Creation of the world’s largest marine reserve comes a step closer as major companies add supportThe creation of the world’s biggest ocean sanctuary, protecting a huge tract of remote seas around Antarctica, has come a step closer after major fishing companies came out in favour of the plan.A global campaign – spearheaded by Greenpeace and backed by 1.7 million people – had put massive pressure on the krill fishing industry and retailers amid fears it was endangering one of the world’s last great wildernesses, undermining the global fight against climate change. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Data obtained by the Guardian suggests land clearing may be accelerating under Biodiversity Conservation ActComplaints about suspected illegal land clearing to a government hotline have increased sharply under the New South Wales government’s new Biodiversity Conservation Act, suggesting the rate of land clearing may be accelerating.Data obtained by the Guardian under freedom of information laws after an eight month battle with the Department of Environment shows that reports of suspected illegal land clearing have increased by nearly 30% in the months since August last year when the new laws came into force.

EDF Energy thought to have piggybacked on plans by Centrica to sell off some of nuclear power stakeThree international banks have begun courting buyers for a 49% stake in Britain’s eight nuclear power stations, starting the process of a major shakeup of the sector’s ownership.UK-listed Centrica said in February it was looking to sell its 20% stake in the nuclear plants, which UBS and Goldman Sachs are understood to be handling. Continue reading...

Scientists find a spectacular forest of bamboo coral, rare carnivorous sponges, and species never before seen in the region Continue reading...

Deniers have conservative media outlets and control the Republican Party; climate alarmists are largely ignored

Chris Grayling to unveil plans to increase take-up of ultra-low emission vehiclesPlans to install hundreds of thousands of additional charging points for electric vehicles are to be announced by the transport secretary.Chris Grayling will unveil proposals aimed at making it easier to recharge electric vehicles than refuel those running on petrol or diesel, in an attempt to increase the take-up of ultra-low emission vehicles. Continue reading...

Campaigners propose using buried rivers as source of fossil fuel-free heatBoris Johnson’s team wanted to uncover them for Londoners. The Environment Agency explored turning them into wildlife paradises.Now campaigners are targeting London’s lost rivers, water courses that have been gradually buried over the centuries, as a source of fossil fuel-free heat. Continue reading...

On-the-ground investigation finds use of banned CFC-11 is rife in China’s plastic foam industryA mysterious surge in emissions of an illegal ozone-destroying chemical has been tracked down to plastic foam manufacturers in China, according to an on-the-ground investigation published on Monday.The chemical, trichlorofluoromethane or CFC-11, has been banned around the world since 2010 and is a potent destroyer of ozone, which protects life on Earth from UV radiation, and strong greenhouse gas. A shock rise in the gas in recent years was revealed by atmospheric scientists in May, but they could only narrow the source to somewhere in East Asia. Continue reading...

Forestry industry and Barnaby Joyce have been pushing to downgrade species’ statusConservation groups say the Leadbeater’s possum should retain its conservation status as a critically endangered Australian species, based on new advice from the government’s scientific advisory body.In a draft consultation document, the threatened species scientific committee says the Victorian possum meets at least one of the criteria to make it eligible for listing as critically endangered. Continue reading...

Chinese state-run firm eyeing up multibillion-pound deal for majority share in eight sitesThe Chinese government has emerged as a potential buyer of a multibillion-pound stake in Britain’s nuclear power plants.The talks will reignite debate about China’s involvement in the UK nuclear power industry. Two years ago, the government paused approval for the £18bn Hinkley Point C project because of security concerns over China’s stake. Continue reading...

Chief executive James Cross defends the organisation and Norwich Green councillor Denise Carlo takes it to taskGeorge Monbiot (4 July) should be assured that Natural England retains its strong voice for nature, along with its statutory role and driving mission to protect and enhance the country’s wildlife, geology, habitats and landscapes. Our independence from government is firmly set out in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, which gives Natural England the powers to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations.Like all public bodies we have met the challenge of reduced budgets by reducing our reliance on public funding and instead increasingly working in partnership with organisations and individuals that share our commitment to the natural world – such as the Back from the Brink partnership that has helped save 20 species from the threat of extinction. Furthermore, in recent years we have made great progress in creating the world’s longest continuous coastal footpath and helped establish a “blue belt” of 50 marine conservation zones around England, with more in the pipeline. With the publication of the government’s 25-year plan for the environment, Natural England has a key role to play in delivering this ambitious agenda to leave the environment in a better state.

