Blue & Green Daily: Tuesday 30 September round up

Today on Blue & Green Tomorrow, we reported on the shocking news that more than half of the world’s wildlife has been lost in the last 40 years.

We also covered the calls for greater protection for climate refugees, and investigated how students are at the forefront of the search for truly sustainable finance.

Blue & Green Daily: Tuesday 30 September headlines

Blue & Green Daily finds and summarises the top sustainability stories around the web every morning. We start with our own picks from Blue & Green Tomorrow. 

Lloyds fires eight staff and withholds bonuses over Libor scandal

Lloyds Banking Group has dismissed eight employees for their role in the manipulation of currency and the Libor rate, forfeiting bonuses worth £3 million. 

Conservative party conference: Osborne criticised for welfare cuts and inaction over climate change

Chancellor George Osborne has promised new reforms on benefits to eradicate a “culture of welfare dependency” and pledged to encourage the exploitation of shale gas reserves if the Conservatives are re-elected. 

NUS: how students are addressing unsustainable finance

Backing fossil fuel divestment, founding credit unions and rejecting neoliberalism: some students are at the forefront of the search for truly sustainable finance, writes Piers Telemacque of the National Union of Students (NUS).

World’s wildlife declined by 50% in 40 years

The number of wild animals living on the planet has halved over the past four decades because of unsustainable consumption and reckless human activities that have destroyed habitats, according to the latest figures from WWF and the Zoological Society of London. 

IEA: solar could be largest electricity source by 2050

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said in a new report that the falling cost of photovoltaic (PV) technology is likely to make solar power the greatest source of electricity by mid-century, with China and the US taking the lead.

Campaigners call for climate refugee protection as migrant deaths reach record high

As a new study reveals that 22,000 migrants have died trying to reach Europe in the last 14 years, campaigners have warned that climate change may force many more to flee their country.

UK set for driest September on record

With just 19.4mm of rain up to September 28 and temperatures warmer than average, September 2014 is likely to be the driest since records began. However, the Met Office has said that October is likely to be as wet and cold as usual. 

Blue & Green holiday cottages: Amberleigh, North Yorkshire

This barn conversion is set in the heart of a pretty village lying between the majestic North Yorkshire Moors and the Dales. It is available to book now through cottages4you.

Climate change worsening California drought

Manmade climate change is exacerbating California’s devastating drought, scientists have said, as at least 80% of the state suffers under extreme drought conditions.

Oil and gas industry calls for tax incentives as operating costs rise by 60%

The UK oil and gas industry’s economic outlook has revealed rising costs for the sector, prompting calls for the government to provide more tax incentives to retrieve £1 trillion investment and fully exploit the country’s declining offshore reserves.

UK’s first floating solar farm installed 

A farm in Berkshire has become home to the first floating solar farm in the UK, as developers announce plans to roll out the innovative installations across the country.

Photo: Sanja Gjenero via Free Images