BBC News

They are thought to be formed by cars driving though puddles and spraying trees in icy conditions.

A mission to study a moon that could be home to extra-terrestrial life has been given a launch date.

The satellite images reveal miles of unregistered gold mining in Peru's Amazon rainforest, Nasa says.

Legislation needed to clear the next stage of the controversial project has passed through Parliament.

A steady decline in the levels of ozone-harming CFCs in the atmosphere has resumed, scientists say.

Six million people aged over 65 in England are at high risk of lung damage, a new report says.

Illegally brought to Colombia by drug baron Pablo Escobar, the animals have become a major headache.

The rising value of Bitcoin leads to ever-higher energy consumption, researchers say.

Experts say coronaviruses related to Sars-CoV-2 may be found in bats across many parts of Asia.

Councillors will reconsider the planning application in the light of climate change advice.

Changes could mean replacing gas boilers in homes and finding new ways to make steel without coal.

Blue whales may be at a bigger risk than previously thought of getting entangled in fishing nets.

The birds were found dead in southern Bolivia and there are fears they may have died from poisoning.

The Green Homes Grant system is overwhelmed by calls, the Environmental Audit Committee says.

Alok Sharma should resign unless plans for a deep coal mine in Cumbria are dropped, Lib Dems say.

China has been accused of trying to create enhanced soldiers - but is this even possible?

Will hydrogen or heat pumps be able to replace gas central heating?

The White House gives its backing to Nasa's effort to return to the Moon.

The male Brookesia nana, or nano-chameleon, was discovered on Madagascar and is the size of a seed.

Environmental groups say they are mystified No 10 has not intervened to stop the mine going ahead.

The ambitious and costly artificial island will provide energy for three million households.

Overwhelming evidence shows noise pollution from human activity is damaging the ocean, scientists say.

Astronaut Alan Shepard famously claimed he hit his ball "miles and miles and miles" on the Moon in 1971 - 50 years on modern technology reveals how far he really hit it.

A leading scientist warns Boris Johnson digging for coal undermines the UK's climate change efforts.

There are serious delays in tackling “critical” issues like air quality and wildlife loss, MPs say.

A bird problem-solving experiment has revealed how traffic noise impairs the animals' abilities.

Beekeeper Patrick Murfet says the "monumentally stupid situation" could cost him nearly £100,000.

Landmark review calls for fundamental change in our approach to economics to stem nature loss.

Two of the UK’s most sensitive fishing sites are set to receive better protection.

"It isn't the first... but it has a longer usability," says a scientist making a new Covid vaccine.

A re-study of the prehistoric find from 1910 suggests interbreeding between two human species.

Stardust 1.0 has become the first commercial launch of a rocket powered by bio-derived fuel.

See how much Iceland's Skaftafellsjokull glacier has retreated over the past 30 years.

The government's climate change advisors say it will compromise the UK’s legally binding carbon budgets.

Covid-19 has intensified the debate among environmental groups about the benefits of the project.

The drive to eradicate bovine TB will focus on vaccinating cattle and badgers.

The new US climate envoy says time is running out for the world to address the climate crisis.

Oil and gas extraction will be paused and wind energy will expand under Joe Biden's climate plan.

The government faces legal action over its decision to allow the use of a pesticide that harms bees.

Scientists say sharks and rays are disappearing from the world's oceans at an "alarming" rate.

More than a million people in 50 countries take part in the biggest poll to date on climate change.

President Biden has cancelled the permit for the controversial US-Canada project.

Francisco Vera, 11, was threatened after calling for better access to education during the pandemic.

The Environment Bill has been postponed again because of a lack of time for scrutiny, the government says.

The government gives its support to a project to use oral contraceptives to control grey squirrels.

Elephant tusks and rhino horns "hidden inside African masks" were exported, US prosecutors say.

Before Wuhan was locked down in January 2020 officials said the outbreak was under control - but the virus had spread inside and outside the city.

Scientists propose 10 golden rules for restoring forests to maximise benefits for the planet.

Google's Loon bows out - but thousands of satellites are taking to the skies to beam down the internet.

Scans of fossilised dinosaur remains reveal they were about 3ft long when they took their first steps.