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Scientists discover new giant water lily species
Germany stops landmark mechanism that funded renewables expansion via power bills
Germany ends landmark renewables levy on consumer power prices. The surcharge helped to spur the growth of wind and solar power capacity for more than two decades.
The post Germany stops landmark mechanism that funded renewables expansion via power bills appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Small retailers issue plea for help as fossil fuel price surge claims another victim
Smaller electricity retailers issue joint plea to market regulators to stop "chain reaction" of failures as yet another energy retailer calls in administrators.
The post Small retailers issue plea for help as fossil fuel price surge claims another victim appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Angus Taylor lines up against huge solar and battery project in Hume
Community group says former federal energy minister is quietly supporting opponents of a 400MW solar farm and big battery in his electorate.
The post Angus Taylor lines up against huge solar and battery project in Hume appeared first on RenewEconomy.
German wind giant buys into three big Australian offshore wind projects
German wind giant teams up with UK based developer to advance three offshore wind projects in Australia.
The post German wind giant buys into three big Australian offshore wind projects appeared first on RenewEconomy.
To stop risky developments in floodplains, we have to tackle the profit motive - and our false sense of security
Using human hair to fight oil spills
Finding the Higgs: ‘Incredible’ moment in science
Research reveals fire is pushing 88% of Australia's threatened land mammals closer to extinction
Recognising Indigenous knowledges is not just culturally sound, it's good science
‘It’s hot’: UK interest in solar power heats up as energy bills soar
Boom clouded by supply chain disruption, a fragmented industry as well as ethical issues
“It’s hot,” says Steve Springett, a director of the renewable energy brand Egg, cheerily assessing the solar market. “There’s two key factors: people are understanding the environmental benefits of it better, and energy is really, really expensive at the moment.”
Consumer interest has increased in recent months as Britons hunt for ways to cut huge energy bills. A reduction in VAT on energy efficient systems from 5% to nothing this spring has added to the appeal of solar power.
Continue reading...Australian govt heavy industry initiatives lack net zero focus -report
What's causing Sydney's monster flood crisis – and 3 ways to stop it from happening again
Victoria starts momentous shift from dirty and expensive gas, but is it quick enough?
Victoria begins momentous shift from gas in a landmark roadmap to embrace electrification and energy efficiency.
The post Victoria starts momentous shift from dirty and expensive gas, but is it quick enough? appeared first on RenewEconomy.
How much of our plastic 'recycling' is actually recycled?
Labour pledges to create 30,000 jobs at electric car battery gigafactories
Party makes promise amid reports UK is falling behind European rivals in production capacity for EVs
Labour has pledged to create at least 30,000 jobs by promising to build three gigafactories for electric car battery production in Britain by 2025, as it warned the country was falling behind its European competitors in the race to ditch petrol power.
Amid recent reports that Britain faces a battle to hold on to the production of electric vehicles (EVs) made by manufacturers already in the UK, the party has committed itself to a major expansion of the part-financing of gigafactories. It follows research suggesting countries such as Germany, which already has a huge car industry, are significantly ahead in establishing the plants.
Continue reading...Taking the plunge: on your first cold-water swim, it’s OK to swear
In the depths of a Melbourne winter, when it’s 4.6C on the bank and 6C in the Yarra, the true believers gather
I asked my friend if she wanted to come swimming in the Yarra/Birrarung – near the city – as dawn broke last week.
“It’s safe, they test!” I said. She paused, and for a second I thought she would join me in this foolhardiness. Then she replied: “That’s like saying drinking your own piss is safe.”
Continue reading...Australasia’s remarkable reptiles and amphibians – in pictures
A new book showcases spectacular photos of frogs, crocodiles, tuataras, turtles, lizards and snakes of Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
Continue reading...Home tweet home: birdhouses designed by artists – in pictures
One of the few positives from lockdown is the number of city dwellers who connected with urban wildlife during the long days at home. New York-based music supervisor Randall Poster is one of them. He loved listening to birdsong in the quiet city so much that he decided to highlight the birds’ plight as their habitats vanish. With producer Rebecca Reagan, he created For the Birds, a multidisciplinary initiative that includes The Birdsong Project, a 20-LP box set of music and poems to enjoy. If you head to Brooklyn Botanic Garden between now and October, there’s also an installation of 33 artist-built birdhouses. Some are species specific, such as Jessica Maffia’s A Home for Flickers and Nina Cooke John’s Oh Robin!, but all reflect the complex, fragile, migratory lives of the birds. “We hope that visitors will feel the joy of creativity and the inspiration of birds and birdsong,” says Poster.
Continue reading...Living in a tree is the only way to save it from pointless destruction | Tim Adams
A man in a hammock is determined to stop Haringey council felling the 120-year-old plane in a row over subsidence
On Wednesday evening, as the light was fading, I stood chatting under a London plane tree to Marcus Carambola, who was about to spend his 50th consecutive night sleeping in a hammock among the tree’s branches, 10m above the pavement. Carambola, barefoot, 33, spoke of the tree as an old friend: “We have got to know each other pretty well,” he said, looking up.
The 120-year-old tree, in Oakfield Road, in Haringey, north London, has become the emblem of a battle between residents, insurers and the local council that has implications for leafy streets across the country.
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