Environment | The Guardian

Wenlock Edge, Shropshire: Planted to enhance the landscape around a medieval monastery, this tree has been saved from natural disintegration through pruning and loppingThe big old horse chestnut at Wenlock Priory has been pruned. I expect it’s to do with reducing the great limbs of its crown to prevent the tree falling apart in gales. The amputations have an odd symmetry and, although the idea is for new growth to reshape the tree, it looks now like a ruin among the ruins of the medieval monastery. There may be five centuries between the destruction of the priory following its dissolution in 1540 and the pruning of the tree this winter but they seem so similar, as if made of the same strange fabric.Timber and masonry are, as Rose Macaulay said in Pleasure of Ruins (1953), “part of the ruin-drama staged perpetually in the human imagination”. It’s divided in two, she says: a desire to build them up and then knock them down. There is a sense that the lopped tree in the priory grounds now joins the remains of the past to be preserved as heritage. The horse chestnut was planted to enhance the landscape around the ruins, but it could not be allowed to disintegrate naturally through wind and rain and snowfall. A veneration of age extends to old trees: it behoves us to maintain it as a version of itself, if not its natural self. Continue reading...

Case brought by group from Hunter Valley town, which it says has been devastated by Peabody Energy’s Wilpinjong mineIn what is described as a landmark case, a New South Wales court will be asked to overturn a decision to extend the life of a coalmine on the grounds the state government failed to properly consider the impact on the climate.

Hoang Duc Binh had posted footage on Facebook of fishermen protesting following a huge chemical spill from a steel plantA court in central Vietnam has sentenced an activist to 14 years in jail for livestreaming fishermen marching to file a lawsuit against a Taiwan-owned steel plant’s spill of toxins into the ocean.Hoang Duc Binh, 34, was convicted of abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the state, organisation and people, and opposing officers on duty, following a trial on Tuesday by the people’s court in Nghe An province, lawyer Ha Huy Son said. Continue reading...

Boss says his industry is changing but ‘the world is going to need oil and gas for decades’BP has declared it is looking to acquire more green energy firms, as the British oil giant pledged to set carbon targets for its operations.However, while the chief executive, Bob Dudley, said the industry was in a period of major change, he made clear that hydrocarbons would remain the core of BP’s business. Continue reading...

Move makes it the largest university fund in the UK to ditch all coal, oil and gas holdings, following a long student campaignThe University of Edinburgh is dumping all its fossil fuel investments, making it the largest UK university endowment fund to be completely free of all coal, oil and gas holdings.

A new paper shows that climate myths consistently fail critical thinking testsClimate myths are often contradictory – it’s not warming, though it’s warming because of the sun, and really it’s all just an ocean cycle – but they all seem to share one thing in common: logical fallacies and reasoning errors.John Cook, Peter Ellerton, and David Kinkead have just published a paper in Environmental Research Letters in which they examined 42 common climate myths and found that every single one demonstrates fallacious reasoning. For example, the authors made a video breaking down the logical flaws in the myth ‘climate changed naturally in the past so current climate change is natural.’

Capacity is growing fast and turbines getting bigger – some almost as large as the ShardBritain accounted for more than half of the new offshore wind power capacity built in Europe last year, as the sector broke installation records across the continent.The windfarms out in the North Sea and other shallow European waters are getting bigger in every sense. Soon turbines will almost be as large as the Shard, Europe’s tallest building. Continue reading...

Three men in their early 20s were trapped during the night by rising floodwatersThree English backpackers have been saved from rising floodwaters in Australia after their campervan was submerged in a crocodile warning area.

Helen Pidd was cycling through stationary traffic when a passenger opened his door into her pathAs soon as the van door hit me I thought: finally. After cycling regularly for 15 years it always seemed something of a miracle that I had never been knocked off.My second instinct was to feel sheepish. Was it my fault? Continue reading...

While the hole over Antarctica has been closing, the protective ozone is thinning at the lower latitudes, where the sunlight is stronger and billions of people liveThe ozone layer that protects people from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is not recovering over most highly populated regions, scientists warned on Tuesday.The greatest losses in ozone occurred over Antarctica but the hole there has been closing since the chemicals causing the problem were banned by the Montreal protocol. But the ozone layer wraps the entire Earth and new research has revealed it is thinning in the lower stratosphere over the non-polar areas. Continue reading...

Public should be given a greater say on development plans, experts sayEnvironmental lawyers and academics have called for a comprehensive rethink on how Australia’s natural landscapes are protected, warning that short-term politics is infecting decision-making and suggesting that the public be given a greater say on development plans.The Australian Panel of Experts on Environmental Law has launched a blueprint for a new generation of environment laws and the creation of independent agencies with the power and authority to ensure they are enforced. The panel of 14 senior legal figures says this is motivated by the need to systematically address ecological challenges including falling biodiversity, the degradation of productive rural land, the intensification of coastal and city development and the threat of climate change. Continue reading...

Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility needs 100 shareholders to co-file resolution at AGMInvestors in the mining giant Rio Tinto are being recruited to demand the company quit the Minerals Council of Australia.The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) has urged shareholders to co-file a resolution at Rio Tinto’s upcoming annual general meeting. In 2017 the centre successfully filed a similar motion at BHP’s AGMs, leading the company to review its membership of trade associations. Continue reading...

Series of measures includes reducing plastic in its own-brand packaging by 10% – but does not go as far as cutting it out altogetherAsda has become the latest supermarket to join the war against plastic by pledging to reduce it “wherever” it can, including slashing the amount in its own-brand packaging by 10% in the next 12 months.

Decades ago, the late writer and critic Naomi Lewis spent hours on the streets rescuing birds tangled in nylon thread. She should have been a warning sign of the horrors to comeNot knowing what to do with myself and my bad temper in my 30s, I went to a creative writing class at City Lit, a London-based adult-education college. The teacher looked odd – about 70, she was always dressed in black, her hair was grey and a little wild and she seemed to have dusted her face in flour, some of which speckled her black clothes.But there was something magical about Naomi Lewis. She was full of enthusiasm, thrilled by the efforts of her class. She would sit at the end of our square of tables, always cheery, and call out excitedly: “So good! So much of interest!” Continue reading...

Esmond Bradley Martin, whose groundbreaking investigations helped the fight against elephant poaching, died after being stabbed at home in NairobiA well-known American ivory-trade investigator, who pioneered efforts to combat elephant and rhino poaching, has been killed in his home in Nairobi, prompting an outpouring of shock and revulsion across the conservation world.Esmond Bradley Martin, 75, died after being stabbed in his house in the Nairobi suburb of Langata on Sunday. His wife, Chryssee Martin, found his body. Bradley Martin had led global investigations into illegal wildlife trading since the 1970s and was a charismatic and familiar sight at conservation conferences. Continue reading...

City’s four main hospitals hand out bedpans and bottled water due to water supply problemsOperations have been cancelled at Manchester’s four main hospitals after a mains leak cut the water supply.Only cancer-related and urgent operations were taking place on Monday morning, and patients were asked not to flush toilets and to wash their hands using antiseptic gel. Bedpans have been handed out and bottled water was available to drink. Continue reading...

Plastic is destroying our oceans, yet big corporations are still being given money to produce cheap plastic. It’s time for polluters to pay for the damage they causeA six-year-old boy, Harrison Forsyth, provided us with a much needed wake-up call last week. He called on the boss of Aldi to protect our oceans:“Dear boss of Aldi, I have watched this programme called Blue Planet 2 and I have seen that the plastic in the sea is making the animals sick and die. Continue reading...

Coalition pressures Queensland government to back Aurizon proposal to build rail linkLabor has inched closer to resolving its stance on the controversial Adani coalmine as the federal resources minister, Matt Canavan, declared he was looking at alternatives to open up the Queensland coal basin and “get these jobs going”.

Peers use evidence-free anecdotes and cabbie hearsay to claim cycle lanes cause congestion – shouldn’t we demand a higher standard?

5 February 1918 The sap is running, forcing on new life. In the withy bed the hares in couples, weeks before their proverbial date for madness, dodge round the clumps, while a ‘joyous clamour’ rises from the mereThe gay cock chaffinch, in smart, nuptial garments, rattles out repeated challenges to a distant rival, who strives to answer in as sprightly terms; it began to sing here three days ago at least. The blackbird this morning pipes airs and variations with such skill and finish that we can hardly realise that he has only just begun to sing.The spring-like weather, which has brought out the semi-wild snowdrops in a Cheshire wood, has dotted the yellow crocuses about our gardens, awakened the sleepy bees and sent them to the winter aconites, has stirred their blood. Continue reading...

Ilkley, West Yorkshire: The Cow and the Calf have become monuments to our longing to anchor ourselves in the world

Scientists and economists condemn squandering of $4bn on projects that have failed to improve the river’s healthA group of prominent scientists and economists have issued a stark warning to the nation’s politicians: the Murray-Darling basin plan is failing to achieve environmental goals and is a “gross waste” of money.The group of seven economists and five scientists with deep expertise in the river are meeting on Monday morning in Adelaide to issue what they are calling the Murray-Darling declaration.

Energy giants hope Scottish court will permit development of 36 turbines on moorlandHundreds of crofters are fighting an attempt by the energy giants EDF and Wood Group to build a windfarm on the island of Lewis.

