Environment news

• Oil edges up but biggest weekly drop in Brent since January

  08-07-2016 21:32
  By Barani Krishnan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Crude prices inched up in choppy trading on Friday but Brent notched its largest weekly drop in nearly six months, as strong U.S. jobs data and bargain hunting by investors pitted against seasonally weak consumption of oil. The oil market initially rose about 1 percent or more after the U.S. economy posted the largest job gains in eight months in June and on worries about fresh militant attacks on Nigerian oil infrastructure. Brent crude futures ended the
  
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• Liberal Tories support Sadiq Khan on air pollution | Letters

  08-07-2016 19:49
  
  Sadiq Khan plans to introduce a new charge for London’s most polluting cars (Report, 5 July). The mayor is right to propose bold action to tackle the public health crisis of air pollution, which causes thousands of premature deaths each year in London. Liberal conservative thinktank Bright Blue is calling for city councils throughout England to be given the powers to set up low-emission zones, so that similar radical action can be taken wherever air pollution is a problem. The government&r
  
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• Oil steady in choppy trade; biggest weekly drop in Brent since January

  08-07-2016 17:56
  The oil market initially rose about 1 percent or more after the U.S. economy posted the largest job gains in eight months in June and on worries about fresh militant attacks on Nigerian oil infrastructure. "It's choppy and will likely stay so," said David Thompson, executive vice-president at Washington-based commodities broker Powerhouse. U.S. drillers last week added oil rigs for a fourth week in five, in the best month of producers returning to the well pad since August that signalled a near-
  
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• After decades of clean up attempts, world's lakes still suffer from phosphorus pollution

  08-07-2016 17:52 via feedproxy.google.com
  Leading scientists warn: Phosphorus pollution is a major concern. We need to speed up recovery treatments of lakes - or accept poor freshwater quality. In a series of studies published in a special issue of the journal Water Research, leading scientists assess how to control phosphorus pollution in lakes.- In 40 % of Europe's lakes the water quality does not meet the demands of EUs Water Framework Directive, mainly due to phosphorus pollution. That is a huge problem for biodiversity and soc
  
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• Oil steady in choppy trade, Brent set for biggest weekly drop since January

  08-07-2016 17:16
  The oil market initially rose about 1 percent or more early on Friday on strong U.S. jobs data and worries about fresh militant attacks on Nigerian oil infrastructure. "It's choppy and will likely stay so," said David Thompson, executive vice-president at Washington-based commodities broker Powerhouse. "It'll be a tug of war today between the very strong jobs numbers and the existing bearish oil market fundamentals." Brent crude futures were down 8 cents, or 0.2 percent, at $46.32 per barrel by
  
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• Whale and winghead sharks move step closer to extinction

  08-07-2016 16:58
  
  Two predatory species are added to IUCN Red List of endangered species as pressure from fishing sees their populations fall by half in the last 75 yearsWhale sharks and winghead sharks have moved one step closer to extinction, after the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) redefined them both as endangered species on the group’s ‘Red List’.The two predatory species have fallen foul of increased pressure from human activity, especially the fishing industry,
  
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• Militants blow up oil pipelines in Nigeria's southern Niger Delta

  08-07-2016 15:56
  By Tife Owolabi YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Militants launched a fresh round of attacks on oil pipelines in Nigeria's southern Niger Delta energy hub belonging to Italy's Eni and Aiteo, Nigerian security forces, Eni and a militant group said. The attacks are the latest in a spate targeting oil and gas facilities in the OPEC member's Niger Delta region over the last few months which briefly pushed oil production this spring to 30-year lows. The renewed violence could further cut into exports tha
  
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• European Union launches best practice 'library' for energy efficiency measures

  08-07-2016 15:50
  
  A new European Union (EU) project aimed at sharing best practice for energy efficiency measures across all sectors has raised concerns over the UK's ability to collaborate with other countries in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.
  
