Environment | The Guardian

The best of the week’s wildlife pictures, including Russian leopards, stranded dolphins and an injured echidna Continue reading...

Cairns event sees 120 traditional owners and scientists share insights on tackling heatwaves, rising seas and species deathsMore than 100 traditional owners and leading scientists from across Australia met this week to build a national First Nations voice on climate change.From marine heatwaves and rising seas to bushfires and mass species deaths, climate change is having a major impact on First Peoples, their country, health and culture. Continue reading...

But critics question the continued inclusion of gas in Andrew Forrest’s grand climate ambition

Many believe the South Island kōkako to be extinct – but the recovery of its North Island relative has given conservationists hopeThere are few good news stories in conservation, but one group of committed volunteers in New Zealand is hoping for something better – a miracle.Spurred on by the successful recovery of the North Island kōkako – a large, long-legged songbird with a blue wattle and haunting call – they are searching the South Island for its close relative, though many already believe it to be lost. Continue reading...

Concerns for animals’ welfare if Ever Given blockage crisis is protracted

Sighting in Primorye region said to show success of fight against poachers and steps to boost species populationRussian conservationists have hailed a rare sighting of an Amur leopard mother with three cubs in the far-eastern region of Primorye as proof of the efficiency of the country’s efforts to boost the population of the endangered species.Scientists in a Russian national park in Primorye on the border with China obtained the images using a remote camera trap. The video footage shows the feline family standing on top of a hill in the Land of the Leopard national park. Continue reading...

Researchers say half a million infections might have been stopped if more states had suspended disconnections during pandemicA national moratorium on water shutoffs could have prevented almost half a million Covid infections and saved at least 9,000 lives, according to new research.Related: Make it rain: US states embrace 'cloud seeding' to conquer drought Continue reading...

Officials warn residents to be on the watch for flood water runoff containing sewage, chemicals and debrisSome New South Wales beaches will close and towns put on tight water restrictions after this week’s wild weather saw flood water runoff containing sewage, chemicals and debris dumped into major waterways.Guardian Australia understands that all Central Coast beaches will be closed over the weekend. There will also be widespread closures on the mid- and lower-north coast, with water quality and debris posing safety concerns for beachgoers and surf lifesavers. Continue reading...

The UK’s cycling infrastructure is hostile to women – and smart new measures in Paris and Lisbon show that change is overdueIt was enraging and exhausting to read comments on social media in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder from men suggesting she had made a “poor decision” to walk home alone in the dark. Every day, women and gender non-conforming people reflexively make calculations about their safety in a way that most men do not have to – and yet sometimes, tragically, it still is not enough.We have normalised a society in which men can move around as they please while the rest of us fear for our lives for the simple act of travelling home. Continue reading...

As world shifts to green energy, Iraq and Nigeria among those vulnerable to ‘wave of instability’Oil-dependent countries that are not preparing to adapt to the global shift away from fossil fuels risk their own stability, warns a new report.Algeria, Iraq and Nigeria are the most vulnerable to “a slow-motion wave of political instability”, according to the risk analysts Verisk Maplecroft. Continue reading...

Plan to create 50 million customers after takeover of Octopus Renewables hands UK supplier 300 projects in six countriesThe UK’s fastest growing energy supplier will soon become one of Europe’s biggest renewable energy investors in a deal worth more than £3bn, which could bring green energy to 50 million homes in six years.Octopus Energy will snap up its sister company Octopus Renewables in a move that will hand the startup a portfolio of about 300 renewable energy projects, across six different countries, enough to power more than 1.2 million homes. Continue reading...

Much of net-zero target could be met if JBS ended deforestation by Amazon suppliers, say campaignersThe Brazilian company JBS, the world’s biggest meat processor, has announced record profits a day after it pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 – the first global meat and poultry company to do so.Surging exports to China and Hong Kong fed its record profit of 4bn Brazilian reais (£516m) for the last quarter of 2020 – up a staggering 65% on the previous year – the company said on Wednesday night. Sales to China and Hong Kong from Brazil grew by about 60%, it said. Continue reading...

Species has more than quadrupled since 2009 thanks to the Endangered Species Act, according to a recent reportThe number of American bald eagles has more than quadrupled since 2009, according to a recent report by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.The species, once on the brink of extinction, has grown to 316,700 birds and 71,400 nesting pairs in the 2019 breeding season. US officials say the “strong return” of American bald eagles is a reminder of the importance of federal conservation efforts and protections, such as banning the pesticide DDT. Continue reading...

