Heritage sites associated with abolitionist, including Underground Railroad park, projected to be inundated at high tide by 2050On the flat, marshy stretches of Maryland’s eastern shore, not a huge amount has changed since Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery here 170 years ago. Rivers and streams lace a wedge of land dotted with wood-board churches and small towns. Crabs and oysters are plucked from the adjacent Chesapeake Bay.The climate crisis is set, however, to completely transform low-lying Dorchester county, threatening to submerge some of the key heritage associated with Tubman, the celebrated abolitionist whose daring missions helped free scores of slaves from bondage in her homeland. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Former PM tells Guardian Australia the party he once led has been hurt by climate denialism becoming an issue of ‘identity’

Mother and daughter die in Winchombe, as Met Office forecasts further downpoursTwo people, believed to be a mother and daughter, have died after a tree fell on their car, as the Met Office issued more weather warnings for the weekend.Police were called to the incident shortly after 10pm on Thursday near the Cotswolds town of Winchcombe. Gloucestershire police said a formal identification had not yet taken place but the victims were believed to be a 16-year-old girl and her 56-year-old mother. Continue reading...

Girl in viral image looks similar to activist in both the intensity of her stare and braided hair, prompting Twitter jokesCould Greta Thunberg be a time traveller sent from the future to save humanity from the unfolding climate crisis? A cadre of Twitter users seem to think so, after the photograph of a young Klondike goldminer bearing a striking resemblance to the Swedish activist was discovered this week.The now viral 1898 image of three children operating a goldmine in Canada’s Yukon territory is part of a sprawling collection by the documentary photographer Eric Hegg. Near the end of the 19th century, the Swedish American captured some of the most iconic images of people hoping to make their fortunes in the rugged north. Continue reading...

Investor says it is seeing ‘positive signs’ from oil giant after PensionBee clients question inclusionLegal & General has defended its decision to retain Shell as one of the top stocks in its climate-conscious fund, despite a pension client raising concerns about the oil giant’s inclusion.PensionBee, an online pension provider that handles £650m worth of client assets, said it was being inundated with questions from its own customers about the composition of one of Legal & General Investment Management’s Future World Funds, which counts Shell among its top 10 holdings. Continue reading...

Stall owners fear for livelihoods, saying burning dung essential to flavour of Bihari favouritesThe tantalising scent of freshly cooked dough rises from Brij Bihari Rai’s food stall outside Patna zoo. Sitting on top of the grill is Rai’s specialty, litti chokha, stuffed wheat flour balls tossed in ghee and served with mashed aubergine or potato on the side. But there is another ingredient, Rai says, that is essential to the dish’s distinctive flavour.“Cow dung flame, smoke and ashes add a special taste to this dish and that’s why food lovers rush to our stall to relish the food,” he said. Continue reading...

Hydropower scheme at William Morgan’s 16th-century house to keep humidity levels in checkOne of the most important sites in the history of the Welsh language is being protected from the threat of flooding and heavy rainfall by harnessing the element that is putting it at risk.The upland farmhouse Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant in Snowdonia, north Wales, is the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, whose translation of the Bible in the 16th century was a key moment for the Welsh language. Continue reading...

Temperatures top 40C in Victoria’s north, up to 11 properties hit by fire in South Australia and NSW and Tasmania face difficult conditionsRecord-breaking spring temperatures helped spark and fan bushfires across the country on Thursday.In Victoria, 100km/h winds fanned more than 60 fires as an unprecedented heatwave moved north to south, drawing comparisons with the “worst conditions you’d see in February or March” from the state’s emergency services minister, Lisa Neville. Continue reading...

Channel 4 to broadcast first such discussion – but prime minister unlikely to participate

‘Investment blitz’ promised as experts taken aback by scale of Labour’s tax and spend plans

Environmentalists say such political focus on green issues ‘unthinkable’ just five years agoThe climate emergency has risen to the top of the UK’s election agenda in a way that would have been “unthinkable” even five years ago, leading environmentalists have said, predicting that it augurs a permanent change in British politics.On Wednesday, Labour took the unprecedented move of putting green issues as the top section of its manifesto, the first time one of the UK’s two major parties has done so. Jeremy Corbyn led the appeal to voters with policies including an £11bn windfall tax on oil and gas companies, a million new jobs in a “green industrial revolution” and commitments on moving to a net-zero carbon economy. Continue reading...

