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Risk is greater in rural areas, according to study of nearly 3 million births over 10 years

Living near active oil and gas wells during pregnancy increases the risk of low-birthweight babies, especially in rural areas, according to the largest study of its kind.

Researchers analysed the records of nearly 3 million births in California to women living within 6.2 miles (10km) of at least one oil or gas well between 2006 and 2015. It is the first such study to look at birth outcomes in rural and urban areas, and to women living near active and inactive oil and gas sites. 

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The president has fomented hate, underplayed coronavirus and unleashed a financial crash. But there is rising resistance

It is claimed that the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, had a prophetic start to his political career: he was accused (a controversial trial found him not guilty) of devising an aborted plan to press for higher wages by detonating bombs in his army barracks. Decades later, he finally seems to have managed to blow something up: his country’s image overseas.

Given his government’s thoroughly irresponsible handling of the pandemic, Brazilians are now seen as a walking biological threat. Since 27 May, they have been banned from entering the US. It is already one of the nations worst hit by Covid-19 and studies indicate that the number of deaths may surpass 125,000 by August. Bolsonaro has dismissed the disease as a ‘little flu’.

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Those who can, should go back to work, Boris Johnson has said. But how will people get to work safely? If we take public transport, will there be enough space to physically distance? If we take the car, will the roads cope with all the extra traffic? Josh Toussaint-Strauss tries to figure out some answers, with the help of Peter Walker and Matthew Taylor

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‘We are seeing the end of coal,’ says analyst as energy source with biggest impact on climate crisis falls for sixth year in a row

Solar, wind and other renewable sources have toppled coal in energy generation in the United States for the first time in over 130 years, with the coronavirus pandemic accelerating a decline in coal that has profound implications for the climate crisis.

Not since wood was the main source of American energy in the 19th century has a renewable resource been used more heavily than coal, but 2019 saw a historic reversal, according to US government figures.

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Growth often doesn’t benefit the people who need it – a green economy could create 1 million jobs

The UK lockdown might be easing, but the path ahead for the economy will be long and difficult. Unemployment this quarter is likely to rise twice as fast as it did following the global financial crisis. Almost half of businesses that have taken up one of the government’s bounce-back loans do not expect to be able to pay it back.

It’s tempting in a crisis to want to do whatever it takes to get economic activity – measured by GDP – back to where it was before. But an overwhelming and singular focus on increasing GDP would be a mistake. GDP figures do not tell us who is benefitting from growth. GDP does not tell us whether environmental resources – and nature – are being dangerously depleted, and does not reflect the value of caring, much of which is performed by women.

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A ruling by the Western Australia state government might force Chevron to buy as many as 10-12 million carbon credits to make up for excess CO2 emissions due to delays in the carbon capture and storage operations at its Gorgon oil and gas project on Barrow Island.

Newcastle-based SwitchDin secures $5m from global PV giant Q-Cells, which will use the Australian technology to offer vertically integrated distributed renewable solutions.

The post Q Cells invests $5m in SwitchDin to tap solar and battery management technology appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Cleaner skies were a silver lining of pandemic but data indicates air quality receding as lockdowns eased

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Air pollution in China has climbed back to pre-pandemic levels, and scientists say Europe may follow suit.

Air pollution causes at least 8m early deaths a year, and cleaner skies were seen as one of the few silver linings of Covid-19. Experts have called for action to help retain the air quality benefits of lockdowns, and measures taken to date have included expanding cycle lanes and space for walking in cities.

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Covid-19 finally having some impact on Australian rooftop solar market, but May installations were still the third highest month on record.

The post Rooftop solar market powers on in Australia, despite Covid-19 blip appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Campaign to End Wildlife Trade has launched a campaign calling on Boris Johnson to support a global trade ban for wildlife at the G20 meeting of world leaders in November, to protect wildlife and help prevent future zoonotic pandemics.

The images below provide examples where animals are traded for food, entertainment, traditional medicine and as exotic pets.

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Did you read about 'dinosaur trees' saved in a secret firefighting mission over summer? Well, these mysterious trees are turning up in backyards in 27 different countries. Heidi Zimmer, Research associate, Southern Cross University Catherine Offord, Senior Principal Research Scientist, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand carbon allowances rose 7.7% in Wednesday trade as some market participants continued to react to this week’s government announcement on market reform, though volumes were tiny amid little available supply.

Draft bill seeks to amend Germany's offshore wind energy target to an impressive 40GW by 2040 and raise its existing 2030 target to 20GW, up from 15GW.

The post Germany targets 40GW of offshore wind by 2040 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Victoria could easily avoid a predicted gas shortfall by investments in reducing demand, and switching to electric appliances, instead of expanding new gas supplies.

The post Electrons, not molecules: How Victoria should dodge gas shortfall appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Small but significant climate step forward for China with reports Beijing has moved to exclude “clean coal” technologies from a list of projects eligible for green bonds.

The post China takes steps to exclude “clean coal” eligibility for green bonds appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Scientists, engineers and tech researchers slam Australia for being off-track to meet its weak emissions targets, saying more must be done.

The post Scientists and engineers say Australia not on track to meet 2030 emissions targets appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator has adjusted down the number of carbon credits it expects to be delivered under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) this year by 5%, according to a quarterly market report released Wednesday.

Rooftop solar installations remained strong in Q1 2020, but the effects of Covid-19 expected to hit both small and large renewables projects.

The post Rooftop solar to top 2GW again in 2020, but big solar and big wind slowing down appeared first on RenewEconomy.

BMW i3 owner shares superbly low running costs for electric vehicle coupled with 28kWh rooftop solar system, after two years of ownership.

The post 94,000kms for just $32: A tale of two years EV and rooftop solar ownership appeared first on RenewEconomy.

UPC and AC Energy launch $777m bid for listed Australian renewables company Infigen Energy, one of the country's most established independent players.

The post UPC and AC make bid for Infigen in $777 million wind and solar pitch appeared first on RenewEconomy.