World has three years left to stop dangerous climate change, warn experts
Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres among signatories of letter warning that the next three years will be crucial to stopping the worst effects of global warming Avoiding dangerous levels of climate change is still just about possible, but will require unprecedented effort and coordination from governments, businesses, citizens and scientists in the next three […]
Antarctica's ice-free areas to increase by up to a quarter by 2100, study says
If greenhouse gas emissions aren’t reduced, ice-free areas are expected to surge by as much as 17,000 square kilometres Climate change will cause ice-free areas on Antarctica to increase by up to a quarter by 2100, threatening the diversity of the unique terrestrial plant and animal life that exists there, according to projections from the […]
How San Francisco is leading the way out of bottled water culture
The city is not just restricting sales but working to ensure people have access to safe high-quality tap water Americans drink enough bottled water each week to circle the globe two times around. That was one of the many alarming facts that motivated politicians in San Francisco to pursue a progressive environmental regulation no other […]
Flying ant day: when virgin queens and male drones mate on the wing
After warm weather and summer rain, flying ants emerge from nests for a mass mating event to ensure survival and dispersal of the species A steady stream of black ants scurries in and out of a crack in the patio. They have been living there quietly for weeks. Perhaps you tried to get rid of […]
Climate change is an energy problem, so let's talk honestly about nuclear
Fear of nuclear energy runs deep but it may be the most efficient and clean energy source we have, albeit with complications Of all the hazards facing humankind, climate change is the single greatest threat we have ever faced. In a few short decades, we have altered the climate more than we ever thought possible […]
New Circular Innovation Incubator launched by ASU and the City of Phoenix
Arizona State University (ASU) has announced a new innovation incubator programme in partnership with the City of Phoenix. Backed by the US Economic Development Administration’s i6 Challenge, and the Resource Innovation and Solutions Network (RISN), the RISN Incubator is designed to catalyse innovation towards the circular economy by redirecting flows of waste and byproducts to […]
China's informal army of recyclers keep plastic bottles out of landfill
In the global rush for bottled water, China leads the way. But while cities lack official recycling schemes, some residents are turning the tide of plastic waste into cash and keeping it out of landfil in the process In the great global rush for bottled water, nowhere is thirstier than Asia. Demand is predicted to […]
A million bottles a minute: world's plastic binge 'as dangerous as climate change'
Exclusive: Annual consumption of plastic bottles is set to top half a trillion by 2021, far outstripping recycling efforts and jeopardising oceans, coastlines and other environments Help us tell the stories that need to be told. Become a Guardian supporter or make a contribution today A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every […]
£1m fund for circular economy related manufacturing in Scotland
£1 million of funding is currently available from Zero Waste Scotland for manufacturing businesses aiming to harness and innovate towards realising the significant economic and environmental benefits associated with a circular economy. Manufacturing is a key target sector for Zero Waste Scotland’s Circular Economy Investment Fund, which aims to work with small and medium-sized enterprises […]
When magpies attack: the swooping, dive-bombing menace – and how to avoid them
In an excerpt from his book on Australian birdlife, Geoffrey Maslen finds there’s method in magpies’ madness Hostilities have broken out up and down the east coast of Australia. The enemy strikes from above, and always attacks from behind. Casualties have been reported and the dive bombings that began with the onset of spring have […]