Focus on environment in upcoming manifesto seen as attempt to broaden appeal

Angus Taylor wants support for $2.55bn rebadged fund and roll out of new generation and transmission projectsQueensland has demanded federal funds for gas infrastructure in return for its co-operation with the Morrison government’s rebooted emissions reduction scheme.The state’s energy minister, Anthony Lynham, will head to Western Australia for the energy Coag meeting later on Friday, pressing for Canberra’s financial support to expand its gas industry into the Galilee and Bowen basins. Continue reading...

Scale of killings so great that long-term-impact on eagle population is unknown, conservation groups say

‘Investment blitz’ to be funded by wealthy and includes tax on energy firms to tackle climate crisis

British group delay tour to support new album Everyday Life as they work towards developing carbon-neutral concertsColdplay have pledged to make any tour in support of their new album “actively beneficial” to the environment.Frontman Chris Martin told BBC News that the British group was waiting to tour their new album, Everyday Life, so they can ensure such a tour is carbon neutral. “Our next tour will be the best possible version of a tour like that environmentally,” said Martin. “We would be disappointed if it’s not carbon neutral. We’ve done a lot of big tours at this point. How do we turn it around so it’s not so much taking as giving?” Continue reading...

Campaigner says Conservatives might ban live exports and give more funding for fighting wildlife crimeWildlife campaigner Dominic Dyer received a call last week from former Conservative environment minister Zac Goldsmith with an unexpected request: could Dyer advise on the foxhunting ban, and how might the Tories strengthen it in their manifesto?The 2019 election may go down in history as another Brexit vote but the apparently marginal issue of animal rights could – once again – prove surprisingly influential. Continue reading...

Party wants UK workers to take advantage of opportunities in a global green economy worth £3tn

Experts say new approach to classify plants’ conservation status suggests 7,000 species at riskA third of plant species in tropical Africa are threatened with extinction, a new study suggests. Plants are crucial to many ecosystems and life in general, providing food and oxygen, as well as being the source of myriad materials and medicines. However, human activities including logging, mining and agriculture pose a major threat.While the extinction risk of animals around the world has been well studied, the risk facing many plants remains unclear: 86% of mammal species have been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for its Red List, compared with only 8% of plant species. Now experts say they have come up with a rapid approach to give a preliminary classification. Continue reading...

Foreign affairs staff say despite opposition from some countries, Australia will continue to use them to meet Paris targetsAustralian officials have told major business groups there will have to be a diplomatic solution to a standoff between the Morrison government and other nations about whether the government can use carryover credits from the Kyoto period to meet its Paris target.Guardian Australia understands diplomats from the British high commission signalled their objection to Australia using carryover credits during a recent meeting of the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network, which includes major emitters such as BHP and Woodside, and industry associations. Continue reading...

German politicians accuse Roger Hallam of downplaying significance of genocide

Researchers linked nine causes of death with a certain type pollution when reviewing medical records of deceased veterans

Capacity rose by 42.9GW in 18 months, far outpacing global efforts to cut use of fossil fuelChina’s growing appetite for new coal-fired power stations has outstripped plant closures in the rest of the world since the start of last year, data shows.Elsewhere countries reduced their capacity by 8GW in the 18 months to June because old plants were retired faster than new ones were built. But over the same period China increased its capacity by 42.9GW despite a global move towards cleaner energy sources and a pledge to limit the use of coal. Continue reading...

B venatorum, which causes flu and jaundice in humans, identified in sheep in north-east ScotlandConcerns have been raised after a potentially deadly tick-borne parasite was found in the UK for the first time.The organism – named B venatorum – causes babesiosis, an animal disease recognised as an emerging infection in humans. Continue reading...

Critics say announcement of extra funding serves as ‘reminder of government’s delayed reaction’People affected by flooding in the Midlands and north of England have accused the government of a “belated response” after Boris Johnson announced a series of measures designed to prevent a repeat of this month’s disaster.The prime minister announced that £5,000 grants would be made available through local authorities from the end of November, in the wake of severe flooding in parts of Yorkshire and the Midlands. Continue reading...

Prime minister tells business council he wants shorter timeline for environmental approvalsScott Morrison has flagged an overhaul of environmental approvals for major projects and a willingness to further streamline the industrial relations system, as he makes a fresh deregulation pitch to business.Saying the government wants to “get major projects off the ground sooner”, Morrison has told the Business Council of Australia that he wants to reduce the length of time it takes for businesses to navigate environmental approvals. Continue reading...