All options to fight climate crisis must be explored, says national academy, but critics fear side-effectsThe US should establish a multimillion-dollar research programme on solar geoengineering, according to the country’s national science academy.In a report it recommends funding of $100m (£73m) to $200m over five years to better understand the feasibility of interventions to dim the sun, the risk of harmful unintended consequences and how such technology could be governed in an ethical way. Continue reading...

Preserving Latin America’s forests is vital to fight the climate crisis and deforestation is lower in indigenous territoriesThe embattled indigenous peoples of Latin America are by far the best guardians of the regions’ forests, according to a UN report, with deforestation rates up to 50% lower in their territories than elsewhere.Protecting the vast forests is vital to tackling the climate crisis and plummeting populations of wildlife, and the report found that recognising the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples to their land is one of the most cost-effective actions. The report also calls for the peoples to be paid for the environmental benefits their stewardship provides, and for funding for the revitalisation of their ancestral knowledge of living in harmony with nature. Continue reading...

From their ears, tusks and legs to their family lifestyles and habitats, here are the key differences

‘Red list’ assessment of two separate African species exposes ‘critically endangered’ status of forest elephants, down 86% in 31 years

This critically endangered ‘gardener’ of the forest has been ‘red listed’ independent of its famous savanna relative for the first time. It’s time to take its plight seriously

Government is not testing drinking water for PFAS, which studies have linked to numerous health issuesThe UK government is not testing drinking water for a group of toxic manmade chemicals linked to a range of diseases including cancers, while across the world people are falling sick and suing for hundreds of millions of dollars at a time after finding the substances in their tap water.Known collectively as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), or “forever chemicals” because they are designed never to break down in the environment, the substances are used for their water- and grease-repellent properties in everything from cookware and clothing to furniture, carpets, packaging, coatings and firefighting foams. Continue reading...

The Department of Defense has ordered the burning of 20m pounds of AFFF – despite risks to human healthOne of the most enduring, indestructible toxic chemicals known to man – Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), which is a PFAS “forever chemical” – is being secretly incinerated next to disadvantaged communities in the United States. The people behind this crackpot operation? It’s none other than the US military.As new data published by Bennington College this week documents, the US military ordered the clandestine burning of over 20m pounds of AFFF and AFFF waste between 2016-2020. That’s despite the fact that there is no evidence that incineration actually destroys these synthetic chemicals. In fact, there is good reason to believe that burning AFFF simply emits these toxins into the air and onto nearby communities, farms, and waterways. The Pentagon is effectively conducting a toxic experiment and has enrolled the health of millions of Americans as unwitting test subjects. Continue reading...

Experts say new interior secretary will renew focus on climate emergency and public lands after years of cuts under TrumpAfter four years under an administration that denied the climate crisis, opened public lands to oil and gas drilling and stripped protections from national monuments, the US interior department will look radically different with Deb Haaland at its helm.Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary in US history and a member of the Laguna Pueblo, was sworn in to her post last week and has vowed to be a “fierce advocate” for public lands. Wildlife, parks and climate advocacy groups have hailed her confirmation as a major win for public lands and say that under Haaland’s leadership the interior department will renew its focus on fighting the climate emergency. Continue reading...

Foreign minister Marise Payne makes the claim when asked about the ex-finance minister’s OECD campaign, despite Australia’s much vaunted gas-led recoveryMarise Payne insists the Morrison government shares “the same ambitions” as the incoming OECD chief, Mathias Cormann, for a green recovery from the pandemic.The foreign minister made the claim despite the government’s promotion of a gas-fired recovery and despite research showing Australia was the worst performer among the world’s 50 largest economies for “green recovery” spending to kickstart economic growth. Continue reading...

Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates have an estimated wealth of $466bn – and are emblematic of a Davos-centric worldview that sees free markets and tech as the answerThe latest must-have for America’s ultra-rich isn’t another mega yacht or space program – it’s a plan to save the world from the climate crisis.Related: The race to zero: can America reach net-zero emissions by 2050? Continue reading...

Almost a decade ago 3 million shearwaters arrived on Australian beaches and died. Now researchers know whyScientists finally know why millions of seabirds wound up dead on Australian beaches after unravelling a complex tale involving floating rocks, an underwater volcano and possibly something called the Blob.Back in 2013, the carcasses of short-tailed shearwaters, commonly known as muttonbirds, were found en masse along Australia’s east coast. Continue reading...

Some 60,000 people told to be ready to evacuate, while others are allowed to return homeResidents in one part of the mid New South Wales north coast have been allowed to return home as emergency services warn some of the state’s rivers will remain swollen into the weekend and flooding still poses a risk.Areas of continued concern include Moree in the NSW north-west, the Upper Hunter around Singleton, Grafton, parts of the Central Coast and the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment north-west of Sydney. Continue reading...