It’s a simple idea: strip CO2 from the air and use it to produce carbon-neutral fuel. But can it work on an industrial scale?It’s nothing much to look at, but the tangle of pipes, pumps, tanks, reactors, chimneys and ducts on a messy industrial estate outside the logging town of Squamish in western Canada could just provide the fix to stop the world tipping into runaway climate change and substitute dwindling supplies of conventional fuel.It could also make Harvard superstar physicist David Keith, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and oil sands magnate Norman Murray Edwards more money than they could ever dream of. Continue reading...

‘Virtual’ power plant will cut bills, premier says, as Turnbull attacks renewable policy at Liberal campaign launchA network of at least 50,000 home solar systems backed up by battery storage will create the world’s largest “virtual” power plant to cut energy bills, Jay Weatherill has said.The South Australian premier said a trial was already under way to install solar panels and Tesla batteries on 1,100 Housing Trust homes. The cost would be financed by the sale of electricity. The power generated by the solar panels and the batteries would not be owned directly by the households. Continue reading...

Concessional $900m loan cannot proceed without Queensland government approval, Karen Andrews saysThe Adani Carmichael coalmine will not receive federal funding from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility for a vital rail line, a Turnbull government minister has said.The announcement by Karen Andrews on Sunday is a major blow to Adani, which has sought a $900m concessional loan for rail to link the Carmichael mine to port – and could spell the end of the project entirely if it can’t secure private finance. Continue reading...

In 10 weeks engineers will turn off water for a million homes as this South African city reacts to one-in-384-year drought. The rich are digging boreholes, more are panic-buying bottled water, and the army is on standbyInteractive explainer: how Cape Town is running dryThe head of Cape Town’s disaster operations centre is drawing up a plan he hopes he never has to implement as this South African city on the frontline of climate change prepares to be the first in the world to turn off the water taps.

Boduan, Pwllheli: A woodland burial reminds us that nature is the mirror and foundation for every resurrection mythMy dear old friend loved birds. They brought her joy. I’d spent many peaceful hours in her garden room, keeping her company, watching the nuthatches, woodpeckers, goldfinches and siskins at her bird table during these recent years of illness patiently borne. She died in the last minutes of the old year, at the age of 88. A woodland burial was arranged at Boduan Sanctuary. Waxy-white clumps of snowdrops reflected in the hearse’s paintwork as she left her home for the last time.

Eggborough’s failure to get capacity market contract proved final straw for power stationA major coal power station in Yorkshire will close at the end of September after it failed to secure a government subsidy to provide backup power next winter. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Leaked paper from group representing Tory MEPs says it will be impossible to ensure current standards are kept in Britain or EUThe European Conservative and Reformist group which represents Conservative MEPs has has said Brexit will make it “impossible” to guarantee that current environmental standards can be maintained in Britain or the EU.A leaked document seen by the Guardian also calls for “the closest possible working relationship” between the EU and UK after Brexit, and for a “no regression clause” in future British trade deals. Continue reading...

Golden monkeys, whooper swans and a giant tortoise are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world Continue reading...

Exclusive: 197 people killed last year for defending land, wildlife or natural resources, new Global Witness data reveals. In recording every defender’s death, the Guardian hopes to raise awareness of the deadly struggle on the environmental frontlineThe slaughter of people defending their land or environment continued unabated in 2017, with new research showing almost four people a week were killed worldwide in struggles against mines, plantations, poachers and infrastructure projects.

Presidential order reduced protections for land once part of Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monumentsHundreds of thousands of acres of land that were part of two US national monuments shrunk by Donald Trump are being opened on Friday to mining claims for uranium and other minerals.It is a symbolic step in a broader conflict over the fate of America’s public lands, on which Trump hopes to encourage greater access for extractive industries. Continue reading...

As 2018 enters its second month we’d like to see your photos of the wildlife you’ve discovered where you liveWhat sort of wildlife will we all discover on our doorsteps this month? We’d like to see your photos of the February wildlife near you, whether you’re a novice spotter or have been out and about searching forcreatures great and small for years.Related: Has spring come early where you live? Share your pictures Continue reading...

Average temperature for the month was 20.3C, more than three degrees higher than normalJanuary was the hottest month ever recorded in New Zealand, according to figures released on Friday, and experts say climate change is one factor.

Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk: Trying to find enough shelter to keep warm and conserve energy without increasing the risk of attack is a juggling act for a small bird

To celebrate World Wetlands day, WWF is highlighting its work in the Pantanal, the world’s biggest wetland. This pristine environment in South America supports a rich variety of wildlife and plants, while its enormous water reserves are vital for the 8 million people who depend on the Pantanal’s fresh water, fish, climate control and tourism. Continue reading...