NGO leaders say Lobbying Act stops them from representing the most vulnerable in societyLatest election news – live updatesLeading charities are calling on the next government to lift the legal gag that prevents them from campaigning for the poor and marginalised in society.Heads of non-governmental organisations, including Friends of the Earth, Shelter, Liberty, End Violence Against Women, the Quakers and the Howard League, have written to all of the main political parties calling for greater freedom to speak out. Continue reading...

Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest joins Mike Cannon-Brookes to raise tens of millions of dollars for Sun CableThe mining magnate and philanthropist Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has joined fellow billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes in raising tens of millions of dollars to build a giant solar farm in the Northern Territory to supply electricity to Singapore.The company behind the project, Sun Cable, said Forrest’s Squadron Energy and Grok Ventures, the investment firm of Cannon-Brookes and his wife, Annie, had become co-lead investors in the $20bn-plus development. Continue reading...

Offshore infrastructure in place to store carbon emissions under seabed, new report heraldsNorth Sea oil executives believe the ageing fossil fuel basin may still lead a global climate revolution by providing a testbed for clean energy breakthroughs.An industry report has revealed that the North Sea could emerge as an unlikely climate hero by becoming a global showcase for the energy transition after decades producing fossil fuels. Continue reading...

‘Nature’s engineers’ to be introduced on National Trust land in south of EnglandThree families of beavers are to be introduced on land managed by the National Trust as part of plans to ease flooding and improve biodiversity.Two Eurasian beaver families will be released next spring into enclosures at Holnicote estate on Exmoor, in Somerset, and another group will arrive at Valewood on the Black Down estate, on the border of West Sussex and Surrey. Continue reading...

‘We’re in a deep hole over the climate crisis and we need to stop digging,’ warn expertsThe world’s nations are on track to produce more than twice as much coal, oil and gas as can be burned in 2030 while restricting rise in the global temperature to 1.5C, analysis shows.The report is the first to compare countries’ stated plans for fossil fuel extraction with the goals of the Paris climate agreement, which is to keep global heating well below 2C above pre-industrial levels, and to aim for 1.5C. It exposes a huge gap, with fossil fuel production in 2030 heading for 50% more than is consistent with 2C, and 120% more than that for 1.5C. Continue reading...

Company has told shareholders rail line will be completed by May, but needs more investment from Adani familyThe Adani Group company financing the Carmichael mine in north Queensland has told shareholders to expect a first coal shipment in August 2021, but the project’s rail plans will still require unspecified additional investment from “the family”.In a conference call to discuss its financial-year earnings, executives from Adani Enterprises Limited – the ultimate parent company of the Carmichael mine – indicated the company may use “additional lines to fundraise”. Continue reading...

Long delayed meeting of federal and state energy ministers to discuss the $2.55bn ERF, now rebadged the Climate Solutions FundAngus Taylor has scheduled a discussion with state and territory energy ministers about the planned overhaul of the Morrison government’s emissions reduction fund, a move following the government’s decision to quietly appoint an expert panel to come up with new ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions.According to the draft agenda for Friday’s Coag energy council meeting, obtained by Guardian Australia, the commonwealth has scheduled a discussion about the $2.55bn ERF, now rebadged the Climate Solutions Fund, at the long delayed meeting of federal and state energy ministers. Continue reading...

Airline will also relaunch its package holiday business in wake of Thomas Cook collapseEasyJet is set to become the world’s first major airline to operate net-zero carbon flights across its entire network, after announcing it would offset all jet fuel emissions.The British budget airline said it would start offsetting all flights from Tuesday, which it said would cost about £25m in the next financial year through schemes to plant trees or avoid the release of additional carbon dioxide. Continue reading...

EasyJet is the latest firm to adopt offsetting – but is it a solution to the climate crisis?

Children as young as 11 discovered on boats fishing illegally in Thai waters for seafood that could end up on sale in EU supermarketsChildren as young as 11 are working aboard Vietnamese vessels fishing illegally for seafood that could end up on sale in supermarkets in the EU and US, according to an investigation by the Environmental Justice Foundation.The children were discovered on boats detained by Thai authorities for fishing illegally in Thai waters, thousands of miles from their homes. Continue reading...

Heliogen uses mirrors to concentrate solar energy that can power heavy industryBill Gates is backing a new venture which aims to turn sunlight into a source of heat exceeding 1,000C that could help replace fossil fuels.The world’s richest man is joining investors behind Heliogen, the first company to concentrate sunlight to reach temperatures that are high enough to power heavy industry without carbon emissions. Continue reading...

