Environment news

• Burning bush, melting Arctic, a deadly virus: nobody said the end times would be boring | John Birmingham

  03-09-2020 19:30 via theguardian.com
  
  For one brief shining moment it seemed humanity’s inability to imagine much beyond our lived experience was irrelevant. Covid was coming for us allThis is part of a series of essays by Australian writers responding to the challenges of 2020The chicken shack was nearly an hour’s walk through Seoul in the subzero night, but they served up damn good chicken, and dangerously cheap beer, and we agreed the risk of becoming lost and freezing to death on the street was worth it. My son, Thom
  
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• Australia's environment minister orders investigation into export of hundreds of endangered parrots

  03-09-2020 19:30 via theguardian.com
  
  Sussan Ley announces audit after Guardian Australia revealed her department allowed the birds to be exported to GermanyThe environment minister, Sussan Ley, has appointed an auditor to investigate her own department over the export of hundreds of native and endangered parrots to Germany over a three-year period.Guardian Australia revealed in 2018 that the Australian government permitted the export of hundreds of birds to a German organisation despite concerns theywere being offered for sale rath
  
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• EU budget would be 'disastrous' for research

  03-09-2020 19:21 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Sixteen thousand academics urge EU leaders to increase investment over the next seven years.
  
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• Secrets of male elephant society revealed in the wild

  03-09-2020 19:12 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Mature male elephants play a crucial role in passing on their knowledge to younger males, a study suggests.
  
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• New Zealand suspends live cattle exports after ship sinks

  03-09-2020 19:05 via theguardian.com
  
  Gulf Livestock 1, carrying more than 40 crew members and nearly 6,000 cattle, foundered off coast of Japan New Zealand has suspended live cattle exports after a ship carrying almost 6,000 animals sank off the Japanese coast on Wednesday. There are growing fears for the fate of the more than 40 crew members on the Gulf Livestock 1, with reports of just one survivor so far.The vessel was on its way to China when it reportedly developed engine problems and sank in rough seas caused by Typhoon Maysa
  
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• New Zealand suspends live animal exports after ship sinks

  03-09-2020 19:05 via theguardian.com
  
  Gulf Livestock 1, carrying more than 40 crew members and nearly 6,000 cattle, foundered off coast of Japan New Zealand has suspended live cattle exports after a ship carrying almost 6,000 animals sank off the Japanese coast on Wednesday. There are growing fears for the fate of the more than 40 crew members on the Gulf Livestock 1, with reports of just one survivor so far.The vessel was on its way to China when it reportedly developed engine problems and sank in rough seas caused by Typhoon Maysa
  
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• Shark researchers size up real 'Megalodon' for first time

  03-09-2020 18:23 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A study reveals true scale of the prehistoric mega-shark made famous in Jason Statham's The Meg.
  
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• First wave of speakers confirmed for edie's green recovery webinar sessions

  03-09-2020 18:10
  
  The first raft of speakers has been confirmed for edie's series of free green recovery-themed webinars and masterclasses taking place on Wednesday 23 September, with sustainable business experts from Aldersgate Group, BT, Bank of England, Ella's Kitchen, UKGBC all among the line-up.
  
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• Zombie fires spark record Arctic CO2 emissions

  03-09-2020 16:03 via bbc.co.uk
  
  This summer’s carbon emissions from Arctic wildfires were a third higher than last year’s levels.
  
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• Anohni on her new track R.N.C. 2020: 'It's me, screaming in the past, for the present'

  03-09-2020 16:02 via theguardian.com
  
  Inspired by the fear and loathing on display at the Republican National Convention, Anohni talks us through her latest song and its uniquely unsettling videoI watched the Republican National Convention last week. It’s becoming harder to put into words the dread that many of us feel.What’s really happening? Toxic levels of corruption and collusion are devouring the US. Christian extremists want to turn the country into a religious state straight out of The Handmaid’s Tale. Conti
  
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• Mark Carney assembles business giants in drive to scale carbon offsetting markets

  03-09-2020 15:47
  Representatives from Unilever, Nestle, BP and Shell are among the members of a new private-sector taskforce aiming to scale up voluntary carbon credit markets, spearheaded by former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney.
  
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• Why are elephants dying? The race to solve the mystery of mass die-offs

  03-09-2020 15:30 via theguardian.com
  
  Hundreds of animals perished in Botswana and new deaths are reported in Zimbabwe – now scientists are trying to find the causeEarlier this year, more than 350 elephants mysteriously died in the Okavango delta in Botswana. Individuals of all ages and both sexes were affected, with many walking in circles before dying suddenly, collapsing on their faces. The mass die-off in May and June was described as a “conservation disaster”.Three months later, most surviving elephants have f
  
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• Wildfires rage, Covid spreads: in California, life as we knew it has disappeared | Dana Frank

  03-09-2020 12:20 via theguardian.com
  
  The devastating blazes began just as I began a two-week quarantine. We desperately need leadershipAt 10am on 16 August, I drove east from Santa Cruz to Oakland to my mom’s nursing home, where I was being allowed in, in full PPE, to kiss her a last goodbye. As I curved north through San Jose, I could see a billowing steel-gray fire cloud among the hills to the east. Lightning flashed past Berkeley as I pulled into the parking lot. On the way home, I took the long route across the San Mateo
  
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• Researchers reveal true scale of megalodon shark for first time

  03-09-2020 12:12 via theguardian.com
  
  UK study shows dorsal fin of prehistoric mega-fish was similar height to adult human
  The enormous size of a prehistoric mega-shark made famous in Hollywood films has been revealed for the first time in its entirety by a UK study.Previously only the length of the Otodus megalodon had been estimated, but a team from the University of Bristol and Swansea University has determined the size of the rest of its body, including fins as large as an adult human. Continue reading...
  
