Environment news

• 'Mutant coronavirus' seen before on mink farms, say scientists

  09-11-2020 20:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The coronavirus mutation found in farmed mink in Denmark has arisen in the past, genetic data shows.
  
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• Denmark drops plans for mass mink cull after Covid mutation fears

  09-11-2020 19:06 via theguardian.com
  
  MPs refused to support forced killing of millions of mink after concerns raised over disease risk and threat to livelihoodsThe Danish government has dropped an attempt to pass emergency legislation allowing it to cull all mink in the country.Last Wednesday the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said all the country’s mink would be culled due to fears that a Covid-19 mutation moving from mink to humans could jeopardise future vaccines.But opposition to the move swiftly emerged. &ldqu
  
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• Green bank shouldn’t fund gas-fired power, ex-officials tell federal MPs

  09-11-2020 17:30 via theguardian.com
  
  Former senior officers of renewable energy agencies say government’s bill would undermine Clean Energy Finance Corporation’s independenceFormer leaders of Australia’s renewable energy agencies have called on MPs to reject the Morrison government’s changes to the publicly owned green bank that would explicitly allow it to fund fossil fuel projects.Under the changes, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) would take responsibility for a long-promised $1bn “grid r
  
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• Coalition prepared transfer of environmental powers to states months before EPBC review reported

  09-11-2020 17:30 via theguardian.com
  
  Correspondence between federal and WA governments shows Scott Morrison proposed a bill as early as FebruaryThe federal government was preparing to legislate to hand environmental approval powers to state governments at the beginning of the year, well in advance of recommendations from a review of national laws that proposed such changes.Documents obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws show Scott Morrison told the Western Australian premier, Mark McGowan, in February he
  
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• UK increasingly reliant on fruit and veg from climate-hit countries – study

  09-11-2020 17:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Researchers say trend could lead to supply problems and hinder efforts to promote healthy eating The UK is increasingly reliant on fruit and vegetables imported from countries most vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis, which could lead to supply problems, experts say.A study published in Nature Food on Monday found that the proportion of fruit and vegetables supplies in the UK that was grown domestically dropped from 42% in 1987 to 22% in 2013. At the same time, the proportion importe
  
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• COP26 was due started this week - here's what's happening instead

  09-11-2020 14:03
  
  The UN's 26th climate conference - COP26 - should have begun in Glasgow this week. With the event postponed by 12 months due to Covid-19, edie explores the events keeping the international climate conversation going.
  
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• IPPR: UK Government must spend £33bn annually to combat climate and nature crises

  09-11-2020 11:38
  
  The UK Government is allocating just £4bn annually to initiatives designed to reverse nature loss and tackle climate change, when the scale of the challenges requires some £33bn.
  
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• BEIS gives businesses extra 12 months to apply for RHI

  09-11-2020 11:11
  
  The UK Government has confirmed that it will extend the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme by 12 months, in light of the impact of Covid-19 on the private sector.
  
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• ‘Hypocrites and greenwash’: Greta Thunberg blasts leaders over climate crisis

  09-11-2020 11:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Exclusive: Leaders are happy to set targets for decades ahead, but flinch when immediate action is needed, she saysGreta Thunberg has blasted politicians as hypocrites and international climate summits as empty words and greenwash. Until humanity admits it has failed to tackle the climate crisis and begins treating it as an emergency like the coronavirus pandemic, society will be unable to stop global heating, she said.In an interview with the Guardian, Thunberg said leaders were happy to set ta
  
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• KPMG sets 2030 net-zero target

  09-11-2020 10:49
  
  Professional services giant KPMG has committed to becoming a net-zero company and sourcing 100% renewable electricity globally by 2030.
  
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• UK's nuclear future to be decided at key meeting

  09-11-2020 10:04 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The government is committed to building nuclear power stations to decarbonise the UK's electricity.
  
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• Eve Online video game helps scientists understand Covid-19

  09-11-2020 09:11 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Gamers have completed 47 million mini-game tasks amounting to 36 years categorising cells.
  
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• If you think Covid is bad, wait until you hear about the climate crisis | First Dog on the Moon

  09-11-2020 08:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The climate won’t wait for us to sort out coronavirus, but rich people are still destroying itSign 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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• Revealed: Covid recovery plans threaten global climate hopes

  09-11-2020 07:22 via theguardian.com
  
  Exclusive: analysis finds countries pouring money into fossil fuels to fight recessionThe prospect of a global green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is hanging in the balance, as countries pour money into the fossil fuel economy to stave off a devastating recession, an analysis for the Guardian reveals.Meanwhile, promises of a low-carbon boost are failing to materialise. Only a handful of major countries are pumping rescue funds into low-carbon efforts such as renewable power, electric ve
  
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• Virgin Hyperloop pod transport tests first passenger journey

  09-11-2020 03:04 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The "sci-fi" travel concept involves travelling in pods inside vacuum tubes at very high speeds.
  
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• How artificial intelligence may be making you buy things

  09-11-2020 01:17 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Retailers are increasingly using AI to try to predict and encourage what customers purchase.
  
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• Saving India's tigers from extinction

  09-11-2020 01:09 via bbc.co.uk
  
  How the Indian government launched ‘Project Tiger’ to save the animals from extinction
  
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• Alan Turing: Stolen items to be returned to UK from US after decades

  09-11-2020 01:03 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A collection of items belonging to the Bletchley Park code-breaker were stolen from Dorset in 1984.
  
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• Scottish Widows to divest £440m from companies lagging on environmental and social sustainability

  09-11-2020 01:02
  
  Pensions provider Scottish Widows has outlined plans to divest at least £440m from companies that have failed to meet its ESG standards, in what is claims is the most far-reaching exclusions process in the sector.
  
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