All but one of 459 species have traits making them vulnerable to rising temperatures, study findsThe climate crisis is poised to deliver a severe blow to America’s most threatened animals, with a new study finding that almost every species considered endangered is vulnerable in some way to global heating.Of the 459 animal species listed as endangered by the US government, researchers found that all but one, or 99.8%, have characteristics that will make it difficult for them to adapt to rising temperatures. Continue reading...

Less than £2 per person was spent on trees and forestry in 2017-18, Defra figures showSpending on trees and forestry fell by nearly £20m a year between 2015 and 2018, when a purely Conservative government had taken over from the coalition, despite pledges to plant more trees.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said £132m was spent across the UK on trees in 2017-18, down from £151m in 2014-15. The more recent total included £32m in England, with most of the rest spent in Scotland. Continue reading...

‘Green new deal’ at heart of manifesto to be outlined in election broadcast on Tuesday

Activists occupy speaker’s office to mark start of hunger strike and to demand that she meet with them for an hour on cameraYoung activists frustrated and frightened by Democrats’ inaction on the climate crisis occupied the office of the top Democrat in Congress on Monday to mark the beginning of a hunger strike.Roughly a dozen strikers with Extinction Rebellion are taking part in a global climate hunger strike that nearly 300 people have pledged to join. Continue reading...

Tara Clark says the central claim of the Institute of Public Affairs’ YouTube film attacking her coral report is wrongA coral scientist whose work is attacked in a mini-documentary from the Institute of Public Affairs says the rightwing thinktank has misrepresented her study.The IPA says its YouTube film, Beige Reef, is a “must watch” because it shows healthy Acropora corals living at Stone Island, near Bowen. This, the film claims, is in a place where a study published in 2016 claimed all those corals had died. Continue reading...

Almost 10,000 sq kms lost in year to August, according to Brazilian government dataDeforestation of the Brazilian Amazon has hit the highest annual level in a decade, according to new government data which highlights the impact the president, Jair Bolsonaro, has made on the world’s biggest rainforest.The new numbers, showing almost 10,000 sq kms were lost in the year to August, were released as emboldened farm owners scuffled with forest defenders in Altamira, the Amazonian city at the heart of the recent devastation. Continue reading...

State minister says she wants to work on underwriting new power generation and KerangLink is ‘vital’Victoria has asked the Morrison government to fast-track work on the KerangLink – a transmission line increasing power transfer capability between the Snowy area and Melbourne – ahead of Friday’s long-delayed meeting of federal and state energy ministers.The request from Victoria follows a similar pitch from the New South Wales government, which has asked Canberra to underwrite new generation to replace the Liddell power station, and either underwrite or de-risk new investments in transmission that have been highlighted as urgent by the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo). Continue reading...

70 warnings issued as rivers Severn and Avon burst banks, but drier weather forecastLarge parts of Britain remain flooded and experts are warning the chaos could continue until Tuesday.There were 53 flood warnings from the Environment Agency (EA) in effect on Sunday evening, meaning flooding was expected and immediate action required. A further 89 flood alerts where possible flooding may occur had also been issued. Continue reading...

Election contenders have been setting out plans to win over voters concerned about the environmentLabour’s “green new deal” – or “green industrial revolution” – puts a radical environmental plan at the heart of the party’s election offer. It proposes a massive programme of state investment to rapidly decarbonise the economy, which it says would create hundreds of thousands of green jobs. Continue reading...

Conservative environmental policies since 2010 have been characterised by confusion and mixed messages

Party under pressure on climate crisis as Corbyn says Johnson can not be trusted

Italian city suffers worst series of high tides since 1872, with an estimated cost of €1bnVenice has closed St Mark’s Square as the city suffered a third major flooding in less than a week, while rain lashed the rest of Italy and warnings were issued in Florence and Pisa.Venice was hit with an “acqua alta”, or high water, of 150cm (5ft) on Sunday, lower than Tuesday’s 187cm – the highest level in half a century – but still dangerous. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Newly elected QFF head promoted tour by controversial scientist Peter Ridd and said reef regulation was based on ‘dodgy modelling’The Queensland Farmers’ Federation’s newly elected president once called Great Barrier Reef science “unsubstantiated scaremongering”, which has prompted calls for the suspension of the organisation’s reef foundation grants.The peak body for Queensland farmers, the QFF manages water quality improvement grants from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation totalling $4.6m – among the most awarded to a single organisation under a controversial $443m federal funding deal. Continue reading...