The Colorado River serves over 35 million Americans before reaching Mexico – but it is dammed at the border, leaving locals on the other side with a dry delta

Environmentalists’ vote share soars but anti-immigrant Swiss People’s party remains largestGreen parties have made historic gains in national elections in Switzerland, marking a significant shift in power in the consensus-centred system of the Alpine country, where political change often takes place at glacial speed.The rightwing anti-immigrant Swiss People’s party (SVP) remained the largest party in parliament despite a slip in its support. But the Swiss Greens received a six-point bump on their 2015 performance, taking 13.2% of the vote in a result that amounted to “a tectonic shift”, according to their president, Regula Rytz. Continue reading...

Energy agency says solar power will drive faster than forecast growth in renewablesGlobal supplies of renewable electricity are growing faster than expected and could expand by 50% in the next five years, powered by a resurgence in solar energy.The International Energy Agency (IEA) found that solar, wind and hydropower projects are rolling out at their fastest rate in four years. Continue reading...

John Lewis Partnership also plans to reduce amount of glitter in products soldJohn Lewis and Waitrose are to stop selling Christmas crackers containing plastic toys and puzzles as part of a drive to reduce single-use plastics – but not until 2020.The retailers will announce on Monday that they would switch next year to crackers filled with toys and other items made from recyclable materials such as metal and paper, with the cardboard wrappers embossed rather than decorated with plastic glitter. Continue reading...

Icac hears lobby group pressured government after IPC blocked mine on environmental groundsThe head of New South Wales’s mining lobby said his group had “publicly and privately” pressured government to review the state’s independent planning body after it blocked a new coalmine on environmental grounds, an anti-corruption probe has heard.The NSW Minerals Council chief executive, Stephen Galilee, fronted the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Monday to answer questions about the way his organisation attempts to influence government. Continue reading...

Infrastructure Victoria suggests households be given bins for general waste, organics, plastics, glass, metals, paper and cardResidents in Victoria could soon have as many as six bins for waste and recycling, under a proposal by Infrastructure Victoria to deal with the state’s recycling crisis.Around 35% of all waste produced by households in Victoria in 2017-18 ended up in landfill, according to evidence from Sustainability Victoria, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office. Continue reading...

The Engineers Declare movement pledges to put climate considerations first in evaluating plansEngineering firms are under increased pressure from their own employees to abandon controversial fossil fuel projects, as the sector turns its attention to the climate crisis.About 1,000 Australian engineers and 90 organisations – including large firms and respected industry figures who have worked with fossil fuel companies – have signed a declaration to “evaluate all new projects against the environmental necessity to mitigate climate change”. Continue reading...

Data reveals acute impact on people’s health and the strain it puts on emergency servicesScores of children and adults are being rushed to hospital for emergency treatment on days of high pollution in cities across England, figures show.Each year emergency services see more than 120 additional cardiac arrests, more than 230 additional strokes and nearly 200 more people with asthma requiring hospital treatment on days of high pollution compared with the average on days of lower pollution. Continue reading...

Airline hails achievement after 19-hour New York-to-Sydney flight carrying 50 passengers and crewThey did the Macarena 10,972 metres above Las Vegas, dined on chilli- and lime-poached prawns and spicy “Jiangxi-style” cod and watched a fair few movies, including the Elton John biopic, Rocketman. Well, they had enough time: 19 hours and 16 minutes to be precise.Aviation history was made at 7.43am on Sunday when Qantas flight QF7879 touched down at Sydney airport, completing the world’s longest ever commercial flight. It had taken off from New York’s JFK airport at 9.27pm on Friday night. Along the way, it produced the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions of burning more than 700 barrels of oil. Continue reading...

Landowners were painted as battling victims of heartless bureaucrats by the Sydney broadcaster. But was he telling the whole story?• Hear audio of Ben Fordham on 2GB in our podcast Full Story

Onlookers applaud as topless protesters from Extinction Rebellion covered in fake oilSemi-naked environmental campaigners have been drenched in fake oil at the National Portrait Gallery to protest against its sponsorship by BP.To the surprise of visitors on Sunday afternoon, activists from Extinction Rebellion wearing just underwear suddenly assumed the foetal position while others poured the “oil” on their bodies in the Ondaatje Wing main hall, where a collection of pieces sponsored by BP is on display. Continue reading...

Somerset House exhibit will feature natural birdsong being taken over by artificial soundThe dawn chorus is one of the wonders of the natural world, but a discordant note will be struck when a soundtrack of hundreds of birds is heard in London this month. The chiffchaffs, great tits, redstarts, robins and thrushes almost sound like the real thing, but they have been created by a machine as part of a major art installation warning of an apocalyptic world where Britain’s bird population has been allowed to diminish.The synthetic bird sounds are the creation of the artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, who has worked with scientists at an AI company more used to researching Donald Trump deepfake videos to create the work. Continue reading...

