Environment news

• Oil ends down on profit-taking but still up strongly on week

  26-02-2016 21:26
  By Barani Krishnan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Friday as investors cashed out big weekly profits after a rally driven by disruptions to crude supplies and Wall Street's gains from U.S. economic data. Prices turned negative soon after the release of weekly U.S. oil rig data by industry firm Baker Hughes that showed a 10th weekly drop in the rig count. "I think a good part of the selling was due to cashing out of winning positions people had established earlier in the week," said David
  
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• Oil slides on profit-taking; U.S. crude still on to big week

  26-02-2016 21:25
  By Barani Krishnan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Friday as investors cashed out weekly profits after an earlier rally driven by disruptions to crude supplies and Wall Street's gains from U.S. economic data. Prices turned negative soon after the release of weekly U.S. oil rig data by industry firm Baker Hughes that showed a 10th weekly drop in the rig count, which was positive to oil but traders and investors chose to lock in profits. "I think a good part of the selling was due to cashi
  
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• Republican candidates' calls to scrap EPA met with skepticism by experts

  26-02-2016 21:19
  
  Trump claims he would dismantle agency but law experts say that would be nigh impossible: ‘I wouldn’t dignify it with a serious reply. Maybe “grow up”’Amid prolonged bickering with his rivals, Donald Trump outlined a fairly radical proposal during Thursday’s Republican debate: to scrap the US Environmental Protection Agency.Related: First EPA chief accuses Republicans of ignoring science for political gainContinue reading...
  
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• Monarch butterfly migration to Mexico jumps after years of decline

  26-02-2016 21:14
  
  The insects covered over three and a half times more wintering grounds than last season, as diminishing milkweed and illegal logging has disrupted movement
  Monarch butterflies have made a big comeback in their wintering grounds in Mexico after suffering serious declines, investigators said Friday. The area covered by the orange-and-black insects in the mountains west of Mexico City this season was more than three and a half times greater than last winter. The butterflies clump so densely in the
  
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• Arrest of Brazil's 'maker of presidents' could unmake Rousseff

  26-02-2016 18:31
  By Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian political strategist Joao Santana earned his nickname 'the maker of presidents' by guiding leftist leaders to power in Latin America and Africa, but his arrest this week could unmake his most important client, President Dilma Rousseff. A member of Rousseff's inner circle who masterminded her two successful election campaigns, Santana is accused by prosecutors of receiving payment for his services in money illegally siphoned from state oil company
  
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• LA gas leak: worst in US history spewed as much pollution as 600,000 cars

  26-02-2016 18:23
  
  Emissions from Aliso Canyon leak, which took 112 days to plug, totalled 97,100 tonnes of methane – equal to annual output of a medium-sized EU countryA natural gas leak in the mountains above Los Angeles was one of the worst accidental discharges of greenhouse gases in US history. A new study shows the months-long disaster resulted in 97,100 metric tonnes of methane being dumped into the atmosphere.Related: SoCalGas pleads not guilty to criminal charges in massive natural gas leak caseCont
  
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• EU exit 'risks British science'

  26-02-2016 18:10 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Prof Sir Paul Nurse says that research in the UK would suffer if the country decided in the forthcoming referendum to leave the EU.
  
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• Thailand: Tiger Temple under investigation after reports of wildlife trafficking and illegal breeding

  26-02-2016 18:09
  Thailand's controversial Tiger Temple, situated west of Bangkok, is struggling to keep its tigers, after the country's wildlife department rejected its bid to extend its zoo licence. Calling itself a Buddhist temple, the Tiger Temple is home to 137 "tame" tigers and has been investigated for suspected links to wildlife trafficking, and activists have long accused the temple of illegal breeding. The temple, which advertises itself as a wildlife sanctuary, and denies links to illegal trafficking,
  
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• Green news roundup: Air pollution, coral bleaching and whaling

  26-02-2016 17:42
  
  The week’s top environment news stories and green events. If you are not already receiving this roundup, sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox Continue reading...
  
