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Rising emissions of nitrous oxide – a key greenhouse gas – from farming are putting world on track to exceed 2C heating

The spread of intensive farming is threatening to blow the world’s chances of meeting the Paris agreement on the climate crisis, as the increasing use of artificial fertiliser and growing populations of livestock are raising the concentration of a key greenhouse gas to levels far beyond those seen naturally.

Nitrous oxide is given off by the overuse of artificial fertilisers, and by organic sources such as animal manure, and has a heating effect 300 times that of carbon dioxide. Levels of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere are now 20% higher than in pre-industrial times, with most of that increase coming from farming.

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Norway’s government plans to increase its climate spending to cover the ballooning cost of compensating heavy industry for indirect EU ETS costs, while campaigners flagged that the country is on course to need to buy a significant number of carbon units from non-ETS sectors.

The meteor shower reaches its peak this week, and will be visible in UK skies, weather permitting.

The near-complete, 67-million-year-old fossil fetches $31.8m ($24.6m) at Christie's in New York.

Several complete skeletons of the unusual two-fingered dinosaurs were unearthed in the Gobi Desert.

Two women have shared the prize for the first time, winning for their work on genome editing.

Australia’s 2020-21 budget included a modest amount for supporting ocean and forest-based carbon activities in the Pacific region, but the government should do more, an industry group said Wednesday.

In the past, although windfarms were located just off the coast of Scotland, manufacturing work was outsourced to Indonesia

Yesterday’s speech to the virtual Conservative party conference was classic Boris: amusing metaphors, whimsical slogans and grand rhetoric. The prime minister has pledged to usher in a “green industrial revolution” that will help us “bounce back greener” from Covid-19.

One of the most significant announcements was the scaling up of the offshore wind sector. The government intends to quadruple offshore wind capacity by 2030, with a promise to power all our kettles, lights and electric cars from clean, “guilt-free” electricity.

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Having effectively dealt with emissions from electricity sources, transport emissions are the next biggest challenge for the City of Newcastle.

The post City of Newcastle has gone wind and solar, now it’s time to look at EVs and charging appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The European Parliament on Tuesday agreed to push for higher European climate ambition with a 60% emissions reduction target for 2030, a tight preliminary vote revealed on Wednesday.

Scientists say it is a clear indication of temperatures rising because of emissions from our society.

Drones, science stations and monitoring sensors are being used to help buy the reef more time.

COVID-19 pandemic has seen the Morrison government abandon long-held dogma on debt and deficits. But on climate and energy, it's singing from the same old songbook. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Evergen has confirmed clean energy investor Providence Asset Group will become a major new shareholder joining current backers AMP Capital and Artesian.

The post Evergen signs major deal with next generation investor Providence Asset Group to accelerate energy revolution appeared first on RenewEconomy.

WA's third largest wind farm, the 180MW Warradarge project, officially opened, using some of the largest turbines deployed in the state.

The post WA’s third-largest wind farm, Warradarge to reach full output by end of October appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The newly created role of Climate Team Lead will oversee the Australian climate team’s work and drive engagement with Australian-listed corporations.

Powerlink to install its own synchronous condensers and offer "system strength" as a service to wind and solar farms in weak areas of the grid.

The post Powerlink to offer syncons, system strength as “service” to wind, solar farms appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Proposed new climate target for Europe would result in the near total elimination of coal fired generation by 2030, experts sat.

The post Europe’s new climate target would mean near-exit from coal in 2030 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Energy efficiency markets volatile as proposed scheme changes and Covid-19 wreak havoc.

The post Rollercoaster ride for energy efficiency markets as Covid wreaks havoc appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Federal budget viewed as a missed opportunity for a clean energy-led recovery, as Morrison chooses roads over renewables.

The post Roads over renewables: Budget seen as missed opportunity for a green recovery appeared first on RenewEconomy.