‘We have made a tragic, desperate mess’ of our world, says naturalist, but there are signs of positive changesHumans have made a “tragic, desperate mess” of the planet, Sir David Attenborough has warned. Speaking as BBC One prepares to air his new natural history series, Seven Worlds, One Planet, next Sunday, the naturalist said: “We are now universal, our influence is everywhere. We have it in our hands, and we have made a tragic, desperate mess of it so far.”However, he added one note of optimism. “Nations are coming together and recognising we all live on the same planet ... and we are dependent on it for every mouthful of food we eat and every breath of air we take.” Attenborough also paid tribute to environmental activist Greta Thunberg and praised her “passion, insight and concern about the future”. He described the Swedish 16-year-old as a “political person” rather than a broadcaster. “And making programmes like this, I’ve been doing it for a long time, and I’m sure a hell of a lot of young people are saying, ‘For God’s sake, why doesn’t he move over? Give another person a chance’, but, anyway, there I am.” Continue reading...

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count begins on Monday and an exceptionally dry 2019 could see a changing of the guard in the top 10• The Guardian/Bird Life Australia bird of the year poll returns on 28 OctoberSince BirdLife Australia launched the Aussie Backyard Bird Count in 2014, the number of participants has risen from 9,000 to over 70,000. Unsurprisingly, the amount of birds that have been counted in our cities and towns has also risen – from 850,000 to more than 2.75 million birds last year.Yet when it comes to the top 10 most commonly seen birds, the song remains the same, with the same species entrenched firmly at the top every year. It’s the birding equivalent of tuning into Countdown in the 70s to find Abba’s Fernando top of the charts for the 27th week in a row. Continue reading...

A proposed sanctuary to protect reefs and marine life off east Antarctica was knocked back last year by nations including China and Russia

Environmentalist Jacqueline Evans says she was dismissed from the Marae Moana for urging caution on deep-sea miningThe public champion of the world’s largest marine reserve – the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana – has said she lost her job managing it because she supported a moratorium on seabed mining in the Pacific.Six months ago, Jacqueline Evans won the Goldman Environmental prize – the world’s foremost environmental award – for her work establishing Marae Moana (meaning “sacred ocean”), which covers the Cook Islands’ entire exclusive economic zone of more than 1.9m sq km. Continue reading...

The World Solar Challenge, celebrated biennially since 1987, saw teams from around the world set off from Darwin on a 3,000km race to Adelaide by solar-powered car. Belgian team Agoria took first place this year after Dutch rivals Vattenfall caught fire 250km from the finish line Continue reading...

Spurred on by the likes of Greta Thunberg, the movement is now engaging with social problemsInspired by a wave of youth activism, scouts from across Britain are setting aside campfires and hobby badges to tackle some of the UK’s biggest social issues, from homelessness and the climate crisis to migrants and mental health.The 112-year-old movement has enlisted the support of British astronaut Tim Peake to lead its campaign, in part spurred on by the 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Continue reading...

For young Extinction Rebellion members, there is an urgency they say others struggle to fully graspWhen five members of Extinction Rebellion’s youth faction climbed on top of the entrance to YouTube’s HQ on Wednesday, they were protesting against a problem that has particular relevance for their generation.In a letter to the company, they demanded that YouTube changes what the group claims is its disproportionate platforming of climate denial, on a site which is the most watched platform for 16-24-year-olds. Continue reading...

Strengthening public order laws could be ‘shocking assault on right to protest’, warn civil rights lawyers

At launch of BBC nature series Seven Worlds, One Planet, Attenborough says message is finally getting throughDavid Attenborough has delivered a heartfelt message to children around the world on how they can help save the planet: “Live the way you want to live but just don’t waste.”At the first screening of the BBC’s forthcoming blockbuster nature series, Seven Worlds, One Planet, the 93-year-old offered his advice to a five-year-old in the London audience. The boy was overwhelmed by nerves when handed the microphone, so his father asked his question on his behalf: “What can he do to save the planet?” Continue reading...

Discovery of whale’s body near Gravesend follows death of young humpback this monthA second whale has been found dead in the Thames less than two weeks after a humpback nicknamed Hessy died near the same stretch of water.The Port of London Authority confirmed the suspected fin whale was discovered in the river at Denton, near Gravesend, on Friday morning. Continue reading...

A plucky otter, a mysterious blob and a Florida panther on the prowl Continue reading...