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• Automakers would share German electric car incentive plan cost

  26-02-2016 16:32
  Germans could get up to 5,000 euros ($5,500) to buy an electric car under government proposals which involve the auto industry shouldering 40 percent of the cost, government sources told Reuters on Friday. Germany has a goal of 1 million electric cars on its roads by 2020, but has so far made little progress in encouraging drivers to switch from mostly cheaper diesel and petrol models. The incentive plan, which was put together by the environment, transport and economy ministries, still needs ap
  
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• Could invisible markers hold the key to enabling a plastics circular economy?

  26-02-2016 15:54
  
  An innovative new project that acts as an 'invisible barcode for plastics recycling' could streamline the way that food-based polymers are recycled after it received a two year funding guarantee from Innovate UK.
  
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• Cheshire police chief accuses fracking firm IGas of 'irresponsible' behaviour

  26-02-2016 15:54
  
  Police commissioner demands £200,000 in costs saying firm put people at risk of serious injury after it abandoned plans for a test site just weeks after eviction of protestorsFracking company IGas has been accused of irresponsible behaviour and risking serious injury by the police and crime commissioner for Cheshire.The outspoken attack by John Dwyer follows the eviction of protesters from IGas’s site at Upton in January. Dwyer said this turned out to be wholly unnecessary as the com
  
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• Animal pictures of the week: 26 February 2016

  26-02-2016 15:46
  
  All creatures great and small in our ever popular animal gallery
  
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• Social media helps fuel China's illegal craze for 'thumb monkeys'

  26-02-2016 14:08
  
  Year of the monkey has sparked a trend for pygmy marmosets, the world’s smallest monkey, as pets. But conservationists warn the animals rarely survive in captivity, reports MongabayThe “year of the monkey” dawned recently in China – and with it, a trendy new exotic pet. Pygmy marmosets are all the rage among China’s wealthy elite, who are forgoing legality and snapping up baby monkeys at around $4,500 (£3,200) each. The internet has exploded with photos of the
  
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• New sharing economy platform launched to depollute morning commute

  26-02-2016 13:25
  
  A new online sharing economy platform offers employees from different organisations in the UK the opportunity to 'buddy up' and share their commute to work, reducing transport costs and emissions.
  
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• New Heat Wave Formula Can Help Public Health Agencies Prepare for Extreme Temperatures

  26-02-2016 13:13 via feedproxy.google.com
  Extreme heat can pose several health risks, such as dehydration, hyperthermia and even death, especially during sustained periods of high temperatures. However, a uniform definition of a heat wave doesn’t exist. As a result, public health agencies may be unsure of when to activate heat alerts, cooling centers and other protective measures. A University of Missouri School of Medicine researcher has developed a uniform definition of a heat wave that may help public health agencies prepare fo
  
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• The all-female patrol stopping South Africa's rhino poachers

  26-02-2016 13:09
  
  As rhino deaths have soared across South Africa, in Balule reserve the Black Mambas patrol of local women has achieved a 76% reduction in poaching since 2013. Now there are plans to extend the award-winning scheme “The Black Mambas are winning the war on poaching,” insists Siphiwe Sithole. “We have absolutely zero tolerance for rhino poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. The poachers will fall – but it will not be with guns and bullets.”Sithole and Felicia Mogaka
  
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• Hungry moggies rescued by cat lovers on Japan's Aoshima Island, in pictures

  26-02-2016 12:57
  
  In pics: Hungry moggies rescued by cat lovers on Japan's Aoshima Island
  
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• Oil set for weekly rise as gasoline buoys prices

  26-02-2016 12:44
  By Libby George LONDON (Reuters) - Crude oil prices reversed early losses on Friday, with Brent on track for its first weekly gain in a month, as strong U.S. gasoline demand and hopes of OPEC action outweighed concerns over fundamental oversupply. Brent crude futures were trading at $36.09 a barrel at 1100 GMT, up 80 cents from their last close and an intra-day low of $34.73. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 75 cents at $33.82.
  
