Environment | The Guardian

A Thousand Thorns is a project by photographer Deepti Asthana documenting women's changing aspirations in rural India through the story of two young female forest guards in Rajasthan's Thar desert. Theirs is a scenario playing out in millions of homes - of the fight for equality and independence in a deeply patriarchal society Continue reading...

Weather-related claims hit 144m in second quarter of 2024 and total payouts rose by 5% to 1.4bnBritain's largest insurance firms have warned that the climate crisis has contributed to driving up insurance payouts to the highest level in seven years, after a sharp rise in damage to households and businesses from weather events.Figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show that the amount paid out in the three months to the end of June hit 1.4bn, a 5% increase on the first quarter of the year and the highest figure of any quarter since it started collecting the data in 2017. Continue reading...

Coal and gas exports expected to remain roughly at current level until at least 2035 with 4.5% of emissions linked to Australia, report finds

Project to study all 11,000 species of butterflies and moths finds two species in the act of being created from one'The chalkhill blue has some surprising claims to fame. For a start, it is one of the UK's most beautiful butterflies, as can be seen as they flutter above the grasslands of southern England in summer.Then there is their close and unusual relationship with ants. Caterpillars of Lysandra coridon - found across Europe - exude a type of honeydew that is milked by ants and provides them with energy. In return, they are given protection in cells below ground especially created for them by the ants. Chalkhill blues thrive as a result, though their numbers are now coming under threat. Continue reading...

Controversial mining project is a political fault line in Balkan country over fears about environmental impactsThousands hit the streets in Serbia's capital Belgrade Saturday to protest against the rebooting of a controversial lithium mine set to serve as a vital source to power Europe's green energy transition.Before the rally, two leading protest figures said they were briefly detained by security officials who warned that any moves to block roads during the protest would be viewed as illegal. Continue reading...

Two-tier policing' claims are nonsense, but government is guilty of two-tier sentencing', says green energy boss Dale VinceA Labour donor has called on the government to review a sentencing regime that led to a climate protester being given a longer prison sentence than a Southport rioter who punched a police officer in the face, as he derided what he called two-tier sentencing".Dale Vince, the green energy entrepreneur who has given millions of pounds to Labour, said it was absurd" that a Just Stop Oil protester received a five-year prison sentence for their role in conspiring to cause gridlock on the M25 while a man pleading guilty to violent disorder received a significantly shorter sentence. Continue reading...

Some areas see days of temperatures over 100F, drying plants and fueling wildfires as extreme heat creates deadly conditionsCalifornia experienced its hottest month on record in July as grueling heat baked the American west for weeks on end.The state's average temperature for the month was 81.7F (27.6C), according to the National Centers for Environmental Information, but some areas endured days of temperatures greater than 100F (about 38C). Several cities broke temperature records during a heatwave in early July - Palm Springs hit 124F on 5 July, while Redding in the state's far north saw a high of 119F on 6 July. Continue reading...

As California sees increasingly devastating fires, Butte county residents lose their insurance - and homesKristy and Michael Daneau breathed a deep sigh of relief when they found the home for sale on a heavily wooded lane in northern California's Butte county five years ago. Everything lined up.The owner was looking to sell only to survivors of the Camp fire. A few months earlier, the couple and their four daughters had lost everything in the blaze, save for their four dogs. Kristy barely escaped the fast-moving flames. Continue reading...

The group says the logging in a state-owned forest in Queensland is taking place less than 3km from a high-density population group of endangered greater gliders. Conservation groups want swathes of St Mary state forest near Maryborough to be included in the Queensland government's proposed Greater Glider Forest park After 25 years, logging and bushfires, a greater glider has been spotted in Deongwar state forest Continue reading...

For first time, moors must hold licence under regime aiming to reduce unlawful killing of birds of prey by gamekeepersWildlife campaigners are calling for even tougher policing of Scottish grouse moors on the eve of this year's Glorious Twelfth", which marks the legal start of the grouse shooting season.On Monday 12 August moors across the British uplands will echo to the sound of shotguns and estate vehicles. Continue reading...

Queensland Conservation Council is urging the state government to protect the endangered greater glider population as logging continues

For a writer and runner in Denver, Colorado, the city's severe air pollution creates a daily dilemma: do something you love, or risk your health?Outdoor runners have always had a lot of data to juggle: their pace, heart-rate, mileage, route, calories, weather and much more. Though in recent years there's been a new, considerably more ominous data point for alfresco athletes to monitor: the Air Quality Index (AQI).The index, which measures the level of air pollution at any given time and location, is an increasingly necessary tool for outdoor enthusiasts in the age of climate change. Continue reading...

