Environment | The Guardian

Bees ‘may be in for rough time’ over 21st century as hotter and wetter conditions affect developmentBumblebees have become increasingly stressed by changes in climate over the past century, researchers examining museum specimens have found.Bees develop asymmetrical wings when they experience stress during development, and by examining a series of preserved specimens and their dates, the scientists found bees showed higher levels of wing asymmetry in hotter and wetter years. Continue reading...

China battling its longest heatwave on record, with energy-intensive industries suspended and dams opened to boost flagging hydropowerChina is scrambling to alleviate power shortages and bring more water to the drought-hit basin of the Yangtze river as it battles a record-breaking heatwave by seeding clouds, deploying relief funds and developing new sources of supply.For more than two months, baking temperatures have disrupted crop growth, threatened livestock and forced industries in the hydropower-dependent regions of the south-west to shut down to ensure electricity supplies for homes. Continue reading...

Unique footage from US Navy sea mammals captures bursts of sonar clicks and victory squeals after grabbing mealVideo cameras attached to mine-hunting US Navy dolphins have filmed them hunting and eating fish and, to the scientists’ surprise, swallowing venomous yellow-bellied sea snakes.It is the first time video and sound has captured bottlenose dolphins feeding on live fish, from the bursts of sonar clicks used to pinpoint the prey to the victory squeals after grabbing a meal. Continue reading...

Consultation paper suggests annual rates of emissions cuts, with tradable carbon credits rewarded to companies cutting pollution quickly

Report looked at over 400 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia out of a sample of 2,500 Pennsylvania children ages two to sevenYoung children living near fracking wells at birth are up to three times more likely to later develop leukemia, a new peer-reviewed study conducted by the Yale School of Public Health finds.The alarming report, published on Wednesday in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal, looked at over 400 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia out of a sample of about 2,500 Pennsylvania children ages two to seven. The form of leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children, and though the survival rate is high, it frequently leads to other health problems later in life, like cognitive disabilities and heart disease. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Christian climate groups urge Clive Mather to resign and C of E to divest from fossil fuelThe chair of the Church of England Pensions Board, which has not divested its £3.5bn fund from fossil fuels, is a shareholder in Shell, the Guardian can reveal.Clive Mather had a 38-year career at the oil company during which he oversaw a multibillion-dollar tar sands project in Canada. Continue reading...

Defra’s proposal for highly protected marine area off the coast of Northumberland could displace fishers, islanders warnA Church of England vicar on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne has called the proposal to ban local fishing a “real error” with “massive socio-economic impact”.One of the most important centres of early Christianity in England, the tidal island in Northumberland saw the first significant Viking attack in Europe and is the birthplace of the Lindisfarne gospels, now housed in the British Library. Every year, half a million visitors flock to its 12th-century priory, castle, pubs and cafes. Continue reading...

Discharges following heavy rainfall affecting water quality, especially in southSwimmers have been warned to stay away after sewage was discharged on beaches across England and Wales, predominantly in the south.Pollution alerts have been issued to beachgoers by the Environment Agency, and on some beaches signs have been put up to warn people. Continue reading...

Species at risk of death from collision with proliferating wind power but rising temperatures could cut ranges by 40%The rush to build wind farms to combat climate change is colliding with preservation of one of the US west’s most spectacular predators, the golden eagle – as the species teeters on the edge of decline.Ground zero in the conflict is Wyoming, a stronghold for golden eagles that soar on 7ft wings and a favored location for wind farms. Continue reading...

The giant $369bn bill signed by the president on Monday promises to bring big savings by offering tax rebates for green investmentsThe giant climate bill signed by Joe Biden on Tuesday is set to touch upon myriad aspects of Americans’ lives, helping shape everything from the cars they drive to the stovetops in their kitchens.Biden has lauded the $369bn of climate spending in the Inflation Reduction Act as the “largest investment ever in combatting the existential crisis of climate change” and predicted it will save people hundreds of dollars each year in energy costs. This claim is based upon a series of investments aimed at shifting buying habits away from a polluting status quo towards cleaner, electrified vehicles and appliances. Continue reading...

Outdoor tubs in town of Gérardmer damaged by intruder who left notes saying ‘water is for drinking’They are calling him the “Jacuzzi driller”: a hooded youth in north-east France who is carrying out raids on properties with outdoor pools in protest over water use.Pools at eight chalets in the town of Gérardmer in the Vosges region were vandalised by the intruder, who drilled a 2cm hole in each. The saboteur left a note reading: “Water is made for drinking! You are killing the Vosges. Seriously, the planet is sick. Wake up!” Continue reading...

