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Jessica Auer moved to a small community in Iceland’s eastern fjords to photograph the tourist boom that some see as a blessing, others a curse

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One of the world’s great natural spectacles is under way in the eastern US, stretching from the deep south to upstate New York

At first, the noise pulsing from the drooping elm tree boughs seemed to be coming from the power lines erected nearby. Like a surging electrical current, the sound fizzed to a crescendo on the ears before receding slightly, only to build up again to a loud, vibrating whirr.

It was only on the approach to the tree, as desiccated bodies crunched underfoot and small but sturdy creatures sporting wings and orange eyes suddenly clung on to our calf muscles, that it became apparent what was causing such a huge racket: millions of cicadas had just erupted from the earth.

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I didn’t realise that when I moved to the suburbs I would be pushed into a war with so many felines intent on menacing the birds and my plants

I have been wondering why no one eats the bird seed at the front of the house: my husband has the answer. He recently sent me a picture captioned “This is why”: three muscular cats draped over the wall, inches from my feeders. Seemingly relaxed, they nevertheless project an aura of lazy homicidal menace. I wouldn’t want to walk past them myself, so it’s hardly surprising birds are put off.

I am learning that, when you move to the suburbs, you are allocated a quota of cats. Not your own: just some cats that are now part of your life, like it or not. By my calculations, it’s approximately 1.5 cats per head. We have the front yard gang, plus a sleek black puma-sized one that sits next to my small hens, appraisingly. The vegetable patch also has a cat tenant: a judgmental tabby who gets annoyed when I interrupt his busy schedule of digging up and defecating on my seedlings. Then there’s Derek, 20, confused and bony, often found by the back door emitting the haunting wail of a lost toddler (he’s my favourite).

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Former PM joins the rush to clean energy, investing in a new funding round to back innovative solar business 5B.

The post Former PM Turnbull backs 5B’s modular solar expansion appeared first on RenewEconomy.

ARENA CEO suggests Australia's electricity production could grow ten fold, and all from renewables, while becoming a global clean energy supplier.

The post 1000 per cent renewables for Australia? ARENA boss says that is the goal appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia is focusing its storage options on lithium ion batteries and pumped hydro. It needs to look at other options.

The post We need to go with the flow and invest in different storage technologies appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Arctic region is warming much faster than the rest of the planet. The rapid loss of ice affects the polar jet stream, which influences weather patterns across the northern hemisphere. Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For temperature-sensitive animals, the dense, leafy canopy of willow trees may make them the lesser of two evils in a warming climate. Paul McInerney, Research scientist, CSIRO Tanya Doody, Principle Research Scientist, CSIRO, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

South Australia to extend its virtual power plant scheme to state housing homes that do not have rooftop solar in effort to create a big solar sponge.

The post South Australia to install free Tesla batteries in homes without rooftop solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Some NSW households will be offered the chance to opt-in to buying renewable gas, in a new pilot certification scheme launched by the NSW government.

The post Wastewater biogas to lead NSW “renewable gas” certification scheme appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Solar investor slams Australian policy and regulatory environment as it prepares to sell its two assets and focus on Joe Biden's America.

The post Investor to focus on US because Australia “not conducive” to growing big solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.

China's MingYang Smart Energy launch first floating offshore wind tower and turbine ever built in China, a 5.5MW turbine.

The post China’s MingYang unveils country’s first floating offshore wind turbine appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Infigen Energy complete its rebrand to become Iberdrola Australia, as its readies for a fresh Australian expansion push.

The post Infigen no more: Iberdrola completes branding overhaul after takeover appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Air pollution is one of the most damaging forms of environmental damage, yet the global Covid-19 pandemic showed us how quickly we could clear the air.

The BBC's Justin Rowlatt explains why we are accelerating towards an electric car future.

Angus Taylor inflates Gorgon CCS role in emissions data, as reductions from renewables offset by growth in fossil fuels.

The post Covid noise slips from Australia’s emissions data as Taylor inflates Gorgon role appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The European Commission has applied a cross-sectoral correction factor (CSCF) for industry’s free carbon market allocations through 2025, a move that paves the way for 2021 EUA handouts later this summer.

In 2019, 44 bushwalkers had to be rescued in Tasmania. New research identified who tends to take the most risks, and how to be better prepared for your next hike. Vanessa Adams, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania Jason Byrne, Professor of Human Geography and Planning, University of Tasmania Noelle Nemeth, Master's Research Student, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fall of 3.8% for member states brought emissions to 24% below 1990 levels

The EU’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by nearly 4% in 2019, data from Europe’s environmental watchdog has shown, as countries met online for the first time in UN climate negotiations.

The fall of 3.8% for EU member states in 2019 brought EU emissions to 24% below 1990 levels – or 26% if carbon sinks are taken into account – according to the European Environment Agency.

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