Environment news

• With this king’s speech, Starmer has staked everything on the long game. But politics has a habit of moving fast | Martin Kettle

  17-07-2024 18:48 via theguardian.com
  
  The NHS, child poverty, defence: Labour is selling itself on its ability to get some big things doneBritain’s new government has just reached the point where things get serious. The king’s speech marks the ceremonial divide between Labour’s pinch-yourself fortnight following the 4 July election landslide and the start of the hard slog of delivery, by which Keir Starmer’s government will actually be judged next time. It’s the end of the overture and the start of the
  
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• North Atlantic right whale seen off Ireland for first time in 114 years

  17-07-2024 16:30 via theguardian.com
  
  There are fewer than 400 of critically endangered species left and sighting gives ‘glimmer of hope’A critically endangered North Atlantic right whale has been spotted off the coast of Ireland for the first time in more than a century.Holidaymaker Adrian Maguire, from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, glimpsed the large, dark body of the whale on the surface of the water while out fishing for mackerel. Continue reading...
  
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• Shell quietly backs away from pledge to increase ‘advanced recycling’ of plastics

  17-07-2024 16:26 via theguardian.com
  
  Energy giant promised to turn 1m tonnes of plastic waste into oil each year, but now says goal is unfeasibleThe energy giant Shell has quietly backed away from a pledge to rapidly increase its use of “advanced recycling”, a practice oil and petrochemical producers have promoted as a solution to the plastics pollution crisis.“Advanced” or “chemical” recycling involves breaking down plastic polymers into tiny molecules that can be made into synthetic fuels or ne
  
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• National Trust appoints first writer in residence at Brimham Rocks

  17-07-2024 12:49 via theguardian.com
  
  Natalie Anastasia Davies to create works inspired by the ‘mysterious rock formations’ at North Yorkshire siteBrimham Rocks in North Yorkshire has its first writer in residence, who has been recruited by the National Trust to create works inspired by the “mysterious and awe-inspiring rock formations”.Natalie Anastasia Davies, who is Yorkshire-born and of Grenadian descent, will in her new role explore themes of cultural identity and the climate crisis, as well as connectio
  
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• UK first European country to approve lab-grown meat, starting with pet food

  17-07-2024 12:35 via theguardian.com
  Regulators approve Meatly pet product, cultivated chicken made from growing cellsLab-grown pet food is to hit UK shelves as Britain becomes the first country in Europe to approve cultivated meat.The Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have approved the product from the company Meatly. Continue reading...
  
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• Record rainfall hits parts of Toronto – video

  17-07-2024 10:38 via theguardian.com
  
  Footage shows severe flooding across Toronto after the Canadian city was hit by three big storms in recent days. The Canadian rapper Drake shared a video on Instagram appearing to show parts of his home submerged in flood water. Authorities say the storm left 167,000 people without power and several flights were delayed or cancelled. At least 14 people were rescued Continue reading...
  
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• Swim with the fishes: is tuna tourism just a bit of harmless holiday fun?

  17-07-2024 08:00 via theguardian.com
  Campaigners are concerned at how the tourist treat could affect the species, and how it could become an event like whale watching or shark divingA tall, slim fin slashes the Mediterranean’s surface for a split second and the bait fish is gone, provoking a few gasps and some nervous laughs from the 40 or so snorkellers lined up to enter the open-water pen.Most wear wetsuits and clutch masks and air tubes, a few are in swim shorts and goggles. Some have already had a beer or a glass of wine.
  
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• Winning images of the 2024 BigPicture natural world photography competition

  17-07-2024 07:00 via theguardian.com
  
  A fox in the sun, fireflies and a brush fire, and trees blanketed with butterflies are among the striking images caught by winners of the California Academy of Sciences’ annual contest. Now in its 11th year, it highlights biodiversity and the many threats our planet faces Continue reading...
  
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• Plantwatch: new species of elusive fairy lantern found in Malaysia

  17-07-2024 07:00 via theguardian.com
  
  It looks more like a sea creature than a plant – but Thismia malayana was discovered amid rotten logs in a rainforestFairy lantern plants are seriously weird. They look like something from another planet with their lantern-like flowers, spend most of their lives underground, have no leaves or chlorophyll and suck all their nourishment out of fungi living in the ground.Their official name is Thismia and looking for them is incredibly frustrating. They are often only seen when their small fl
  
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• Londoners should be charged for paving gardens, says climate resilience report

  17-07-2024 07:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Review says capital needs new reservoir, better flood defences and ‘heat plan’ for vulnerable peopleLondoners who concrete over their gardens should be charged for doing so and given incentives to remove paving, a report to the mayor has recommended.The city also needs a new reservoir, improved flood defences, and a “heat plan” to protect vulnerable residents from the increased risk of heatwaves, the report on the impact of the climate crisis has found. Continue reading..
  
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• Rattlesnake 'mega den' with as many as 2,000 snakes livestreaming from Colorado – video

  17-07-2024 05:14 via theguardian.com
  
  Researchers from California Polytechnic State University have set up a webcam to observe a 'mega den' of as many as 2,000 rattlesnakes. Emily Taylor, the Cal Poly biology professor leading the Project RattleCam research, says the exact location in Colorado is being kept secret to keep snake lovers – or haters – away Continue reading...
  
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• New tech aims to keep polar bears and people apart

  17-07-2024 01:40 via bbc.com
  
  Fears about the two species coming into contact are growing as Arctic sea ice melts.
  
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