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• In oil crisis, Azerbaijan leader is hostage to father's legacy

  26-02-2016 11:58
  By Christian Lowe MOSCOW (Reuters) - If Azerbaijan's leader Ilham Aliyev is to steer his oil exporting state out of its economic crisis, he will have to show a resolve not in evidence during his privileged upbringing or in the 13 years since he succeeded his father as president. Aliyev, 54, is confronting the biggest crisis of his presidency after the fall in the global price of oil wiped about a third off the value of the national currency, caused a sharp economic slowdown and prompted outbreak
  
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• Drone-flying volcanologist stares into Mount Nyiragongo's burning ring of fire

  26-02-2016 11:48
  
  In pics: Exploring the world's largest lava lake by drone
  
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• Tesla's Model S leapfrogs Nissan's Leaf as top choice for new EVs

  26-02-2016 11:41
  
  Electric vehicle (EV) pioneer Tesla has become the most popular brand for new EV buyers as new figures reveal that annual sales of its Model S rose by more than 50% in 2015, while sales of the Nissan Leaf dropped by 30%.
  
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• 18 elephants to be flown to US zoos as drought puts pressure on Swaziland wildlife

  26-02-2016 11:06
  
  Conservation groups hope rehoming the elephants will leave more food and water for endangered rhinos as the country suffers worst drought in its historyEighteen elephants, due to be culled because the intense drought in southern Africa has left a national park in Swaziland without food, could be flown to zoos in the US. It is hoped that moving them will give endangered rhinos more chance of survival.The three male and 15 female elephants from parched Hlane national park are being held temporaril
  
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• Decline of bees poses potential risks to major crops, says UN

  26-02-2016 11:04
  
  Animal pollination responsible for 5-8% of global agricultural production by volume, says UN biodiversity panel, as it issues warning over their declinePopulations of bees, butterflies and other species important for agricultural pollination are declining, posing potential risks to major world crops, a UN body on biodiversity said Friday.
  “Many wild bees and butterflies have been declining in abundance, occurrence and diversity at local and regional scales in Northwest Europe and North Ame
  
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• Electric cars will represent 35% of all car sales by 2040

  26-02-2016 09:30
  
  Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) look set to sky-rocket over the next 25 years with Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) predicting that, by 2040, they will represent 35% of all new car sales.
  
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• Oil major Eni cuts investment by 20 percent after quarterly loss

  26-02-2016 09:00
  Italian oil major Eni will cut capital spending this year by 20 percent after posting a fourth-quarter net loss, hit by writedowns largely related to the plunge in oil prices. Eni said its overall net loss in the quarter of 8.46 billion euros ($9.36 billion) was a result of the structural weakness of the oil market, which had undermined profitability and asset values, as well as writedowns on its stake in oil contractor Saipem and chemical business Versalis. Production, meanwhile, jumped 14 perc
  
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• Engineering firm IMI begins restructuring Swiss ops

  26-02-2016 08:56
  (Reuters) - Engineering firm IMI Plc said it began restructuring its operations in Switzerland in a move aimed at countering pressure on margins across products. The company, which makes flow control systems such as valves for power and petrochemical plants, said the restructuring is expected to help the company report improved revenue and margins in the second half of the year. IMI has been impacted by its exposure to the oil and gas markets and slowing orders as clients tightened purse-strings
  
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• Defra strengthens natural capital commitment with Committee reform

  26-02-2016 08:45
  
  Defra has strengthened its efforts to improve England's natural capital by reforming a six-member strong Natural Capital Committee (NCC) which will spearhead the implementation of the Department's 25-year environmental plan.
  
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• Methane leak 'largest in US history'

  26-02-2016 08:20 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A leaking natural gas well in southern California vented almost 100,000 tonnes of methane into the atmosphere before it was plugged.
  