Scottish Power boss says UK regulator needs reform after refusing upgrades to cope with e-vehicle demandThe energy regulator has been accused by Scottish Power of hindering the UK’s electric vehicle rollout due to its “colossal disconnect” with Britain’s climate policies.Keith Anderson, the chief executive of the “big six” energy company, said businesses in the sector could do more to help the UK become a carbon neutral economy, but efforts are being held back by Ofgem’s outdated regulation. Continue reading...

Reasons to be cheerful include signs that a renewables revolution could soon end rising demand for fossil fuelsOil has been a game-changer for humanity. It turbocharged more than a century of growth and destruction: people got bigger, went further, stayed warmer and lived longer. Oil powered travel, exploration, science, industry and innovation.But it also powered conflict, both as a fuel and a potential spoil. It exacerbated inequality. And it polluted – oceans, rivers, wildernesses and, of course, the atmosphere. Continue reading...

MP says Humphries should face Icac for allegedly telling farmers they would not be prosecuted for land clearing that was later found to be illegalThe New South Wales government is being urged to refer a Nationals MP to the corruption watchdog after the Guardian revealed that at least two farmers facing court said they broke land-clearing laws on his alleged say so.Two farmers who were being sentenced in the NSW land and environment court in recent months have told the judges hearing their cases that they ignored the old native vegetation laws because their local MP for Barwon, Kevin Humphries, had allegedly told them the laws would be scrapped and there would be no prosecutions. Continue reading...

Photographer Robin Hinsch travelled to the Niger delta, visiting the gas flaring sites, artisanal refineries, and meeting the communities living in the hugely polluted environments caused by the oil industryCovering 70,000 sq km (27,000 sq miles) of wetlands, the Niger delta was formed primarily by sediment deposition. It is home to more than 30 million people and 40 different ethnic groups, making up 7.5% of Nigeria’s total land mass. Continue reading...

Environment groups say paper is preferable to plastic but the focus should remain on bringing reusable bagsWoolworths has begun a trial of paper bags in select stores, a move environment groups say is preferable to the use of plastic though the focus should remain on reusable bags.The paper bags cost 20c each and are currently available in 20 stores around the country, and will be offered in addition to the existing reusable thick plastic bags that cost 15c. Continue reading...

More than one in five shareholders support exiting groups ‘inconsistent’ with Paris climate goalsMore than one in five shareholders of mining giant BHP have backed a resolution calling on the company to resign its membership of any industry associations whose advocacy is “inconsistent” with the Paris climate change agreement.BHP’s board recommended shareholders vote against the resolution at its annual meeting in London, but 22% of shareholders voted in favour, with another 7% abstaining. Continue reading...

Global environment editor Jonathan Watts discusses the Guardian’s investigation into the fossil fuel industry, and the structures that need to change to halt the climate emergency. And: Gary Younge on Donald Trump’s mental healthThe Guardian’s global environment editor, Jonathan Watts, tells Anushka Asthana about the polluters series, which identified 20 fossil fuel companies whose relentless exploitation of the world’s oil, gas and coal reserves can be directly linked to more than one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the modern era.The project shows many of the worst offenders are investor-owned companies that are household names around the world and spend billions of pounds on lobbying governments and portraying themselves as environmentally responsible. They discuss the systemic changes that would need to take place to change the way the world produces and uses fossil fuels. Continue reading...

Details of photos used to justify new protest laws blocked from releaseThe Palaszczuk government has blocked the release of basic information about climate protests – including dates and locations of photographs used to justify controversial proposed laws – by claiming the details are subject to cabinet confidentiality.At an inquiry hearing last week, the Queensland police tabled photographs of “locking devices” that are proposed to be banned by the new legislation. Continue reading...

Equivalent of 83m plastic bottles in often throwaway outfits sold by leading retailersAn estimated 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste – equivalent to 83m bottles – will be generated from throwaway Halloween clothing sold by leading retailers in the UK this year research suggests.An investigation by Hubbub, an environmental charity, into the seasonal outfits available from 19 supermarkets and retailers – including Aldi, Argos, Asos, Amazon, Boden, John Lewis, M&S, Next, and Tesco – found that 83% of the material used was polluting oil-based plastic likely to end up in landfill. Continue reading...

Democratic governor establishes taskforce despite inevitable pushback from state’s Republican-controlled legislatureThe Democratic governor of Wisconsin is launching a taskforce to brainstorm ways to cut climate pollution, despite inevitable pushback from the state’s Republican-controlled legislature.Tony Evers has vowed Wisconsin will meet the goals of the international Paris climate agreement, even as Donald Trump aims to leave the pact and has discounted climate science, rescinded pollution efforts and promoted fossil fuels. Continue reading...

Commuters clash with demonstrators over morning rush hour disruptionExtinction Rebellion activists have disrupted London’s public transport network during rush hour, in an action that is likely to polarise opinion on the environmental movement’s tactics.There were clashes at Canning Town tube station as commuters dragged a protester from the roof of a Jubilee line train and set upon him. He had to be defended by London Underground staff and other passersby. Continue reading...