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• Fracking, remembering the Clean Air Act and rare frogs – green news roundup

  08-07-2016 15:28
  
  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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• Should homeopathy be used on animals?

  08-07-2016 15:20 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Victoria Derbyshire programme discusses the controversial use of homeopathy by vets as more than 2,300 people sign a petition calling for the treatment to be banned.
  
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• Artificial stingray is 'living robot'

  08-07-2016 14:39 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Scientists have designed a robotic stingray powered by light-activated muscle cells.
  
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• Oil prices bounce on Nigeria attacks, but weekly decline in prospect

  08-07-2016 14:29
  By Libby George LONDON (Reuters) - Crude prices bounced back on Friday from two-month lows hit in the previous session, but benchmark Brent was in line for its largest weekly decline since January as bearish economic indicators weighed on oil.
  
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• Does the Paris Agreement hinge on a fossil fuel 'implosion'?

  08-07-2016 14:19
  
  While the Paris Climate Accord has united 190 countries in attempting to halt the devastating effects of climate change, separate research has suggested that Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) won't be in enough to reach a 2C pathway, with fossil fuel production set to foil efforts.
  
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• Mutant mice become 'super sniffers'

  08-07-2016 13:52 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Scientists have mutated mice to turn them into "super sniffers", in research aiming to create a new generation of tracker animals.
  
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• Carbon Trust: The business case for proactive action in supply chain resource efficiency

  08-07-2016 13:51
  
  Businesses can make huge investment returns through a transition from a business-as-usual approach to delivering proactive action when addressing resource efficiency within the supply chain.
  
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• Researchers assess heatwave risks associated with climate change

  08-07-2016 13:35 via feedproxy.google.com
  Combining climate and mortality data, researchers have estimated that 315 deaths in Greater London and 735 deaths in Central Paris can be strongly linked to the 2003 heatwave that set record-breaking temperatures across Europe. Taking their analysis a step further, they determine that 64 (± 3) deaths from the London dataset and 506 (± 51) deaths from the Paris dataset are attributable to anthropogenic climate change, which increased the risk of heat related mortality by 20% and 70%
  
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• Secret to Swordfish's Speedy Swimming Found

  08-07-2016 13:32
  
  Luckily, the study's lead author, John Videler, a biologist and professor at Groningen University in the Netherlands, had scanned a pair of adult swordfish in 1996 and 1997 using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Oil-slick skin would be more water-resistant.
  
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• London councils urged to promote circular economy through food waste reduction

  08-07-2016 12:32
  
  London councils need to develop the "circular economy of food" by separating food waste collection from general waste in order to rejuvenate plateauing recycling rates and boost activity in surrounding anaerobic digestion (AD) plants.
  
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• London boroughs urged to promote circular economy through food waste reduction

  08-07-2016 12:32
  
  London boroughs need to develop the "circular economy of food" by separating food waste collection from general waste in order to rejuvenate plateauing recycling rates and boost activity in surrounding anaerobic digestion (AD) plants.
  
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• Oil bounces off two-month lows but faces sharp weekly loss

  08-07-2016 11:57
  By Libby George LONDON (Reuters) - Crude prices bounced back on Friday from two-month lows hit in the previous session, but benchmark Brent was in line for its largest weekly decline since January as bearish economic indicators weighed on oil.
  
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• Exclusive - Shell CEO warns Brexit could slow $30 billion asset sale plan

  08-07-2016 11:41
  By Ron Bousso and Freya Berry LONDON (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell's chief executive, Ben van Beurden, has told investors that Britain's decision to exit the European Union could slow its $30 billion (23 billion pounds) asset sale plan, especially in the North Sea which had struggled to attract buyers for years. The comment, made during an investor and analyst event at the Wimbledon tennis tournament this week, came as Shell mandated Bank of America Merrill Lynch to find buyers for several key a
  
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• Global warming to blame for hundreds of heatwave deaths, scientists say

  08-07-2016 10:25
  
  Manmade climate change increased the risk of heat-related deaths by about 70% in Paris and 20% in London in 2003, research showsHundreds of deaths in the searing European heatwave of 2003 can be attributed to manmade climate change, say scientists.
  Researchers calculated that 506 out of 735 heat-related deaths recorded that summer in Paris – the hottest city – were due to global warming. Continue reading...
  