George Eustice says rival Rishi Sunak has made clear there will be no compromise on welfare standardsLiz Truss has refused to recognise the importance of animal welfare in post-Brexit trade deals, the environment secretary has said.George Eustice was speaking at the Conservative Environment Network Tory leadership hustings on behalf of Rishi Sunak, and said he faced “challenges” in trying to get Truss to enshrine animal welfare in trade deals. Continue reading...

Neglected and polluted, the ponds were nearly barren of native species. But community efforts are starting to pay offOn a clear day, Ku’uleini Keakealani peers into the Kīholo fish pond on the west coast of Hawaii Island, Hawaii, and sees an abundance of fish.It’s a sight for sore eyes – Keakealani knows all too well how the development of the Big Island has threatened delicate ecosystems, waterways, and Indigenous ways of life. Her ancestors were once stewards of this place. Continue reading...

Greens say 300% increase in profits shows Australia is ‘being taken for a ride’ while other activists claim company is ‘burning our long-term future’

Harnessing natural insect power can, with proper management, have higher efficacy than resorting to harmful chemicalsAnts can be more effective than pesticides at helping farmers produce food, according to new research. They are better at killing pests, reducing plant damage and increasing crop yields, according to the first systematic review of ants’ contributions to crop production.Ants are generalist predators and hunt pests that damage fruits, seeds and leaves, leading to a drop in crop yields. A greater diversity of ants generally provides more protection against a wider range of pests, the study found. Continue reading...

Measure will come into force from 24 August, affecting 15m customers in Thames Valley and LondonThames Water has announced a hosepipe ban across the south of England, which will affect 15 million of its customers.The ban will come into force from 24 August, affecting people in London and the Thames Valley area. Continue reading...

Premier says he will push ahead and seek funding to raise wall 14 metres despite concerns for endangered flora and fauna

Government accused of inaction as downpours leave schools destroyed, homes ruined, crops failing and cholera on the riseMore than 580 people have died and thousands have lost their homes across Pakistan as torrential rains batter the country.An estimated 1 million have been affected by heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides since July as Pakistan endured more than 60% of its normal total monsoon rainfall in three weeks. Continue reading...

Insect’s mating call is a familiar sound of summer in region but experts say climate may force a relocationThe noise of church bells, ducks, geese, cockerels and even frogs has been the source of many a complaint – and even legal action – from visitors and newly arrived city dwellers in the French countryside.Few will forget Maurice the crowing cockerel, who landed his owner in court in a case that ruffled feathers across France and symbolised the town and country divide. Continue reading...

International study places country at the top of the list for fighting invasive species, though it warns that the pace of eradication is slowingNew Zealand’s unremitting war against pests has earned it the global top spot for island pest eradication but researchers warn the pace of eradication is slowing.An international study, published in Scientific Reports, found New Zealand leads the world in creating island sanctuaries and is responsible for nearly a quarter of the world’s island pest eradications. Australia is the second most successful with just over 12% of global eradications. Continue reading...

Shanghai, Moscow and Tehran have the highest levels of NO pollution, according to the researchCities in relatively prosperous countries are blighted by serious levels of air pollution from nitrogen dioxide, often without realising the extent of the problem, research has found.Moscow is the world’s second worst city for nitrogen dioxide pollution, behind Shanghai in China, while St Petersburg takes fourth place. Other cities near Russia follow close behind, including Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan, and Minsk, capital of Belarus, at seventh and eighth place respectively, according to the research, published on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Arizona, Nevada and Mexico affected as federal government steps in after states failed to reach agreementAfter western US states failed to reach agreements to reduce water use from the beleaguered Colorado River, the federal government stepped in on Tuesday, issuing cuts that will affect two states and Mexico.Officials with the Bureau of Reclamation declared a “tier 2” shortage in the river basin as the drought continues to pummel the American west, pushing its largest reservoirs to new lows. The waning water levels, which have left dramatic bathtub rings in reservoirs and unearthed buried bodies and other artifacts, continue to threaten hydroelectric power production, drinking water, and agricultural production. Continue reading...

More than 500 firefighters deployed to haul in dead fish, using dams, boats, quad bikes and even a dronePolish firefighters have recovered 100 tonnes of dead fish from the Oder river running through Germany and Poland, deepening concerns of an environmental disaster for which no cause has yet been identified.“We’d never had an operation of this scope on a river before,” said Monika Nowakowska-Drynda from the national firefighter press office on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Fish and crustaceans eating wreck to prey on shipworms and snails while storms could expose more wood to damage

Bureau of Meteorology forecasts heavy rain in spring driven by negative Indian Ocean Dipole and warm waters in the north

Fightback comes amid concerns race to replace Boris Johnson could lead to rollback of environmental policiesA leading group representing green-minded Conservatives has called for the new prime minister to take urgent action to insulate more homes and scale up the installation of heat pumps to help poorer households with energy bills.The Conservative Environment Network (CEN), which has the support of 133 Tory MPs, half the backbench parliamentary party, said its plan could be rolled out in parallel with measures to directly help with this winter’s fuel costs and would help move the UK towards its net zero goals, as well as saving people money. Continue reading...

