Environment news

• Lawsuit alleges ExxonMobil deceived shareholders on climate change rules

  24-10-2018 22:00 via theguardian.com
  Legal action claims the company hid the true extent of its financial risk to laws that would curb greenhouse gas emissionsNew York is suing the oil giant ExxonMobil in a lawsuit that claims the company engaged in a “longstanding fraudulent scheme” to downplay the risks posed to its business by climate change regulations.The legal action, launched by New York state attorney general Barbara Underwood, alleges that ExxonMobil deceived its investors by hiding the true extent of its finan
  
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• Clever crows reveal 'window into the mind'

  24-10-2018 20:34 via bbc.co.uk
  The New Caledonian birds have surprised scientists once again with remarkable problem-solving skills.
  
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• Ban entire pesticide class to protect children's health, experts say

  24-10-2018 20:00 via theguardian.com
  Evidence is ‘compelling’ that organophosphates increase risk of reduced IQs, memory and attention deficits, and autism for prenatal childrenEvidence that an entire class of pesticides threatens the health of children and pregnant women is now so arresting that the substances should be banned, an expert panel of toxicologists has said.Exposure to organophosphates (OPs) increases the risk of reduced IQs, memory and attention deficits, and autism for prenatal children, according to the
  
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• European parliament approves sweeping ban on single-use plastics

  24-10-2018 19:31 via theguardian.com
  Proposal passes 571-53, with Labour MEPs demanding UK mirror EU action after BrexitThe European parliament has overwhelmingly backed a wide-ranging ban on single-use plastics in an effort to tackle pollution in seas, fields and waterways.Under the proposed directive, items such as plastic straws, cotton swabs, disposable plastic plates and cutlery would be banned by 2021, and 90% of plastic bottle recycled by 2025. Continue reading...
  
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• Whitehaven Coal: activist shareholders to force vote on climate strategy

  24-10-2018 19:00 via theguardian.com
  Proxy firm secures support from major investors for three resolutions calling for company to align policy to Paris agreementActivist shareholders in Australia’s largest independent coalminer are expected to vote in record numbers on Thursday to demand Whitehaven Coal aligns its long-term company strategy with the Paris climate agreement.Guardian Australia understands the group Market Forces has secured support from some superannuation funds and large overseas investors in Whitehaven for th
  
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• Iran charges five wildlife activists with capital offences

  24-10-2018 17:46 via theguardian.com
  Allegations of spying are unfounded, says government, as UN expresses alarmFive environmentalists have been charged in Iran with national security crimes punishable by death, in a development the UN environment head said was deeply troubling.The activists from the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation were arrested in January alongside at least four other people, and face allegations of spying, which human rights campaigners and Iran’s own government say are unfounded. Continue reading...
  
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• What is African swine fever and how does it spread?

  24-10-2018 17:45 via theguardian.com
  A contagious, untreatable and often fatal virus is sweeping the global pig population – and future mutations could affect humansASF is a highly contagious viral pig disease. The most common symptoms of the virus in its acute form are a high temperature and loss of appetite; other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, and difficulty with breathing and standing. There is no treatment for the disease, some versions can have a 100% mortality rate in certain circumstances. It is not the same as
  
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• Sheffield council proposes deal to cut down fewer trees

  24-10-2018 15:51 via theguardian.com
  Compromise follows long-running dispute over council’s road maintenance schemeSheffield council has proposed a deal that would see fewer trees cut down as a result of its controversial road maintenance scheme, following a long-running dispute with campaigners.The council temporarily paused the felling in March after dozens of protesters were arrested while attempting to stop trees being chopped down. Continue reading...
  
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• World Cement Association aligns climate action strategy with 2C trajectory

  24-10-2018 15:09
  Global non-profit World Cement Association (WCA) has released a climate action strategy targeting carbon emissions and waste management, in a drive to help the industry align with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting the global temperature increase below 2C.
  
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• Single-use plastics ban approved by European Parliament

  24-10-2018 14:47 via bbc.co.uk
  Plastic items such as cutlery and straws would be banned in the EU under plans approved by MEPs.
  
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• Big-name businesses jointly pledge $500,000 to spur action on SDGs

  24-10-2018 14:42
  A group of nine corporations, including oil and gas giant BP and professional services firm Deloitte, have collectively pledged to invest $500,000 into projects which aim to accelerate global progress on one or more on the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  
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• edie's next webinar to focus on the future of sustainable manufacturing

  24-10-2018 14:38
  Taking place on Thursday 22 November, an exclusive one-hour webinar discussion will explore the various challenges and opportunities facing low-carbon, resource-efficient manufacturing.
  
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• Hawaiian island erased by powerful hurricane: ‘The loss is a huge blow’

  24-10-2018 13:49 via theguardian.com
  East Island has vanished after coming into contact with Hurricane Walaka, an intense storm that hit Hawaii earlier this monthA piece of the United States has been dramatically wiped off the map after an island in Hawaii was washed away by a powerful hurricane.East Island, a remote spit of gravel and sand that sat atop a coral reef, has vanished after having this misfortune to come into contact with Hurricane Walaka, an intense storm that surged past Hawaii earlier this month. Continue reading...
  
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• Tools discarded 6,000 years ago found near Muir of Ord

  24-10-2018 12:46 via bbc.co.uk
  The harpoon and axes were made from red deer antler by hunter-gatherers in Highlands in the Mesolithic period.
  
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• Floating solar farm to power water treatment works in Lancashire

  24-10-2018 12:17
  Water company United Utilities has this week begun building a floating solar farm on the surface of a reservoir in Lancashire, in a move that will enable it to power one of its water treatment plants with 100% renewable power by early 2019.
  