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• Fracking and CCS hit the spotlight as MPs launch inquiry into Brexit implications

  08-07-2016 09:30
  
  The Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) of MPs has launched an inquiry to explore the implications for UK climate policy of leaving the European Union (EU), amid major concerns over the uncertain futures of shale gas exploration and carbon capture and storage (CCS).
  
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• Gravity-powered batteries and pig poo roads: the best green innovations of the week

  08-07-2016 09:00
  
  In a week that has seen political 'leaders' fall by the wayside, edie rounds up the latest low-carbon innovations that could create opportunities amidst the chaos left by politicians who have now jumped a seemingly sinking ship.
  
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• Vets: Ban the use of homeopathy in animals

  08-07-2016 07:51 via bbc.co.uk
  
  About 1,000 of the UK's vets sign a petition calling for a ban on homeopathy being prescribed to animals.
  
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• Conservation group: Bornean orangutan critically endangered

  08-07-2016 06:31
  JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A global conservation group says Borneo's orangutans are now a critically endangered species due to hunting and destruction of forest habitat.
  
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• Bumblebee slips tether of the absent spider

  08-07-2016 06:30
  
  Langstone, Hampshire Parting the ivy I discovered a buff-tailed bumblebee ensnared in an orb webA frantic buzz emanated from behind the curtain of ivy covering the fence, rising in pitch like an accelerating Vespa scooter. Parting the glossy leaves I discovered a buff-tailed bumblebee ensnared in an orb web. Researchers have discovered that bees generate a positive electrostatic charge as they fly. This helps pollen grains stick to their bodies as they forage, but has the unfortunate side effect
  
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• Oil rebounds from two-month lows, outlook seen volatile

  08-07-2016 02:48
  By Henning Gloystein SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices rebounded in early trading on Friday, bouncing off two-month lows hit in the previous session when prices fell 5 percent on news that the U.S. weekly crude draw missed some forecasts. Traders said that the outlook looked volatile as a refined product glut and slowing economic growth weighed on markets while the risk of supply disruptions could tighten supplies. International Brent crude oil futures were trading at $46.95 per barrel at 0027 GM
  
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• No more fish in the sea

  08-07-2016 01:34 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Foreign fishing vessels operate illegally off the coast of Guinea, depleting its fish population and destroying marine life. Despite the economic and social consequences of illegal fishing, the Guinean government has failed to police its waters because it doesn't have money to operate surveillance equipment, as the BBC's Tamasin Ford reports.
  
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• Libya oil guards back NOC state oil company, preparing to reopen fields

  08-07-2016 01:19
  By Ayman Al-Warfalli BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Libya's oil guard brigades, which control Ras Lanuf and Es Sider, two major export terminals closed since 2014, are working with the unity government's state oil company, NOC, and preparing to reopen fields to pump crude again, a spokesman said on Thursday. The spokesman for Ibrahim Jathran's PFG forces did not give any details whether that would include reopening the two ports soon. The PFG position followed an announcement by the National Oil Co
  
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• IMF board approves $5.34 billion standby arrangement for Iraq

  08-07-2016 00:47
  The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday its executive board approved a new three-year, $5.34 billion (£4.1 billion) standby arrangement for Iraq to support Baghdad's efforts to deal with lower oil prices and ensure debt sustainability. In July 2015, Iraq received about $1.24 billion under the previous rapid financing instrument programme. It said overhauling the management of public finances will put the government in a better position to combat the Islamic State militant group an
  
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