Bee ‘sperm bank’ proposed to help dwindling colonies
Researchers are looking into genetic diversification to create stronger bees that can survive colony collapse disorder, which sees seemingly healthy bees abandon hives, never to return. A ‘sperm bank’ for bees, where the semen from dwindling species is collected, frozen and used to breed offspring, is the latest idea...
Permafrost warming in the Arctic worries NASA scientists
The Arctic’s permanent ice, which stores enormous amounts of carbon, is warming even quicker than air temperatures, NASA scientists have warned. Over the last millennia, the permafrost has trapped large quantities of carbon and methane. Around 1,400–1,700 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon is stored in the northern permafrost region, according...
IEA lays out four strategies to tackle CO2 emissions
Governments should focus on energy efficiency and the phasing-out of fossil fuels in order to keep temperatures within 2C warming and limit the financial implications of climate change, according to a new study. Redrawing the Energy-Climate Map, by the International Energy Agency (IEA), suggests that much action is needed...
Manchester Met ranked greenest uni – but only 8 score full marks for ethical investment
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) has been confirmed as the UK’s greenest university, after topping the 2013 People & Planet Green League– and is one of very few to have an ethical investment policy. MMU gained the top spot thanks to “steady progress and improvement in environmental and ethical performance...
US and China to co-operate in tackling greenhouse gas emissions
The world’s two largest emitters of greenhouse gases have committed to working with one another in an effort to reduce their combined contribution to climate change – a move that has been welcomed by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). US president Barack Obama and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have...
MPs: Severn barrage no ‘knight in shining armour’ for UK renewables
The construction of a £30 billion tidal barrage across the river Severn might not bring about the environmental and economic advantages it suggests, according to a cross-party group of MPs. In a report called A Severn Barrage?, the House of Commons energy and climate change committee claim that tidal...
Abundance offers £250 wind turbine share in Wind Week competition
Community renewable energy platform Abundance Generation is giving away a £250 share of a wind turbine as part of Wind Week 2013 (June 8-16). The winner will be the person who can most accurately guess the amount of energy produced during Wind Week by the 500 kilowatt (kW) turbine...
Cutting back deforestation will save coral reefs
As the world celebrates World Oceans Day, a new study has suggested that deforestation, more so than global warming, can put coral reefs at risk because of the sediment that is washed down to the coast. Australian research, led by a team from Macquarie University, says that clearing forest...
No Dash for Gas activists avoid jail after power station occupation
The 21 climate activists who occupied West Burton gas power station last autumn have been given conditional discharges and ordered to do community service – but will not face prison sentences. In sentencing the campaigners from No Dash for Gas, the judge at Nottingham magistrates court said, “All of...
‘We’re running out of time’: WWF calls for urgent clean energy investment
Governments and investors must make clean energy their priority if they want to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, campaign group WWF has urged. Hopes to include a decarbonisation target in the energy bill were dashed in the House of Commons on Tuesday, with MPs voting against the amendment. But...
Revenue from ‘shark eco-tourism’ could double in next 20 years
A study has estimated the value of shark ‘eco-tourism’ to be $314m a year (£204m), but the ocean’s greatest predator is under threat by overfishing, particularly for its fins. According to researchers from the University of British Columbia, sharks are “worth more in the ocean than in a bowl...
World Environment Day 2013 brings food waste into sharp focus
Today, June 5, World Environment Day 2013 is focusing on reducing food waste. The annual event, which this year is hosted by Mongolia, will look at how the issue affects poorer countries and global natural resources. Run by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the 41st edition of the event...
Scientists to retrace explorer’s Antarctic route to track changes in region
An Australian team of 46 people will repeat the journey that Sir Douglas Mawson made in Antarctica from 1911-14 in order to register the changes that have occurred in the region. The expedition, led by Prof Chris Turney and Dr Chris Fogwill of the University of New South Wales’...
Airlines call for unified measure to cut carbon emissions
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments to agree on policies to tackle carbon dioxide emissions from the aviation industry. The organisation suggested that governments should adopt a single market-based measure to achieve carbon neutral goals by 2020. Tony Tyler, IATA director-general, said, “Airlines are committed...
‘Monetise’ risks to encourage long-term investment in water security
The financial community needs to be better engaged on water risks, according to one of the world’s largest suppliers of water services. Johann Clere, global shared value director at French firm Veolia Water, said that the water industry needs to be more financially appealing to cash-strapped businesses looking for...
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Following the lead of The Independent (twice), The Week and The Sun, the Wall Street Journal has gi... - Alex Blackburne says
The nice folks at Skeptical Science have written a handy article, accompanied by an equally handy vi... - Alex Blackburne says
In a story that seems too ridiculous to be true, a senior BP executive is alleged to have looked up ... - Alex Blackburne says
A good question, and one that seems particularly apt on the eve of the presidential election. Mar... - Alex Blackburne says
It may seem like an obvious set of rules, but after uncovering some of the unusual things found in s...