There’s a slight downward trend in meat-eating but figures are still high. So what more can be done?

Henry Dimbleby says move is politically toxic but only way to achieve sustainable land use and avoid ecological breakdown

David Black also says most firms are meeting leakage targets despite water shortages in EnglandThe head of the water regulator for England and Wales has defended water companies against criticism over not building new reservoirs despite high levels of executive bonuses and shareholder dividends.David Black, the chief executive of Ofwat, also said old pipes were not to blame for leaks and that most companies were meeting their leakage targets. Continue reading...

In Peru’s Sacred Valley, a community-led initiative is creating fire prevention brigades to stop devastating wildfires before they even beginPeru’s Sacred Valley, the breathtaking landscape between Cusco and Machu Picchu, has always had a few conventional fire brigades, but anyone who has ever witnessed a bushfire will know there is little you can do once it takes hold.While there is a place for carefully managed burning – at the right time of year and in the right weather conditions it can clear land of brush and understory – reckless burns can be catastrophic. “Years of hard work can be undone in a single day,” says Joaquín Randall, who has set up the NGO Valle Sagrado Verde, a reforestation project planting native trees such as huaranhuay, chachacomo, molle and tara in the Sacred Valley. “2020 was a really bad year. One fire burned 20,000 replanted trees in one go. Another killed eight people.” Continue reading...

Government defends measures against claims of slow progress, lack of consultation and a decision to put pods in a flood zone

Oil firm wins decision against environmental protesters blocking 105km-long Southampton-to-London pipeline projectThe oil company Esso has secured an interim high court injunction to prevent environmental protesters disrupting construction work on a 105km-long aviation fuel pipeline.Activists have targeted efforts to replace most of the underground Southampton to London pipeline by interfering with equipment and “attacking” it with angle grinders, a judge was told. Continue reading...

Grenada’s environment minister faces task of getting countries back on track to meet climate goals ahead of Cop27The next UN climate chief will be Simon Stiell, the environment minister of Grenada, a surprise appointment that will cement the importance of holding global temperature rises to 1.5C.Stiell will face the task of putting countries back on track to meet international climate goals at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and a global energy price crisis. Continue reading...

As many as 100 million Americans will be living in ‘extreme’ zones that will see heat index exceed 125F, according to new studyVast swaths of the continental US will be experiencing prolonged and dangerous heatwaves by the middle of the century, with the heat index in some areas above 100F (38C) for weeks on end, according to an alarming new study published on Monday.Almost two-thirds of Americans, who live in mostly southern and central states, will be at risk from the critical temperature increases, according to a Washington Post analysis of data from the non-profit First Street Foundation, which used current trends to predict the number of extreme heat days 30 years into the future. Continue reading...

Polish scientists only found elevated salt levels after thousands of dead fish were found floating in the central European waterwayMystery continues to surround the cause behind a “catastrophic” mass die-off of fish in the Oder River, after Polish scientists said laboratory tests found elevated salt levels but no other toxic substances in the central European waterway.German municipalities have banned bathing and fishing in the Oder after thousands of dead fish were found floating in the 520 mile (840km) river, which runs from the Czech Republic to the Baltic Sea along the border between Germany and Poland. Continue reading...

Yellow thunderstorm warning follows weeks of drought caused by extreme heat and little rainfallHeavy rain and thunderstorms could cause “dangerous” flooding this week in cities and rural areas across the UK, forecasters have warned.The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for most of the UK on Monday and Tuesday with the possibility of flash flooding, disruption to transport and power cuts. Continue reading...

Farming union chief says situation ‘nothing short of a travesty’, as crops also hit by drought and record heatAs much as £60m of food has been wasted on farms because of a labour shortage, according to the National Farmers’ Union, which found at least £22m of fruit and vegetables had been wasted so far this year.The NFU said 40% of respondents to a survey of its members said they had suffered crop losses as a result of labour shortages, with farms 14% short of the size of the workforce they needed on average. The problems were worsened by some staff not turning up for work or quitting early. Continue reading...

Anger is growing over the huge sums handed to shareholders and executives

Investment is needed to help country recover from drought, say politicians and campaigners

Jonas Gahr Støre speaks out after criticism from campaigners, while a zoologist says decision was inevitableNorway’s prime minister has said it was “right” to put down Freya, a 600kg (1,300lb) female walrus euthanised on Sunday in Oslo fjord, as animal rights campaigners attacked the decision but a leading zoologist insisted it was inevitable.“I support the decision to euthanise Freya,” Jonas Gahr Støre told the public broadcaster NRK on Monday. “It was the right decision. I am not surprised that this has led to many international reactions. Sometimes we have to make unpopular decisions.” Continue reading...