New research shows toxic forever chemicals' gas may escape landfills and threaten the environmentToxic PFAS forever chemicals" that leach from landfills into groundwater are among the major pollution sources in the US, and remain a problem for which officials have yet to find an effective solution.Now new research has identified another route in which PFAS may escape landfills and threaten the environment at even higher levels: the air. Continue reading...

Flea treatments for dogs, ant killer, washing-up liquid and herbicides may be partly to blame for decline in UKInsect numbers are in freefall and most people know that pesticide use in agriculture is partly to blame.But many domestic products including topical flea treatments for dogs, ant killer applications, washing-up liquid and herbicides can also contribute to the problem. Continue reading...

Most data stored on power-hungry servers is used once then never looked at againWhen I can has cheezburger?" became one of the first internet memes to blow our minds, it's unlikely that anyone worried about how much energy it would use up.But research has now found that the vast majority of data stored in the cloud is dark data", meaning it is used once then never visited again. That means that all the memes and jokes and films that we love to share with friends and family - from All your base are belong to us", through Ryan Gosling saying Hey Girl", to Tim Walz with a piglet - are out there somewhere, sitting in a datacentre, using up energy. By 2030, the National Grid anticipates that datacentres will account for just under 6% of the UK's total electricity consumption, so tackling junk data is an important part of tackling the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Legal action aims to force criminal justice department to air condition prisons, where 85,000 are at risk of heat illnessesWhen Jason Wilson was transferred in June to the Coffield Unit, a men's prison in Texas, to serve his sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm, he was initially pleased by the change of scenery. He was aware that the lock-up could be challenging in summer, given its lack of air conditioning and the intense heat in the cells, but his previous institution had been depressing.It's better here for sure," he wrote in an email to an outside advocate. Continue reading...

The best of this week's wildlife photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Drax received 22bn in subsidies despite being UK's largest emitter in 2023, though company rejects flawed' researchThe Drax power station was responsible for four times more carbon emissions than the UK's last remaining coal-fired plant last year, despite taking more than 0.5bn in clean-energy subsidies in 2023, according to a report.The North Yorkshire power plant, which burns wood pellets imported from North America to generate electricity, was revealed as Britain's single largest carbon emitter in 2023 by a report from the climate thinktank Ember. Continue reading...

Dailan Pugh says protecting the endangered species, only identified in 2004 is not rocket science'

Last month large parts of Tonga were left without internet when an undersea cable was broken. It's a scenario that is far more common than is understoodIt was the opening days of 2022, in the aftermath of a huge volcanic eruption, when Tonga went dark. The underwater eruption - 1,000 times more powerful than the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima - sent tsunami waves across Tonga's nearby archipelago and blanketed the island's white coral sands in ash.The strength of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai eruption severed internet connectivity with Tonga, causing a communication blackout at just the moment that a crisis was unfolding. Continue reading...

Another report found pesticide levels posing significant risks' in 20% of tested fruits and vegetablesA new scientific report lends weight to consumer concerns about pesticide residues on food, presenting fresh evidence that washing fruit before eating does not remove various toxic chemicals commonly used in agriculture.The paper, published on Wednesday in the American Chemical Society's journal Nano Letters, comes amid ongoing debate over the extent of pesticide contamination of food, and the potential health risks associated with a steady diet that includes pesticide residues. Continue reading...

Climate scientists say that the world is continuing to warm, despite brief respite in record breaking temperaturesEarth's string of 13 straight months with a new average heat record came to an end this past July as the natural El Nino climate pattern ebbed, the European climate agency Copernicus announced on Wednesday.But July 2024's average heat just missed surpassing last year's July, and scientists said the end of the record-breaking streak changes nothing about the threat posed by the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Devastation in Brazil wetlands was made at least four times more likely by fossil fuel use and deforestation, scientists sayThe devastating wildfires that tore through the world's biggest tropical wetland, Brazil's Pantanal, in June were made at least four times more likely and 40% more intense by human-caused climate disruption, a study has found.Charred corpses of monkeys, caimans and snakes have been left in the aftermath of the blaze, which burned 440,000 hectares (1.1m acres) and is thought to have killed millions of animals and countless more plants, insects and fungi. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Victorian Environment Protection Authority launches proactive program' to investigate potential risks from recycled soil fillAsbestos found in recycled soil at more than half NSW waste facilitiesVictoria's environment watchdog has launched a compliance blitz of waste facilities that produce cheap landscaping soil after a Guardian Australia investigation revealed systemic problems with similar recycled products in New South Wales.The Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said it had begun a proactive program looking at recovered fines" - the cheap soil or sand substitute made from construction and demolition waste residues after larger recyclable materials are removed.Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...

