The sculpture controlled by bees: Wolfgang Buttress's Hive
Its 170,000 pieces of aluminium are a hive-like structure of latticework, controlled by the vibrations of honeybees in a hive at Kew that is connected to the sculpture “My approach to a sculpture seeks to frame nature so one can experience it more intimately,” says British artist Wolfgang Buttress, whose 17-metre high Hive installation opens […]
Malcolm Turnbull rules out changes to penalty rates in Facebook debate
Fewer than 13,000 Australians stream final leaders’ debate, with audience members handing victory to Bill Shorten Malcolm Turnbull ruled out a change to penalty rates in the next term of government and Bill Shorten called on the prime minister to lead on marriage equality regardless of who was elected in the third and final leaders’ […]
Rogue crocodiles: Indigenous councils want more power 'before a human life is taken'
Mayors in Queensland’s far north call for council rangers to be able to capture problem crocodiles rather than wait for state wildlife officers to take action Rogue crocodiles are terrorising communities in Queensland’s far north and Indigenous councils are pleading for greater powers to deal with them before someone is killed. They want the state […]
Unique underwater caves link Mexico's Caribbean coast to the jungle – in pictures
The Mexican government is planning a marine reserve extending 200 miles out from the Caribbean coast on the Yucatán peninsula. However a network of caves connecting the sea to the jungle will remain outside of the reserve. Environmentalists are calling for this unique ecosystem to be protected too to safeguard its future and that of […]
Journey into a wild Derbyshire canyon
Chee Dale, Derbyshire Every so often, looming out of the mist, I’d encounter the massive arch of a viaduct, like Inca ruins lost in the jungle Grike is a northern English word, probably of Norse origin, used most commonly for the solution fissures that characterise limestone pavements, and therefore not often heard in upland Derbyshire, […]
Coal-fired power stations face closure to meet emissions target, says government agency
Australian Energy Market Operator also finds this would push wholesale energy prices up, but reduce consumption Australia’s coal-fired power stations will face early closure to meet 2030 emissions reduction commitments, according to assumptions made by a government agency that runs the national electricity grid. The Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) also found such closures would […]
National Grid needs overhaul, say energy committee MPs
Report raises fears over conflict of interest and calls for independent system operator A powerful parliamentary group has called for the National Grid to be stripped of its powers for balancing the energy system in Britain due to a potential conflict of interest. The House of Commons energy and climate change committee is urging the […]
What would a global warming increase of 1.5C be like?
The Paris climate conference set the ambitious goal of finding ways to limit global warming to 1.5C, rather than the previous threshold of 2C. But what would be the difference? And how realistic is such a target? Environment 360 reports How ambitious is the world? The Paris climate conference last December astounded many by pledging […]
Marks & Spencer crowdfunds solar panels for its stores
Retailer joins forces with community-focused energy group to raise £1.2m for panel installation on nine large outlets Marks & Spencer is using crowdfunding to back the installation of solar panels on its stores. The retailer is partnering with Energy4All, a not-for-profit group that helps community groups set up energy co-ops, with the aim of raising […]
EU to investigate Poland over logging in ancient forest
European Union launches infringement procedure against Poland over tree-clearing in the Białowieża forest, a protected Unesco World Heritage site The European Union on Thursday launched an investigation into Polish logging in its ancient Białowieża forest, a protected Unesco World Heritage site which includes some of Europe’s last primeval woodland. “The commission has launched an infringement […]