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• Demand for whale meat in Norway rising after years of decline

  03-09-2020 12:11 via theguardian.com
  
  Conservationists say relaxing of regulations poses threat to welfare of minke whalesDemand for whale meat in Norway is rising after years of decline, although activists have warned the loosening of regulations could damage the welfare of the animals.Norway remains one of only three countries to publicly allow commercial whaling, along with Japan and Iceland. Much of the catch is sent to Japan, where demand is high, but for the first time in years businesses have reported increased interest in ea
  
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• Report: Circular economy can halve emissions of UK infrastructure projects

  03-09-2020 12:08
  
  Transitioning to a circular economy can assist in the net-zero transition, with a new report supported by AECOM stating that carbon reductions of up to 50% can be delivered and £35bn generated for the UK economy by using closed-loop materials throughout the design process of infrastructure projects.
  
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• Scientists have the answer to a tadpole mystery

  03-09-2020 11:25 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The advance could help protect amphibians from extinction by protecting their breeding grounds.
  
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• Boston Consulting Group targets net-zero emissions by 2030

  03-09-2020 11:18
  
  Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has unveiled a bold new ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2030, pledging to invest in carbon removal projects for unavoidable emissions at a cost of around $80 per tonne.
  
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• Extinction Rebellion: rights experts say peaceful protest in UK under threat

  03-09-2020 10:25 via theguardian.com
  
  Liberty condemns ‘unworkable restrictions, fines and arrests’ used by police to stifle ralliesCivil liberty experts have warned that peaceful protest is under threat in the UK after environmental campaigners were targeted with pre-emptive arrest and “unworkable restrictions” were placed on this week’s Extinction Rebellion (XR) demonstrations.Thousands of people have taken to the streets this week to highlight the escalating climate emergency and demand urgent action
  
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• Europe's small Vega rocket returns to action

  03-09-2020 10:21 via bbc.co.uk
  
  After a flight failure in 2019, the Vega rocket executes a flawless deployment of 53 satellites.
  
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• Microsoft joins European Corporate Leaders Group

  03-09-2020 09:58
  
  Microsoft has joined the European Corporate Leaders Group (CLG Europe) to lobby for ambitious climate policy across the continent, with the European Union (EU) recently pushing for a carbon-neutrality goal.
  
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• Lenovo to halve emissions as part of science-based targets

  03-09-2020 09:30
  
  Computer manufacturer Lenovo has unveiled new science-based targets to halve emissions from its operations and reduce value chain impacts by 25% by 2030, with a view to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
  
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• Road closed or open? The signs revamping low-traffic neighbourhoods

  03-09-2020 09:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Fearing red signs sent the wrong message, one resident created an alternative – and councils are taking noteAn alternative road sign is being adopted by communities around England to promote the benefits of low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTN).Finding that the official signs on the temporary barriers installed in her own LTN in Brixton, London, conveyed the wrong message, Sarah Berry and other local residentsdesigned a green sign reading “road open to” with icons showing pedestrian
  
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• UK organic food and drink sales boom during lockdown

  03-09-2020 08:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Bananas, chicken, eggs and wine the standouts as growth reaches highest rate since 2016Sales of organic food and drink rose sharply in the UK during lockdown – and have soared by double the rate of non-organic equivalents over the past year.Organic bananas, chicken, eggs and wine are among the standout winners that, from January, helped supermarkets enjoy the highest sales growth in the sector since December 2016. Continue reading...
  
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• Where to buy clothes during Second Hand September – in pictures

  03-09-2020 07:01 via theguardian.com
  
  Oxfam’s campaign hopes to persuade us to eschew new clobber for at least 30 days. Here are a few sites and shops you may want to consider this monthMichaela Coel isn’t buying anything new next month. Are you? Continue reading...
  
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• 15 of the best online second hand shops – in pictures

  03-09-2020 07:01 via theguardian.com
  
  With campaigns such as Oxfam’s Second Hand September urging more of us to buy pre-loved clothes, here are 15 of the best places to buy kids clothes, discounted high end, vintage and more Michaela Coel isn’t buying anything new next month. Are you? Continue reading...
  
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• Country diary: mystery built into drystone walls

  03-09-2020 06:30 via theguardian.com
  
  Abney, Derbyshire: It must have been the devil to work in all those narrow apertures – you’d need a good reason, surely
  The track north-west of Abney is an old one, a packhorse route linking the village of Bradwell with Ashford and points south. Here it reaches its high point before dropping steeply into Bradwell, an exposed spot, often harsh on a winter’s day and sometimes on a summer’s one as well. I found myself leaning into a strong breeze pushing across the moor, sha
  
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• Changing Australian fashion's worst-kept secret could help struggling farmers | Lucianne Tonti

  03-09-2020 05:13 via theguardian.com
  
  The country produces 90% of the world’s fine apparel wool but processes very little. Some in the industry are calling for a textile manufacturing revival It may just be the worst-kept secret in Australian fashion. The country doesn’t process its own wool or cotton. Processing skills and infrastructure moved overseas in the 1990s, when tariff protections for textiles, clothing and footwear industries were significantly reduced, and China was able to undercut prices and offer more effi
  
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• Changing Australian fashion's worst kept secret could help struggling farmers | Lucianne Tonti

  03-09-2020 05:13 via theguardian.com
  
  The country produces 90% of the world’s fine apparel wool but processes very little. Some in the industry are calling for a textile manufacturing revival It may just be the worst-kept secret in Australian fashion. The country doesn’t process its own wool or cotton. Processing skills and infrastructure moved overseas in the 1990s, when tariff protections for textiles, clothing and footwear industries were significantly reduced, and China was able to undercut prices and offer more effi
  
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