Juneau residents clear sodden homes after lake dammed by Mendenhall Glacier gives way in what is now yearly eventResidents in Alaska's capital cleared out waterlogged homes on Wednesday after a lake dammed by the picturesque Mendenhall Glacier gave way, causing the worst flooding in Juneau yet from what has become a yearly phenomenon.At least 100 homes and some businesses were damaged by rapidly rising floodwaters that crested early on Tuesday, according to initial estimates. In some areas, cars floated in chest-high water as people scrambled to evacuate. The waters receded by Wednesday, and the river level was falling. Continue reading...

Volunteers are helping save baby sea turtles as the endangered species' favourite nesting spots come under pressure from development, poaching and tourists

UN says a global backlash' against climate action is being stoked by fossil fuel companiesFossil fuel companies are running a massive mis- and disinformation campaign" so that countries will slow down the adoption of renewable energy and the speed with which they transition away" from a carbon-intensive economy, the UN has said.Selwin Hart, the assistant secretary general of the UN, said that talk of a global backlash" against climate action was being stoked by the fossil fuel industry, in an effort to persuade world leaders to delay emissions-cutting policies. The perception among many political observers of a rejection of climate policies was a result of this campaign, rather than reflecting the reality of what people think, he added. Continue reading...

A year after the fire some try to rebuild life in the city known as the ninth Hawaiian island' - as temperatures top 117FRemedios Ramos moved into her newly built, sand-colored Las Vegas home during a blistering week in July, when temperatures topped 117F. Inside her air-conditioned living room, a shiny grandfather clock, its price tag still attached, chimed every half hour. I like it here," Ramos said, glancing around at her pristine surroundings: brand new reclining chairs, a glossy dining set, a television still in its box.But," she sighed, scrunching her face, I like it better back home, in Hawaii." Continue reading...

A new study is mapping the secrets to the remarkably steady flight of kestrels, which could inform future drone designs and help achieve steadier flight in fixed wing aircraft. Scientists later hope to adapt the data so it can be applied to larger aircraft Continue reading...

Much of Italy's beachfront is in the hands of family-run concessions who operate exclusive clubs or charge big money for umbrellas and loungers. But a new ruling is rallying activists on both sides

First phase of trial starts this month and includes rice and pastaOcado is testing offering everyday products such as pasta, rice and washing liquid in refillable packaging in a first by an online supermarket.The scheme will trial a reusable vessel that can take food or laundry products with no extra costs for customers. Continue reading...

Experts say booming demand for holidays afloat mean ocean liners' burden on the environment is growingThe huge passenger vessels sometimes known as cruisezillas" are getting bigger than ever, according to new research which has found that the world's biggest cruise ships have doubled in size since 2000.If the industry's growth does not slow, the biggest ships in 2050 will be eight times larger, in terms of tonnage, than the Titanic - the largest ship on the seas before it sank a century ago, according to the campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E). The group also found that the number of cruise ships has risen 20-fold since 1970. Continue reading...

Study shows average platform has four times the level of pollution exposure deemed safe by EPANew York City subway riders are breathing in hazardous air, with Black and Hispanic commuters exposed to higher levels of pollution, a new study shows.New York University researchers found that the average subway platform had four times the particulate pollution (PM2.5) exposure standard deemed safe over a 24-hour period by the Environmental Protection Agency, and nine times the exposure guideline set by the World Health Organization. Continue reading...

Only 40% of birds survive collisions with windows, researchers say, suggesting that mortality rates are far higher than previously thoughtLess than half of stunned or injured birds survive a collision with a window, research has found, pushing up estimates that more than 1 billion birds may die each year from flying into buildings in the US.In a new study published on Wednesday in Plos One, researchers examined how many birds recovered in rehabilitative care after a building collision. Older estimates had assumed that most stunned birds would recover, but researchers found about 60% died, meaning the number killed by building strikes may be far higher than previously thought. Continue reading...