Shopkeepers are essentially correct: business rates are pre-internet and have become archaicHouse of Fraser, Mothercare, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams. The list of major retailing names that have announced plans to close stores this year is long, and will undoubtedly lengthen. That is before you count the chains that have gone the way of Woolworths and packed up altogether – the likes of Toys R Us and Maplin. And nobody has a reliable tally of the independent shops that have disappeared.No retailer has a right to survive and some of the headline-grabbing retreats owe much to outdated formats, lack of investment or bad management. Yet talk of a “crisis” on our high streets is legitimate. At least 35,000 retail jobs have been lost or put at risk of redundancy this year, which represents a brutal readjustment even at a time of high rates of general employment. Continue reading...

An exhibition at London’s Natural History Museum looks at how animals move, hunt and feed in places where no light ever shinesThe pale-throated sloth, from the northern Amazon forests, has evolved in an unusual way to survive the dangers of swinging through trees in total darkness. The nocturnal bear-like creature has developed a sense of smell so sensitive it can tell whether branches nearby are emitting whiffs of sap or not.“That allows them to swing only on to branches that are healthy,” said Professor Geoff Boxshall of the Natural History Museum in London. “They can avoid grabbing one that is sapless and dead, which might break, causing them to fall out of a tree and injure themselves. Thus they can swing safely through forests in complete darkness.” Continue reading...

Australia is drowning in a tsunami of plastic pollution and excessive packaging is one of the culprits. Boomerang Alliance asked supporters to send in pictures of the worst examples

Reducing and recycling our plastic waste will help the plastic crisis, but it won’t solve the problem. Corporations must take responsibility for the problems they are creating

The £2.15m deal will protect 460 acres of nature-rich farmland in the Peak DistrictHundreds of acres of flower-rich farmland have been bought by the National Trust to throw a lifeline to declining wildlife.The £2.15 million deal to buy 186 hectares (460 acres) of land in the Peak District – an area equivalent to 260 football pitches – is the biggest farmland acquisition by the Trust since it bought Trevose Head in Cornwall in 2016. Continue reading...

Rosamund Kissi-Debrah believes poor air quality in London contributed to her daughter’s deathThe evening before she died, Ella Kissi-Debrah picked the outfit she wanted to wear to her primary school disco the following day: new jeans and a checked top. Her mother laid them out next to her school uniform, but a few hours later the nine-year-old suffered an acute asthma attack. She never made it to the party.“We ended up burying her in the clothes instead,” said her mother, Rosamund. “I didn’t know whether it was the right thing to do, but it felt right at the time.”

Francis also denounces ‘sterile hypocrisy’ of those who turn a blind eye to the world’s poorPope Francis urged governments on Friday to make good on their commitments to curb global warming, warning that climate change, continued unsustainable development and rampant consumption threatens to turn the Earth into a vast pile of “rubble, deserts and refuse”.Francis made the appeal at a Vatican conference marking the third anniversary of his landmark environmental encyclical “Praise Be.” The document, meant to spur action at the 2015 Paris climate conference, called for a paradigm shift in humanity’s relationship with Mother Nature. Continue reading...

Exclusive: new construction work at coal terminal scheduled to begin as Juru group of traditional owners seeks stop orderAdani says it will proceed with new construction work at its Abbot Point coal terminal with or without the involvement of Juru local traditional owners, amid an escalating dispute about the protection of sacred sites.On Thursday a group of traditional owners, Juru Enterprises Ltd, lodged an application for a stop order that could force Adani to cease work in the vicinity of Abbot Point and along part of the proposed rail link to the Carmichael mine. Continue reading...

Rangers are sick of mistaken panther sightings, which detract from the fight against feral catsA large cat in Western Australia that was mistaken for a panther is the latest in a long line of mythical big cat sightings that wildlife rangers say are unhelpful.The large black feline – estimated to be 50% larger than a house cat – was spotted in the town of Coorow, 275km north of Perth, in late June, and reported to wildlife authorities as a potential panther or big cat. Continue reading...

RSPCA has collected a large number of gulls exhibiting signs of disorientation, confusion and loss of balanceGulls in Devon and areas of Dorset have been portraying signs of drunkenness, the RSPCA has said.The animal welfare charity has collected a large number of gulls exhibiting signs of disorientation, confusion and loss of balance. The first incidents were reported on 21 June. Continue reading...

Scott Pruitt’s replacement may be a more frightening prospect for those dismayed with the Trump administration’s attitude to the environmentScott Pruitt, who on Thursday resigned as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, was a firm favourite of Donald Trump. But Pruitt was plagued by scandal and faltered in carrying out the president’s agenda of peeling back clean air and water regulations. His replacement is likely to be far more adept.Related: Goodbye to the worst EPA administrator of all time | Richard Wolffe Continue reading...