Climate now ‘top of the agenda’ for investors as airlines try to lower carbon emissionsEscalating pressure from investors is pushing airlines to address environmental concerns, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata), which acknowledged that the trend toward “flight-shaming” could weigh on the industry’s future growth.Speaking at a conference in London where airlines vied to demonstrate plans to decarbonise, Iata said the climate was now “top of the agenda” for investors. Continue reading...

Landowners found guilty of illegal clearing say Kevin Humphries assured them native vegetation laws were being scrapped• Stripped bare: Australia’s hidden climate crisis

Campaigns to encourage more sustainable and respectful travel are increasing, though some industry figures doubt their power to effect changeFinland has become the latest destination to introduce a tourism pledge, asking visitors to the country to promise to respect its nature, culture and inhabitants.Forming part of a wider sustainability drive that focuses on Finnish values and traditions, such as embracing the outdoors, foraging and recycling, the pledge requires visitors to “be more like a Finn” and includes the line “in my choices the climate comes first”. Continue reading...

Shadow chancellor says third runway ‘cannot stand’ as court of appeal challenges beginThe campaign against the multibillion-pound expansion of Heathrow is on the verge of victory, John McDonnell has claimed, as three court of appeal judges considered fresh legal challenges against a third runway.The shadow chancellor, who has long been an opponent of expanding the airport in his constituency, said the picture had changed since the previous legal challenge in the spring, as the UK had legislated for a net-zero emissions target by 2050 and declared a climate emergency. Continue reading...

Guardian environment correspondent Fiona Harvey recalls being heckled at the House of Commons and explains how attitudes to climate have shifted in 10 years

Appeal court to hear fresh challenge against plans for construction of third runwayThe multibillion-pound expansion of Heathrow violates the rights of children and future generations, who will face the greatest impact of the climate crisis, lawyers will argue at the court of appeal in London.Fresh legal challenges on Thursday by environmental NGOs, councils and the mayor of London against the construction of a third runway will be presented during a five-day hearing. Continue reading...

In Question Time, the prime minister says opposition are addicted to panic and crisis. This blog is now closed

Vets say conditions have led to a ‘starvation event’, killing creatures or leaving them ‘looking like they’ve been mummified’Flying foxes, including threatened species, have been dying or taken into care in large numbers due to a food shortage in their habitat in eastern Australia.Authorities in Queensland and New South Wales say there have been increased reports since September of sick and dead flying-foxes in an area stretching from northern NSW up to Gladstone in Queensland. Continue reading...

NunaX car of Dutch team catches fire 250km before finish of 3,000km Darwin to Adelaide raceThe leading car in the World Solar Challenge has caught fire and withdrawn from the race a little more than 250km from the Adelaide finish.The NunaX car of Dutch team Vattenfall caught fire just before Mambray Creek on Thursday. Continue reading...

Kathy Castor’s letter to Sundar Pichai says it’s hard to ‘overstate the detrimental impact’ groups have had on the climate debateA Democratic lawmaker has called on Google CEO Sundar Pichai to stop investing in organizations that deny the existence of the climate crisis, saying it was hard to overstate how detrimental the impact of such groups had been on the US climate debate.Kathy Castor’s letter to Pichai followed a report in the Guardian last week that revealed Google had made “substantial” contributions to some of the most notorious climate deniers in Washington, despite the internet giant’s insistence it supports political action to combat the crisis. Continue reading...

‘Nurse-in’ held outside company’s offices in protest at funding of climate deniers

Critics condemn move placing thousands of square miles of rainforest under control of international companiesThe Ivory Coast’s dwindling rainforests could be “wiped out” under a new law that will see legal protections removed from thousands of square miles of classified forest and unprecedented power handed to industrial chocolate manufacturers.Civil society groups, environmental campaigners and workers’ cooperatives have warned that the new forestry code, ratified by the National Assembly and currently being implemented, will encourage unsustainable cocoa production and legalise large-scale deforestation in already ravaged areas. Continue reading...

National Farmers’ Federation calls for a ‘new approach’ for future dry spellsFarmers are calling on the government to develop a new drought policy that ends an “ad hoc” and reactive approach to drought, saying government efforts to date have been a national failure.The National Farmers’ Federation signed off on a drought policy framework on Wednesday, calling for a “new approach” for future dry spells, while saying the plan would not address the current situation facing farmers. Continue reading...

Guardian Australia editor says we can be a superpower of the post-carbon world economy if we set aside the self-defeating culture war

Guardian US editor explains how one of the big surprises in moving to America has been the media’s approach to the climate crisis. Here’s how the Guardian hopes to ignite the conversation – with support from you