Even those who are concerned about climate crisis were influenced by false claims, showing how insidious' repetition is, researcher says

Community landmark is now thriving and bearing fruit after about half its branches died due to intense heatWhen a deadly wildfire tore through Lahaina on Maui last August, the wall of flames scorched the 151-year-old banyan tree along the historic town's Front Street. But the sprawling tree survived the blaze, and thanks to the efforts of arborists and dedicated volunteers, parts of it are growing back - and even thriving.For generations, the banyan tree served as a gathering place along Lahaina's waterfront. By many accounts, it was the heart of the oceanside community - towering more than 60ft (18m) high and anchored by multiple trunks that span nearly an acre. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Watchdog says it ordered disposal of more than 600 tonnes of soil fill, fined three facilities and is considering significant changes' to rules following Guardian investigation

Researchers say coral analysis shows recent extreme temperatures would not have happened without greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels

More than 95% of investors urged commodities firm to keep highly profitable fossil fuel arm to help maximise shareholder cashGlencore has scrapped plans to spin off its coal business after shareholders urged the commodities company to hold on to the highly profitable but heavily polluting division.The FTSE 100 company said that an overwhelming majority of its shareholders favoured retaining the coal business over its plan to list the division as a separate company on the New York stock exchange. Continue reading...

This has been a summer of extreme heat around the world. The Guardian is investigating how it harms our planet and leaves the world's most vulnerable people exposed to its impact

Kamala Harris's running mate boasts a strong record on climate policy and green energy as Minnesota governor

The weather system has inundated parts of the country including Florida and Georgia, whipping up tornadoes and submerging streets in waist-high flood waters Continue reading...

Gardeners and pest controllers say wasps, important predators and pollinators, appear to be in sharp declineThe UK is not doing enough to track wasp populations as numbers appear to plummet, a leading expert has warned.While there were national monitoring schemes for some invertebrates, including bees and butterflies, there was no such programme in place for wasps, said Dr Gavin Broad, principal curator of wasps at the Natural History Museum. Continue reading...

Our former environment correspondent had solar panels installed in 2010 and later added a heat pump. He's totted up the energy generated and cash saved over the yearsAn abiding memory of a day in August 2010, the first time my solar panels were connected to the grid, was of the builders downing tools and watching the electricity meter whiz round backwards.It was a sunny day and they were supposed to be finishing the plastering and insulation, but the novel sight of the old-style electricity meter in reverse was too entertaining. Continue reading...

Eight Australian sea lions were enlisted to map the ocean floor by sticking cameras with satellite tracking to their backs. Almost 90 hours of footage and 500km later, conservationists hope to have much clearer ideas on how to protect the sea lions. I can watch this stuff for hours," says Prof Simon Goldsworthy. It's like the best slow TV ever. You just don't know what you're going to see next."

Eight females from two seal colonies have filmed almost 90 hours across more than 500km, helping scientists map 5,000 sq km of habitat

Ageing correctional centers and the people within are threatened by floods, extreme heat, and building collapses due to snowfall and thawing permafrostOver millions of years, glaciers slid across what is now northern Juneau, forming the craggy valleys and alluvial plains of south-east Alaska. Then about 200 years ago, when these glaciers shrank amid rising global temperatures, meltwater flowed downstream, depositing loose, silty soil along bodies of water like Lemon Creek.In 1969, the state chose to build a prison on this flat land - despite an assessment that the glacial deposits would be poor ... material" for the building's foundation. Continue reading...

The number of species recognised as threatened with extinction rises by 13 and now stands at 2,224

More than half classed as very toxic, toxic or harmful to aquatic life, with 20 categorised as substances of very high concern'Almost 500 different chemicals, some of which are banned, have been found in various mixtures across all 171 river and groundwater catchments tested in England in 2024, according to data from the Environment Agency, analysed by the Guardian and Watershed Investigations.More than half of them are classified as very toxic, toxic or harmful to aquatic life, according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), and a banned, carcinogenic forever chemical" was among 20 substances of very high concern" found. Continue reading...

The penalties reflect the failings of the Environment Agency and Ofwat as much as the water companiesBehind the record fines announced by Ofwat for the routine dumping of sewage into rivers and seas by three water companies, there is a voiceless victim, one that does not sit in boardrooms, or get a chance to count dividends. It is our rivers and coastal waters, subjected to years of continuous pollution under the noses of the regulators, which are suffering.In all likelihood the 168m penalties for the already struggling Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Northumbrian Water will be followed by fines for the remaining eight water and sewerage companies, all of whom Ofwat is investigating over failure to treat sewage according to the law. Continue reading...