Fishing is temporarily halted at Grand Manan Island after the sighting of an endangered whale, to the dismay of fishermenIn 30 years of fishing for lobster in the Bay of Fundy between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Laurence Cook has been forced off the water by high winds, winter storms and icy conditions.But until this summer, he had never had to stay home because of a whale. Continue reading...

A rare shark sighting, flying ants and a saltwater crocodile are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world Continue reading...

Shipping is estimated to account for 10% of city’s air pollution, and campaigners are targeting cruise industry in particularFrom his balcony above Marseille’s port, Jean-Pierre Eyraud has a prime view of the giant, luxury cruise liners that dock in the city bringing 1.5 million passengers a year.But since Eyraud was diagnosed four years ago with throat cancer – a diagnosis several others in his neighbourhood by the port have also had – he watches with a sense of dread as the floating holiday palaces drop off day-trippers. Continue reading...

Diners eat eel for an energy boost in summer, but its popularity has depleted stocksOversized inflatable plastic eels dangle from the ceiling of a supermarket in Tokyo as late afternoon shoppers inspect the real thing – beautifully packaged and prominently displayed – on the shelves below.In specialist restaurants run by generations of the same families, diners eat sweetened broiled eel, which is thought to take the edge off the heat and humidity of a Japanese summer. Continue reading...

New government white paper states that Britain is planing no major changes to catch quotasBritish fishing fleets will face a tough struggle to wring a substantial advantage from Brexit, despite the prime minister’s promises, owing to key concessions in the government’s fishing proposals and the difficulty of persuading other EU member states to give up their current rights in British and shared waters, the Guardian has found.Michael Gove, the environment secretary, published a white paper on Wednesday setting out the UK’s approach to fisheries after 2020, when the Brexit transition period is likely to end. He hailed “a sea of opportunity … we can take back control of our waters and revitalise coastal communities”. Continue reading...

Donald Trump announces Pruitt’s departure on Twitter and praises him for doing an ‘outstanding job’

Remains of two or three people found near pride with an axe – commonly used to remove hornAt least two rhino poachers were eaten by lions on a South African game farm, according to the reserve’s owner.A ranger taking guests on a safari drive at the Sibuya game reserve in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday afternoon discovered human remains near a pride of lions. Continue reading...

Pruitt was accused of a litany of corrupt practices, any one of which would have ended the career of an ordinary politicianAfter months of scandals, investigations and public protest, Scott Pruitt has finally resigned as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. During his relatively short time in the role, he was accused of a litany of corrupt practices, illegal activities and misuse of public funds, any one of which would have ended the career of an ordinary politician. Pruitt was far from ordinary, though. He had such an apparent disregard for government ethics and political norms, that many questioned whether he would ever leave office. But as CNN reported that Pruitt had kept a secret diary of meetings he didn’t want the public to know about because he thought it would “look bad”, his Teflon finally flaked away.Related: Scott Pruitt, Trump's embattled EPA chief, resigns after ethics scandals Continue reading...

Pruitt seemed indestructible as the administration cycled through resignations, with Trump standing by him even at the endTowards the end of his 2016 presidential election campaign, Donald Trump discovered a new slogan: “Drain the swamp!” He admitted being surprised at how well it went down with crowds at his rallies and kept repeating it. Continue reading...

Pruitt’s actions at the EPA have left a demoralized agency where staff fear their ability to protect public health is diminishedScott Pruitt, who has finally stepped down as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency after a long-rumbling corruption scandal, rose to public prominence on the back of a series of increasingly outlandish ethical controversies.Related: Scott Pruitt resigns: Trump's scandal-ridden EPA chief steps down Continue reading...

The recycling industry is in crisis, yet for most Australians it’s out of mind beyond the rattle of the recycling bin pickups each week. So what does this crisis really look like? Guardian Australia visited three processing sites to find out what happens to bins once they leave the kerbThe recycling industry has been in crisis mode in Australia since January when China, which previously bought 50% of the recycling we collect, implemented a ban that cut out 99% of what we used to sell.Recycling companies had relied on this export revenue stream to stay afloat – the amount of waste recycling we create exceeds the demand we have to buy and use within Australia. Without an outlet, some companies began stockpiling recycling or sending it straight to landfill. Continue reading...

Researchers say sea levels could also rise by six metres or more even if 2 degree target of Paris accord metTemperature rises as a result of global warming could eventually be double what has been projected by climate models, according to an international team of researchers from 17 countries.Sea levels could also rise by six metres or more even if the world does meet the 2 degree target of the Paris accord. Continue reading...