Proposed changes to the national energy market rules aims to prevent ‘traffic jams’ of electricity on sunny daysAustralian households with rooftop solar panels could be charged for exporting electricity into the power grid at times when it is not needed under proposed changes to the national electricity market.The recommendation is included in a draft deliberation by the Australian Energy Market Commission that is designed to prevent “traffic jams” of electricity at sunny times that could destabilise the network. Continue reading...

Toxicologist Jon Heylings speaks of his long-held concerns over paraquat, which is linked to thousands of deaths globally‘A sip can kill’: did a chemical company misrepresent data to avoid making a safer product?A scientist with one of the world’s largest chemical firms took the difficult decision to speak out publicly when “a new generation” of managers rejected concerns about a mass produced weedkiller that he had been expressing for decades.Going public has been a “relief”, says toxicologist Jon Heylings. He worked for 28 years for Syngenta, formerly ICI, where his efforts focused on developing safer formulations of the herbicide paraquat. But in 1990 he began consistently raising internal concerns about the handling of what was one of the company’s bestselling products. Continue reading...

Rangers hope reintroduction of once eradicated species will help manage habitat and improve biodiversity

Government of Scotland in line for windfall after lifting cap on maximum bidsThe Scottish government is in line for a windfall of up to £860m from a forthcoming auction of Scottish seabed plots for windfarms, after lifting a cap on maximum bids following a runaway auction in England and Wales.Crown Estate Scotland had planned to cap the amount developers could offer for a seabed lease at £10,000 per square kilometre, but under new rules the bidding will be allowed to swell to a maximum £100,000 per sq km. Continue reading...

Scheme will not come into effect in England, Wales and Northern Ireland until at least six years after it was announcedA promised deposit return scheme for plastic bottles to cut marine pollution will not be in place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland until late 2024 at the earliest – six years after it was announced by the government as a key environmental policy.Critics said the delay was “embarrassing” and not the sign of a government committed to tackling plastic pollution. Continue reading...

The potential of soils to slow climate change by soaking up carbon may be less than previously thoughtThe storage potential of one of the Earth’s biggest carbon sinks – soils – may have been overestimated, research shows. This could mean ecosystems on land soaking up less of humanity’s emissions than expected, and more rapid global heating.Soils and the plants that grow in them absorb about a third of the carbon emissions that drive the climate crisis, partly limiting the impact of fossil-fuel burning. Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere can increase plant growth and, until now, it was assumed carbon storage in soils would increase too. Continue reading...

Twitter video serves as reminder that once polluted body of water is cleaner than it has been in more than a centuryA video of a pair of dolphins swimming in New York’s once famously polluted and dirty East River has served as a reminder that the body of water is cleaner than it has been in more than a century.Related: Dolphins have similar personality traits to humans, study finds Continue reading...

Helen Browning’s Organic says it is switching to Danish suppliers owing to bureaucracy, delays and costs

Republican governor received warning after failing to take required certification course before killing animalThe Republican governor of Montana has been slapped with a written warning and directed to take an online education course after trapping and killing a black wolf in violation of state regulations.The governor, Greg Gianforte, was elected in November and was formerly a member of US Congress representing the state. The news was first reported by Nate Hegyi in the Mountain West News Bureau of Boise State public radio in Idaho. Continue reading...

Thinktank reports that northern UK cities are lagging behind on development of clean air zonesThe delayed introduction of measures to tackle the UK’s air pollution crisis will exacerbate the glaring health inequalities and entrench the north-south divide, according to a report.Several local authorities in the north have scrapped or deferred plans to introduce clean air zones, regarded as the best way to tackle toxic air, while cities in other parts of the UK are pressing ahead with the schemes to limit dirty vehicles. Continue reading...

Once-in-a-century weather extremes could become commonplace by 2080 unless carbon emissions are curbed

Authorities searched Cattai Creek in Glenorie for seven hours before finding the Sydney man’s car with his body inside

Joint investment of up to £16bn tied to industry promise to cut carbon emissions by 50% by end of decadeMinisters will allow oil drillers to keep exploring the North Sea for new reserves, despite the government’s pledge to tackle carbon emissions, as long as they pass a “climate compatibility” test.The government has offered to help the North Sea oil and gas industry cut its carbon emissions through a joint investment of up to £16bn to help support 40,000 North Sea jobs. In return, the industry has promised to cut its carbon emissions by 50% by the end of the decade. Continue reading...

Guardian Australia understands Ben Pennings has rejected the company’s offer to settle the multimillion-dollar lawsuitLawyers for mining giant Adani told a Queensland court they do not know what confidential information – “if any” – about the Carmichael coalmine was obtained by the environmental activist Ben Pennings, who is being sued by the company for breach of confidence.At the centre of Adani’s multimillion-dollar damages claim against Pennings is an allegation that he solicited confidential information about the construction process and used it to harass contractors. Continue reading...

