VW scandal must change how we think about transport and the environment | Letters
It is unsurprising but disappointing that the initial reaction to Volkswagen’s deceit (Volkswagen scandal: US chief says carmaker ‘totally screwed up’, 22 September) focuses on falling share prices. The impact of this scandal, however, runs far deeper. Research has shown that many car brands tested in factory settings do not perform as expected by European emission […]
Top science book prize won by woman for first time
Adventures in the Anthropocene, a study of human plundering of Earth’s resources, makes Gaia Vince first female outright winner of Royal Society Winton prize in award’s 28-year history The most prestigious science book prize in Britain has been won by a solo female writer for the first time in its 28-year history. Gaia Vince, a […]
VW scandal: UK to rerun emissions tests
Department of Transport vows to rerun laboratory tests on engines and compare results with on-the-road emissions The British government is to start its own inquiry into car emissions and testing, running new lab tests on engines from across the industry and comparing the results with on-the-road emissions. The Vehicle Certification Agency, a division of the […]
Car manufacturers were warned about risk of $1bn emission fines
Volkswagen was among companies warned in February they could risk fines for failing to meet stringent emissions targets In February, CDP published a report for investors looking at the auto manufacturing sector and the potential impact of increasing legislation and the shift towards hybrid and electric vehicles. We highlighted that several companies (including Volkswagen) could […]
British anglers on alert for alien salmon species
Unusual specimens spotted in UK waters may be product of Russian breeding programme in Arctic Ocean, says conservationist British anglers have been told to watch out for an alien salmon species that is normally native to the chillier waters of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. Eight specimens of wild pink salmon have been caught in […]
The Company of Trees by Thomas Pakenham review – memoir of an intrepid tree obsessive
From seed-hunting expeditions in the Andes to grim encounters with the timber trade, this memoir of an intrepid tree obsessive stands tall Few have ever indulged their inclinations on a grander scale than Thomas Pakenham, whose passion is for trees. The scarlet maple was his first love, the ginkgo remains his favourite, and he would […]
Pope Francis urges Congress to treat immigrants in 'humane and just' way
Pontiff says divisive rhetoric is not in ‘the spirit of the American people’ and calls for action to combat ‘human activity’ that has caused climate change The first pope from the Americas called on US lawmakers to open their hearts to new generations of immigrants on Thursday in a historic address to Congress that urged […]
Celebrated NASA planet hunter shifts his sights back to climate change on Earth | Dana Nuccitelli
William Borucki donated Shaw Award prize money for pioneering planet finding to the Union of Concerned Scientists for its climate change efforts William Borucki has had an amazing scientific career. One of his first jobs was at NASA Ames Research Center, where he worked on the Apollo moon missions, including helping to develop the heat […]
Blackadder creator checks with UN over portraying them as animals in advert
Richard Curtis’ ad for Global Goals for Sustainable Development to debut in cinemas on Saturday in more than 30 countries aiming to reach 7 billion people Film director Richard Curtis had to phone the UN to make sure they didn’t mind being portrayed as animals in a new cinema ad to promote global development goals. […]
Renewable energy outstrips coal for first time in UK electricity mix
Wind, solar and bioenergy surge to supply a record 25% of the country’s electricity for a whole quarter Renewable energy has for the first time surpassed coal in supplying the UK’s electricity for a whole quarter, according to government statistics released on Thursday. The revelation of the surge in wind, solar and bioenergy to a […]