New Zealand conservationists mourn loss of celebrated bird that was lured by replica gannets in the hope of establishing a breeding colonyIf there is such a thing as a tragic life for a bird, then the life of Nigel “no mates”, a New Zealand gannet, probably fits that bill.Nigel lived for years on his own on uninhabited Mana Island off the north of the country, surrounded by concrete replica gannets. Continue reading...

Rodney Flowers has pleaded not guilty to quad bike driving on conservation area trackA Jacqui Lambie Network candidate in the Tasmanian election is facing a court hearing over allegedly driving on prohibited 4WD tracks along the heritage-listed Tarkine coast.Related: Jacqui Lambie hits out at major parties over Tasmanian election snub Continue reading...

Transport minister unveils new measures allowing government to prosecute carmakersCarmakers who cheat emissions rules with illegal devices could face unlimited fines and criminal charges for deceiving environmental tests under new measures set to be introduced in the wake of the Volkswagen scandal.

Global studies show that when wood stoves are replaced, particle pollution falls sharplyA new study shows how home wood burning is worsening air quality in UK towns and cities. Wood burning is adding between 24% and 31% to the particle pollution emitted in Birmingham and London. Many people think that this is a harmless form of heating, but it is often hard to see the impact of a pollutant until it is taken away.Related: Toxic air pollution particles found in human brains Continue reading...

Party urges $2.8bn commonwealth acquisition of privately owned interconnectorsThe Greens will on Friday call for electricity assets to be returned to public ownership, starting with a commonwealth acquisition of privately owned interconnectors, costing $2.8bn.The new energy policy from the Greens, to be released as the party gears up to contest the Batman byelection in Melbourne’s northern suburbs after the resignation of Labor’s David Feeney on Thursday, would seek to transition privately owned transmission infrastructure in three states, including Victoria, back to public ownership. Continue reading...

Renewed focus on food safety comes after ‘serious incidents’ at 2 Sisters and Russell HumeThe UK’s food regulators are launching nationwide review of all meat cutting plants in the wake of “serious incidents” at 2 Sisters Food Group and Russell Hume.The announcement comes days after the Food Standards Agency was criticised by a committee of MPs for failing to take “definite action” to improve food standards following a Guardian and ITV undercover investigation last year. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Analysis shows federal and state environment spending cut while industry awarded $2.5bn in fuel tax creditsMining companies will receive more than twice as much in fuel tax credits as the Turnbull government will spend on environment and biodiversity programs this financial year, an analysis has found.Coalmining companies alone are expected to get more back than the diminishing funding allocated to the federal environment department. Continue reading...

Original report said to have showed more pollution flowed into sensitive Caley valley wetlands than company had allegedAdani submitted an altered laboratory report while appealing a fine for contamination of sensitive wetlands on the Queensland coast near the Great Barrier Reef, the Guardian understands.While appealing a $12,000 fine for spilling coal-laden water on to the beach at Abbot Point after Cyclone Debbie, Adani submitted a report detailing the nature of the spill. Continue reading...

Report says Neg will also undermine efficiency of renewable investmentThe Turnbull government’s proposed national energy guarantee will protect coal generators from competition provided by renewables and batteries and undermine the efficiency of investment in renewable generation capacity, according to a new analysis.The analysis of the government’s policy by Carbon and Energy Markets for the Australian Conservation Foundation also floats the idea that the Neg – which imposes new reliability and emissions reduction guarantees on Australia’s energy retailers and large energy users from 2020 – could mean the existing spot market will need to be disbanded. Continue reading...

Toxic NO2 pollution affects most of urban areas of the UK, but London is worst hit. View live data from the capital to see which sites are breaking legal limitsOn 30 January, Brixton Road in south London reached its annual legal limit for toxic nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – less than a month into the year. It breached the limit two days later.The rapid breaking of the limit is a dramatic illustration of the illegal air pollution affecting most urban areas in the UK, for which the government is being sued in the high court for a third time early in 2018. High NO2 levels are estimated to cause about 23,500 early deaths a year across the nation.

We’ve come to accept Trump’s ignorance, but it’s often dangerousDonald Trump has decimated all presidential norms to such a degree that it’s now difficult to feel alarmed or outraged when he inevitably breaks another. It was difficult to raise an eyebrow when the story broke that Trump paid off a porn star to remain silent about their affair, which happened just after his third wife had given birth to his fifth child, because it’s Donald Trump – of course he did.Likewise, when Trump made a number of grossly ignorant and wrong comments about climate change in an interview with Piers Morgan last week, my first reaction was ‘it’s Donald Trump – of course he did.’ Continue reading...

Warning over wider global health impacts after findings reveal hundreds of tonnes of colistin – the ‘antibiotic of last resort’ – are being shipped to India’s farmsChickens raised in India for food have been dosed with some of the strongest antibiotics known to medicine, in practices that could have repercussions throughout the world.