Spill is yet another example of how contamination from corporate polluters can endanger entire communities, critics sayThe FBI and local officials are investigating the recent release of dangerous chemicals into Michigan’s Huron River, a 130-mile-long waterway that is popular for fishing and recreation and supplies drinking water for more than 100,000 people in Ann Arbor as well as other south-eastern Michigan communities.On 29 July, Tribar Manufacturing, a maker of exterior trim components for vehicles located in a western suburb of Detroit, discharged up to 10,000 gallons of waste containing hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen, into a local sewer system on, according to Michigan’s department of environment, Great Lakes and energy, the state’s environmental regulatory agency. Continue reading...

Experts say drought and extreme high temperatures likely to make it a record year for destruction by firesAcross Europe, an area equivalent to one-fifth of Belgium has been ravaged by flames as successive searing heatwaves and a historic drought propel the continent towards what experts say is likely to be a record year for wildfire destruction.According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System (Effis), 659,541 hectares (1.6m acres) of land burned across the continent between January and mid-August, the most at this time of year since records began in 2006. Continue reading...

Local officials have instructed residents to destroy the insects – and some New Yorkers are taking it very seriouslyMichael Thomas, a maintenance worker, was inspecting the base of 3 World Trade Center in late June of last year when he started to notice groups of heart-shaped bugs, three or four at a time, “crawling up on the walls” of the thousand-foot skyscraper in lower Manhattan. He went to sweep them up, hoping to keep them from entering through the revolving doors, or flying into the lobby. Then, he said, “they just started to multiply”.What Thomas saw were spotted lanternflies, a visually arresting, fast-spreading invasive species – that New Yorkers are under strict instructions to kill. In the age of overlapping viral outbreaks (Covid, monkeypox, the return, in some places, of polio), this kind of clear government communication is a gift. The New York state department of agriculture is very direct: “If you see a Spotted Lanternfly in New York City, kill it immediately by stepping on it or crushing it.” Continue reading...

South West Water announces measure from 23 August to protect supplies – for first time in 26 years

World leaders urged to agree treaty to protect marine life after groups say planet’s last wilderness treated ‘recklessly’UN member states will gather in New York to hammer out a long-awaited treaty that, if agreed, will govern the planet’s last, lawless wilderness: the high seas.Two hundred nautical miles beyond the territorial waters and jurisdiction of nations, the high seas have been treated “recklessly”, according to environmental groups. Continue reading...

Government sources say Morrison took control of Keith Pitt’s portfolio to reject exploration licence in lead-up to election

Boris Johnson’s plans are behind schedule and the CBI says Britain is falling behind Europe and the USThere is little mention of Boris Johnson’s “green industrial revolution” on the campaign trail of the two Conservative party leadership candidates.Maybe it’s not surprising when Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are focused on formulating plans to deal with the more immediate energy crisis. That said, Labour and the Liberal Democrats are pressing ahead with announcing the investments they would make to achieve net zero by 2050. Continue reading...

Raze-and-rebuild proposal for London shop led to carbon footprint debate, with public inquiry loomingThe author Bill Bryson and architects including the Stirling prize winner Steve Tompkins and Mark Hines, the project director for the remodelling of BBC Broadcasting House, have lined up to oppose plans to flatten Marks & Spencer’s store on London’s Oxford Street.Bryson, who is best known for Notes from a Small Island and A Short History of Nearly Everything, has donated £500 to a fighting fund established by the campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage in the run-up to a public inquiry into the plan – under which M&S wants to build a new store and offices on the same site – ordered by the former communities secretary Michael Gove in June. Continue reading...

An age-old strategy has been revived to tackle the devastating effects of drought and heatwavesSwapping sirens for bells and equipped with voracious appetites, Barcelona’s newest firefighting recruits began delicately picking past hikers and cyclists in the city’s largest public park earlier this year. The four-legged brigade – made up of 290 sheep and goats – had just one task: to munch on as much vegetation as possible.Their arrival turned Barcelona into one of the latest places to embrace an age-old strategy that’s being revived as officials around the world face off against a rise in extreme wildfires. Continue reading...

Government policy amounts to ‘keeping fingers crossed’ rather than acting to adapt to changing climate, says infrastructure chiefEngland is failing to invest in the water networks needed to avoid a future of recurrent serious droughts, with current policies amounting to the government “keeping [its] fingers crossed”, the UK’s infrastructure chief has warned.The current drought was a warning that water systems could not cope with the changing climate, with more hot dry spells interspersed with heavier rainfall, said Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission. Continue reading...