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Meet Zali Steggall: the original 'teal' independent hoping to lead a wave of climate-friendly independents to Canberra.

The post Zali Steggall: The independent MP hoping to lead a ‘teal wave’ to Canberra appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Reporting to the Energy and Carbon Supply Lead this role is required to be the Subject Matter Expert in the category of Carbon, maintaining appropriate systems and processes to manage carbon, effecting commercial agreements that optimise carbon offsets and strategies which eliminate carbon emissions.

Reporting to the Energy and Carbon Supply Lead this role is required to provide commercial analytical, financial modelling, research and negotiation support in the categories of Carbon and Energy.

New Zealand’s native wildlife and habitats are at extreme risk, but there is a dangerous disconnect between strategic aspiration and planned action. Matthew Hall, Senior Researcher, Environmental Law Initiative and Visiting Scholar, Faculty of Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Allan Brent, Senior Legal Advisor, Environmental Law Initiative, and Visiting Scholar, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

One of the very first solar farms built in Australia goes into voluntary administration despite having a long term government contract.

The post One of Australia’s first solar farms goes into administration, and will be sold appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Managing the transition to a net-zero emissions economy must be a priority task for the next government. Our strategic and economic success depends on it. Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Invasive mammals have already removed some native bird species from our cities. It’s why urban forest restoration and predator control are crucial to support the ‘ghosts of predation past’. Elizabeth Elliot Noe, Postdoctoral Fellow, Lincoln University, New Zealand Andrew D. Barnes, Senior Lecturer in Community Ecology, University of Waikato Bruce Clarkson, Professor of Restoration Ecology, University of Waikato John Innes, Senior Research - Wildlife Ecology, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Group of 200 Totnes residents trespass and eat sandwiches and Victoria sponge to highlight lack of right to roam

On a beautiful Sunday in May a spot under the trees in an ancient woodland would seem like an idyllic location for a picnic for residents of the Devon town of Totnes.

But when a group of 200 people settled down on the grass to enjoy sandwiches and slices of Victoria sponge next to the publicly funded woodland, they were actually breaking the law.

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Although most researchers are worried about insect decline, we should be wary of the hyperbole of impending doom

In recent years, many of us have come to appreciate the huge importance of insects to our natural ecosystems – from the life-enhancing beauty of butterflies to the vital role that pollinating insects play in our food supply. So it’s hardly surprising there is huge concern over the so-called “insectageddon”.

A recent study adds to an emerging narrative of severe decline and builds on the perception that there were more insects in nature in years gone by – and that things were better in the past. One often-cited memory is that car windshields used to be splattered with insects, and this latest study uses a “splat rate” to conclude that numbers of flying insects have plunged by almost 60% in Britain between 2004 and 2021. But how reliable is this conclusion, and how worried should we be?

Jane Hill is professor of ecology at the University of York and president-elect of the Royal Entomological Society

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PFAS-tainted sewage sludge is used as fertilizer in fields and report finds that about 20m acres of cropland could be contaminated

About 20m acres of cropland in the United States may be contaminated from PFAS-tainted sewage sludge that has been used as fertilizer, a new report estimates.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of about 9,000 compounds used to make products heat-, water- or stain-resistant. Known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally break down, they have been linked to cancer, thyroid disruption, liver problems, birth defects, immunosuppression and more.

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AGL concedes its controversial demerger plans are not consistent with Paris climate goals, and will be costly to shareholders.

The post “Not aligned to Paris:” AGL concedes coal exit plans don’t meet climate goals appeared first on RenewEconomy.

April numbers for wind and solar mark an important step in the transition to a cleaner grid across the US.

The post Wind and solar beat nuclear and coal in US for first time in April appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Strong winds expected to stoke the fire, which has already torn through an area larger than Chicago.

Scientists call for electronic waste to be mined for precious metals as supplies of new materials become ‘unsustainable’.

Efforts to protect these beautiful insects include driving electric tractors and hand-rearing them in a lab.

As the government suppresses its own report, groups are gearing up to fight for better access to the English countryside

High on this government’s list of bad habits is its apparent compulsion to suppress its own reports. The latest was Lord Agnew’s review into the right to roam in England’s countryside. Currently, only 8% of English land and 3% of inland water is accessible to the public; in contrast, Scots are permitted to walk, camp, cycle, swim and kayak on most of their nation’s open spaces.

Agnew’s report was planned to create “a quantum shift in how our society supports people to access and engage with the outdoors”. The Treasury, however, in winding up the project, effectively re-emphasised its minister’s stated belief that “the English countryside is a place of business”.

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Angus Rose starved himself for more than five weeks outside parliament until Green MP Caroline Lucas arranged compromise

The climate hunger striker who starved himself for more than five weeks outside parliament has said he did not expect ministers would ignore his demands and potentially let him die.

Angus Rose had said he would not eat until Greg Hands, the energy minister, arranged for Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientist, to give politicians and, via broadcast, the public, the climate change briefing he gave to Boris Johnson before the Cop26 climate summit.

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A study found PFAS substances in clothing, pillow protectors, bedding and furniture, some labeled ‘environmentally friendly’

Nearly 60% of children’s textiles labeled “waterproof”, “stain-resistant”, or “environmentally friendly” that were tested as part of a new study contained toxic PFAS substances known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment.

Among products checked were clothing, pillow protectors, bedding and furniture.

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Analysis: As the heatwave in India and Pakistan starts to intensify again, Thailand and China are recording strangely cold May days

The final days of April saw further unbearable temperatures recorded in India and Pakistan. Temperatures peaked at 49C in Jacobabad, Pakistan on 30 April, with a high of 47.2C observed in Banda, India. The Indian Meteorological Department confirmed that average temperatures in April were the highest for northern and central parts of the country since records began over 100 years ago.

Heatwaves are a common occurrence at this time of year in India and Pakistan, but scientists believe the intensity, duration and arrival time of the conditions witnessed so far this year are caused by rising global temperatures. Despite a slight respite in the extreme heat over the past few days, temperatures are set to intensify once more this weekend and into next week with maximum temperatures expected to approach 50C in parts of north-west India and Pakistan.

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