London borough installs 6,000 solar panels over marketplace
£2m scheme by Hounslow council on Western International Market will be biggest solar scheme by any local authority, and use batteries to store energy A London council is unveiling a vast installation of 6,000 solar panels on a wholesale market rooftop, which it says is the largest such array put up by a local authority. […]
In regional Australia, messages about fairness can't drown out the three word slogans | Jason Wilson
For areas on the wrong side of a boom, ‘jobs and growth’ makes sense – in the absence of a better-articulated vision for northern Australia, symbolism matters I’m back in Townsville for a family funeral. The relationship between the present and the past is at the top of my mind. Right now, all that means […]
Nick Xenophon, the 'anti-politician' poised to cause headaches – whoever wins election
The senator who started out as an anti-pokies campaigner is likely to be leading a new, significant political force after the poll If Malcolm Turnbull wins the election, Nick Xenophon could help him introduce emissions trading, stop some of his company tax cuts, frustrate his attempts to cut Gonski schools funding and stall some of […]
Arctic oil drilling: outcry as Norway opens new areas to exploration
Norway issues licences for fresh areas of exploration for the first time in 20 years as part of what minister calls ‘a new chapter’ for petroleum industry Norway awarded Arctic drilling licences to 13 oil companies on Wednesday, including in a hitherto unexplored part of the Barents Sea, drawing condemnation from environmental groups. Related: Licence […]
California lifts water conservation order after wet winter – but drought isn't over
Districts with nearly 40m will compare water supply and demand assuming that dry conditions will stretch for three years, but some say it’s a tough decision California decided Wednesday to allow hundreds of local water districts to set their own conservation goals after a wet winter eased the five-year drought in some parts of the […]
Great Barrier Reef needs $10bn for chance of survival, scientists say
This election is Australia’s last chance to save the reef, which requires $1bn a year for 10 years to reduce water pollution to give it a chance to survive climate change, report warns The 2016 Australian election is the last opportunity to save the Great Barrier Reef, the authors of a new scientific paper have […]
As Alberta wildfire rages, thousands who fled must wait weeks to go home
The more than 88,000 Fort McMurray residents evacuated during the wildfire must wait until June to begin a phased re-entry plan, says Alberta premier The wildfire in northern Alberta continues to rage out of control, growing to more than 423,000 hectares as officials said it would be at least another two weeks before the tens […]
Exclusive kiteboarding club threatened with $4.6m fine for damaging wetlands
The kiteboard and duck hunting club rebuilt levies, added two helipads, and created a lounge area on the tiny island near Silicon Valley without a permit An exclusive kiteboarding club on a tiny island – just a 15-minute helicopter ride away from Silicon Valley – has been threatened with a $4.6m fine by a California […]
Are you confused by food expiration dates? You're not alone
Almost 90% of Americans throw away food prematurely. Two bills introduced in Congress today aim to avoid confusion by simplifying food labeling The US Senate and the House of Representatives today introduced bills to clarify the rules regarding expiration date labels on food. The current labeling system means an estimated 8m lbs of food is […]
Glencore zinc mine must be shut down, say traditional owners
A protest planned outside the company headquarters in Sydney will be matched by others around the world by people affected by Glencore mines The McArthur River mine in the Northern Territory – one of the world’s biggest zinc, lead and silver mines – must shut immediately and owner Glencore must cover the clean-up costs, say […]