedly plenty of reasons to be disappointed, an equally fundamental question about […]
Business: PM putting party first by delaying airport expansion choice
BCC and EEF condemn government for deferring decision on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick amid Tory turmoil The government has been accused of indulging in “internal party politics” at the expense of the national interest after David Cameron delayed a decision on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick airport. Continue reading… Source: Guardian Environment
UK sets ambitious new 2030s carbon target
Amber Rudd allays fears that target would be casualty of EU referendum and adopts fifth carbon budget to reduce emissions 57% by 2030 on 1990 levels The UK has announced an ambitious new carbon target for the early 2030s, allaying fears that the climate goal would be a casualty of the EU referendum. Amber Rudd […]