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• Pictures of the day: 26 February 2016

  26-02-2016 08:17
  
  VR headsets, beautiful cows and bottle feeding spring lambs
  
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• Oil industry sees Paris climate deal as chance to innovate

  26-02-2016 08:02
  By Ernest Scheyder HOUSTON (Reuters) - If a crisis is a terrible thing to waste, the oil industry sees the Paris climate accord not as a death knell, but an opportunity to innovate and even grow. While the landmark emissions-reduction agreement among 195 countries late last year was seen as a defeat for fossil fuel producers, executives and oil ministers sounded a clarion call this week at their first major meeting since the Paris talks for more research into how carbon capture technology can be
  
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• BASF braces for lower operating profit on oil, China

  26-02-2016 07:49
  By Ludwig Burger LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany (Reuters) - BASF, the world's largest chemical company by sales, warned investors of a drop in operating income this year on weak chemical sales volumes in China and as the lower crude price weighs on its oil and gas division. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), adjusted for one-off items, will decline slightly this year, BASF said on Friday. "This is an ambitious goal in the current volatile and challenging environment, and is particularly dependent o
  
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• Why the world's largest rhino farmer is cutting off their horns

  26-02-2016 07:00
  
  South African farmer John Hume says he would be "happy" to supply the criminal poaching networks driving the animals to extinction with a legal alternative and the money raised would help him protect his own herd
  
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• Former BP rig supervisor found not guilty in oil spill case

  26-02-2016 06:36
  (Reuters) - A former BP Plc supervisor was found not guilty by a New Orleans jury on Thursday of a single pollution charge stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon drilling disaster that killed 11 people. Robert Kaluza was the last of four people who had faced charges in connection with the disaster, the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. A jury on Thursday found Kaluza not guilty of a single misdemeanour count of violating the U.S. Clean Water Act.
  
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• A chance for sphagnum is a chance for all

  26-02-2016 06:30
  
  Fannyside Muir, North Lanarkshire Legal protection for this Scottish peat bog, and the birds that visit it, has a positive knock-on effect for other speciesThis fragile peat dome, halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh, is lacerated with a grid of channels, ripped through the fibres of its dark earth.On a cold wet February day, in a biting wind, the summit of Fannyside Muir is an impressively wide expanse of nodding heather plants, but the prominent leggy heather is not the architect of the bog.
  
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• Oil prices dip on continued oversupply, despite news of meeting to freeze output

  26-02-2016 05:47
  By Manesha Pereira SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Crude oil prices dipped on Friday as reports of a meeting by oil producers to freeze output failed to convince traders that enough effort was being made to rein in ballooning global oversupply. The drop in prices came after oil markets rose late on Thursday on the back of strong U.S. gasoline demand and what ANZ bank called a "perennial hope that OPEC members can coordinate supply". International Brent crude futures were trading at $35.11 per barrel at 04
  
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• SpaceX Scrubs Satellite Launch, Rocket Landing Attempt

  26-02-2016 01:43
  For the second day in a row, SpaceX has scrubbed the launch of the SES-9 commercial communications satellite — a mission that will also feature a daring attempt to land the first stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on a ship at sea. The two-stage Falcon 9 was supposed to blast off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 6:47 p.m. EST (2347 GMT) today (Feb. 25). Less than two minutes before liftoff, however, launch controllers called a halt to the countdown, apparently because
  
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• SpaceX postpones Falcon rocket launch for second straight day

  26-02-2016 01:32
  By Irene Klotz CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - SpaceX on Thursday called off its second attempt in as many days to launch a Falcon 9 rocket on a satellite-delivery mission because of a technical difficulty, a launch commentator said. The rocket was less than two minutes from liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Thursday when the launch was scrubbed, SpaceX commentator John Insprucker said during a live launch webcast. The launch team was overseeing the final loading of su
  
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• Can Serbia's farming heritage survive?

  26-02-2016 01:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Can Serbia's agricultural traditions survive?
  
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• Law change 'will make farmers more vulnerable to gas company abuses'

  26-02-2016 00:47
  
  Queensland bill restores community legal objection rights to small mining projects but also, campaigners say, ‘incentivises resource companies to do the wrong thing’Rural Queenslanders will be more vulnerable to “abuses” by gas companies negotiating land access under plans to change state law, campaigners say.The Palaszczuk Labor government introduced to parliament a bill on Monday that would fulfil an election promise to restore community legal objection rights to smalle
  
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