Coal, oil and gas firms have received $3.8tn in finance since the Paris climate deal in 2015The world’s biggest 60 banks have provided $3.8tn of financing for fossil fuel companies since the Paris climate deal in 2015, according to a report by a coalition of NGOs.Despite the Covid-19 pandemic cutting energy use, overall funding remains on an upward trend and the finance provided in 2020 was higher than in 2016 or 2017, a fact the report’s authors and others described as “shocking”. Continue reading...

The British prime minister wrote to his Australian counterpart to explain why he was denied a speaking slot in DecemberBoris Johnson has told Scott Morrison Australia was denied a speaking slot at a leaders’ climate ambition summit in December because his government had not set ambitious commitments to address the climate crisis.In a sign of the growing international pressure over climate, the British prime minister also indicated he expected Australia to this year set a timeframe to meet net zero greenhouse gas emissions and increase its short-term commitments – steps the Morrison government continues to resist. Continue reading...

Fast growth of plant-based alternatives means consumption of conventional meat will start to fallThe fast growth of plant-based alternatives to animal products could mean Europe and North America will reach “peak meat” by 2025, at which point consumption of conventional meat starts to fall, according to a report.The study also forecasts that plant-based meats will match regular meat on price by 2023 and that nine out of 10 of the world’s favourite dishes – from pepperoni pizza to sushi – will have realistic alternatives by 2035. Continue reading...

Extent of devastation wrought on native animals will only become apparent as water recedes

Greenhouse in Melbourne’s Federation Square is forging new ground in low-waste living. But what’s it actually like to live in?We’re accustomed to living our lives publicly, but chefs Jo Barrett and Matt Stone have gone all in. They are living centre stage, in full public view, in Greenhouse by Joost, an 87sqm, zero-waste “future home” in Melbourne’s Federation Square. Goldfish Bowl by Joost could be more apt.“Every time you walk out of the building, there’s people that want to have a chat,” Stone says. “Some are cool, but others get really grumpy when you tell them they can’t just walk through.” Continue reading...

Experimental animal jabs could stop spillover back to humans, says firm behind vaccines for primatesAt the start of 2021, four orangutans and five bonobos became the first great apes at a US zoo to receive Covid-19 vaccinations. An outbreak in San Diego zoo’s western lowland gorilla troop had caused panic among staff after the virus spread to the animals, probably from an asymptomatic zookeeper. Eight gorillas tested positive – with symptoms such as runny noses, lethargy and coughs – and there were fears the virus could spread to other primates.“We were approached by San Diego zoo asking if we had any vaccine because the primates were getting sick. Luckily, we had some that we thought would be appropriate,” recalls Dr Mahesh Kumar, a senior vice-president at the US veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis, which developed the jab. Continue reading...

Addition would displace more than 1,000 disproportionately Black, brown and low-income householdsTexas is crisscrossed by thousands of miles of freeways, but a Houston-area county is suing the state to stop one of them being expanded, arguing the air pollution and displacement will primarily harm minority communities.Advocates say the plans are an example of environmental racism, when harmful infrastructure is built among disadvantaged people. The Biden administration has joined the fight, and the Federal Highway Administration – headed by the transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg – recently sent a letter saying that the plans could violate residents’ civil rights. Continue reading...

Cloud seeding involves adding small particles of silver iodide to clouds to spur rainfall – but will it work?With three-quarters of the US west gripped by a seemingly ceaseless drought, several states are increasingly embracing a drastic intervention – the modification of the weather to spur more rainfall.Related: Climate crisis: recent European droughts 'worst in 2,000 years' Continue reading...

Claims to be fast-tracked as extreme weather events put growing pressure on regional Australia and the insurance industry• Follow the Australia floods liveblog

Climate impact, such as use of biofuels, to be taken into account when calculating charges, says governmentSweden plans to charge airlines more at takeoff and landing if their aircrafts are more polluting, the government has said.The measure is set to go into effect in July and means that newer and more efficient aircraft will benefit from the scheme while older planes will be hit with higher fees. Continue reading...

Drax in Yorkshire burns wood pellets to generate electricity, but forests cannot be replaced quickly enough, say campaignersThe UK’s plan to burn more trees to generate “renewable” electricity has come under fire from green groups and sustainable investment campaigners over the controversial claim that biomass energy is carbon-neutral.A letter to the government signed by more than a dozen green groups including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth warns ministers against relying too heavily on plans to capture carbon emissions to help tackle the climate crisis. Continue reading...