Alicia Hull on tidal energy being more efficient than nuclear, Liam O’Keeffe underlines its benefits, and Sue Roaf shines a light on solarIn his letter, Jim Waterton (30 June) protests too much. If tidal energy cannot be allowed without the possibility and costs of storage being certain, how is it that nuclear has been allowed when the costs and feasibility of storing the used fuel for countless lifetimes is equally unknown and likely to be much higher?He describes tidal energy as intermittent, when it is regular and very suitable as a base power source. In contrast, he describes nuclear power as consistent when this is far from the truth. Quite apart from their hopeless record on delivery dates, rising costs and concern that they will work, they’re also offline from time to time. The station at Sizewell is offline for maintenance for five to six weeks every 18 months. By November last year there had been 16 planned outages. But there had also been unplanned outages when dangerous faults have been identified. Continue reading...

CEO says earlier date would ease investment decisions and shift consumer attitudesShell, one of the world’s biggest oil and gas companies, has backed calls for the UK to bring forward its 2040 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales.

IUCN fears planet is entering sixth wave of extinctions with research from Australia revealing more risks to reptilesMore than 26,000 of the world’s species are now threatened, according to the latest red list assessment of the natural world, adding to fears the planet is entering a sixth wave of extinctions.

A pied crow's hearty greeting at Knaresborough Castle in North Yorkshire has been captured on film by two visitors. Lisa and Mark Brooks heard the bird chattering inside the castle grounds and started filming.'I found it absolutely hilarious. It must be a local, it has a proper Yorkshire accent. We were there for 15 minutes and it switched between saying ‘darling’ and ‘love’. Other people started coming over and were just in shock,' says Lisa Brooks.

As unions warn of serious injuries, plans to take speed limits off the lines at pig plants are causing anxietyAmputations, fractured fingers, second-degree burns and head trauma are just some of the serious injuries suffered by US meat plant workers every week, according to data seen by the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.US meat workers are already three times more likely to suffer serious injury than the average American worker, and pork and beef workers nearly seven times more likely to suffer repetitive strain injuries. And some fear that plans to remove speed restrictions on pig processing lines – currently being debated by the government – will only make the work more difficult.

Scientists looking to replace oil as the source of the world’s plastic are harnessing everything from wood-eating bugs to chicoryNew bioplastics are being made in laboratories from straw, wood chips and food waste, with researchers aiming to replace oil as the source of the world’s plastic.

Activists also target valley named for advocate of extermination amid nationwide fight to reject legacy of racism Continue reading...

Exclusive: Queensland government must rule on application to cease work around Abbot Point coal terminal

Crook, County Durham: Pholcus has a reputation for preying on other spiders, by entering their webs and vibrating, imitating struggles of a snared flyWhen I leaned the steps against the conservatory wall and climbed, my brush loaded with paint, it could so easily have ended in tragedy.

Ferries cancelled and warnings issued after thick bank of fog rolls into cityFlights and ferry services were cancelled after thick fog covered Sydney Harbour on Thursday morning. Sydneysiders shared photos of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and other landmarks as they disappeared from sight.

No 2 seed Caroline Wozniacki visibly struggled with swarm during her shock defeat

Ruth Chalmers of Greener UK supports George Monbiot’s call for better environmental protectionGeorge Monbiot is right to argue that much of our wildlife is in peril and that independent environmental bodies need enough money to do their job (As the state is dismantled, who will save Britain’s wildlife?, 4 July). Declines in wildlife have coincided with significant funding cuts to organisations such as Natural England. The government has recently pledged to set up a new environmental body, a green watchdog, to “hold the powerful to account” on maintaining protections and standards. While this is welcome, there remain questions over its independence and funding. The watchdog will fall at the first hurdle if its budget is not protected from ministerial meddling, especially as much of the new body’s focus will be on holding the government to account. A ring-fenced budget, provided and held by parliament and not government, will help, as well as ensuring operational independence. Only then can we be assured that government is truly committed to enforcing green laws after Brexit.

The northern white rhino is essentially extinct – just two females remain – but new research paves the way for its resurrectionThe first rhino embryos have been created in a test tube and could help save the northern white rhino, which is essentially extinct.There are just two northern white rhino (NWR) females left alive. The last male, called Sudan, died in March in Kenya, meaning the subspecies is doomed to die out unless the new IVF techniques bear fruit. Continue reading...

‘Striking association’ found between nine-year-old’s hospital admissions and local spikes in air pollutionThe repeated hospital admissions of a girl who died in an asthma attack at the age of nine show a “striking association” with spikes in illegal levels of air pollution around her home in London, legal documents have revealed.Ella Kissi-Debrah, from Hither Green, near the capital’s busy South Circular Road, experienced seizures for three years prior to her death in February 2013. Her family are calling for a new inquest into her death following fresh evidence that air pollution was a contributory factor. Continue reading...