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• Some of the countries leading on climate change might surprise you | John Abraham

  24-10-2018 12:00 via theguardian.com
  Iran is tackling the potential water supply crisis exacerbated by climate change
  On climate change, countries that may not be thought of as climate leaders are emerging at the front-lines on responding to climate change.One great example is Iran.  I have the fortune of performing water-use research with a number of scientists in Iran.  And I can assure you they are thinking about, planning, and taking action to reduce the impacts of climate change and ecological destruction. Continue r
  
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• Unilever partners with Veolia to create circular economy for plastic packaging

  24-10-2018 11:47
  Consumer goods giant Unilever has today (24 October) agreed a partnership with waste management Veolia, which will see the companies work together to develop innovative solutions to the plastic waste crisis.
  
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• Malcolm Turnbull could have saved Wentworth, Barnaby Joyce says – as it happened

  24-10-2018 09:34 via theguardian.com
  ‘Sometimes you just have to suck it up,’ former deputy PM tells ousted Liberal leader. This blog is now closed.• Media briefed on possible Israel embassy move before defence review• Khashoggi killing: Australia refuses to rule out arms export ban to Saudi Arabia• Labor opposes plan to indemnify new coal plants and warns it could cost billions8.24am BST And with that, we shall bid you adieu, at least until tomorrow morning.I will be shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, if both
  
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• Life on the tiny island of Migingo - in pictures

  24-10-2018 09:00 via theguardian.com
  A rounded rocky outcrop covered in metal shacks, Migingo Island rises out of the waters of Lake Victoria like an iron-plated turtle. The densely populated area covers barely a quarter of a hectare. Its residents are crammed into a hodge-podge of corrugated-iron homes, bars, brothels and a tiny portContinue reading...
  
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• Coal! It will not die OMG | First Dog On The Moon

  24-10-2018 08:47 via theguardian.com
  I cannot believe we are still talking about coalSign up here to get an email whenever First Dog cartoons are publishedGet all your needs met at the First Dog shop if what you need is First Dog merchandise and prints Continue reading...
  
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• 'I am enjoying this': Marise Payne caught on mic as Ciobo's role questioned – politics live

  24-10-2018 08:43 via theguardian.com
  Foreign minister’s private response broadcast to estimates question about minister for defence industry’s role. All the day’s events, live7.22am BST In that Sky interview, Joel Fitzgibbon says the Nationals, through a “closely related polling company” have been robocalling regional areas in NSW “to test Barnaby Joyce”.“Barnaby Joyce’s big strategy now is to say see those Libs over there, they are hopeless, we accept that, but we are the Natio
  
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• Young couples 'trapped in car dependency'

  24-10-2018 08:29 via bbc.co.uk
  Planners are allowing edge-of-town housing estates where car travel is only option, researchers say.
  
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• Our planet can’t take many more populists like Brazil’s Bolsonaro | Jonathan Watts

  24-10-2018 07:00 via theguardian.com
  Just when Earth badly needs pro-environment leaders, we get big-business strongmen. There’s a reason for this grim ironyUnless every poll is wildly wrong, Brazil will probably elect a racist, sexist, homophobic advocate of torture at the end of this month. The former army captain Jair Bolsonaro nearly won outright in the first round, securing the votes of almost 50 million people – despite his extreme views being well known.What is less well understood, however, is the catastrophic e
  
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• Julia Gillard's official portrait unveiled in Canberra – politics live

  24-10-2018 03:30 via theguardian.com
  Australia’s first female prime minister has described what sort of story she wanted her portrait to tell. All the day’s events, live2.29am BST Angus Taylor repeats “fair dinkum reliable power” in his explanation to Sky News on what the government is trying to achieve.“Fair dinkum power?” Tom Connell asks. 2.20am BST Tony Abbot waits to speak to former PM Julia Gillard as she poses with Parliament House cleaners Anna, Maria & Luzia after the unveiling of he
  
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• Two unborn babies' spines repaired in womb in UK surgery first

  24-10-2018 03:20 via bbc.co.uk
  A team of 30 surgeons in London operated on the babies weeks before they were born.
  
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• Illegally smuggled chimp safely rehomed in Dorset

  24-10-2018 01:24 via bbc.co.uk
  Naree was illegally smuggled to Thailand and forced to perform in a circus.
  
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• China's appetite for 'stinky' durian fruit threatening endangered tigers

  24-10-2018 01:17 via theguardian.com
  Forests in the region of Raub in Malaysia are being burned and cleared to make way for durian plantationsThe habitat of one of the world’s most endangered tigers is under threat, according to environmental groups, as forests in Malaysia are cleared to meet growing demand for durians, the divisively pungent fruit hugely popular in China.Forests in the region of Raub in Malaysia, which has become a popular destination for Chinese and Singapore tourists on “durian tours”, are bein
  
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• Concrete plans

  24-10-2018 01:15 via bbc.co.uk
  Reducing our use of sand and cement cuts down on CO2 emissions and lessens the impact on the environment.
  
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• Coal still on the agenda as energy battle continues – politics live

  24-10-2018 00:39 via theguardian.com
  The Coalition maintains new coal-fired power stations could form part of Australia’s future energy plan. All the day’s events, live11.27pm BST Josh Frydenberg was excited by the Master Builders analysis of Labor’s negative gearing policy though (remembering that Chris Bowen has already said the modelling isn’t of Labor’s actual policy)From his statement:The MBA found that by raising taxes on housing over five years, Labor’s policies could result in up to 42,00
  
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