Around The Web

Proposed new post-Brexit rules may apply only to animals being sent for slaughter and fattening, not breeding stock

The export of tens of millions of chicks every year from the UK may not fall under a promised “ban” on live exports, as the majority of the trade is for breeding stock.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told the Guardian that the new rules would include poultry, but specified that they would be applied to animals being sent abroad for slaughter. A spokesperson said: “The government has committed to ending excessively long journeys for live animals, including poultry, going for slaughter and fattening. We will shortly launch a public consultation outlining our plans to improve animal welfare in transport, and encourage as many people as possible to share their views to help shape future policy.”

Continue reading...

Saint-Louis, the old colonial capital of Senegal, faces a flooding threat that has already seen entire villages lost to the Atlantic

Ameth Diagne points to a single tree submerged in the ocean. It is barely visible from the patch of land where he is standing, 50 metres away. The few branches emerging from the water mark the place where he proposed to his wife 35 years earlier.

It used to be the town square of Doun Baba Dieye, a vibrant fishing community on the outskirts of Saint-Louis in northern Senegal. The village has been wiped off the map, with only the tree and crumbling walls of an abandoned school remaining as testament to its existence. Everything else is 1.5 metres under water.

Continue reading...

Report by royal colleges highlights impact of poor air quality on children’s health

Medical experts are calling for councils to be given new powers to tackle indoor air pollution amid mounting evidence it is threatening the health of children in schools, nurseries and homes across the UK.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the Royal College of Physicians want local authorities to be able to compel schools and other public buildings with poor air quality to make urgent improvements.

Continue reading...

Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "doomsday glacier", is reported to be melting quicker than previously thought - scientists are now trying to find out why.

The bus company faced a boycott from opponents of the Carmichael coalmine after signing a contract with a firm building a railway for the project

The bus company Greyhound Australia has ruled out any extension of work on the controversial Adani coal project after a backlash from climate change campaigners.

On Sunday the SchoolStrike4Climate group launched a campaign to boycott travel with the company until it publicly ruled out working on the mine.

Continue reading...

Enel X to lead trial to encourage businesses to switch on rarely-used emergency diesel generators at times of high demand, earning revenue and clipping peaks.

The post South Australia looks to back-up diesel generators to clip demand peaks appeared first on RenewEconomy.

New report reminds us that new technologies are creating fundamental changes in the way the grid is and will operate, and the way people should think about electricity.

The post Networks push innovation as EVs, solar and batteries “tip system on its head” appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Solar farms are facing significant headwinds in Australia's messy grid.

The post How good is solar farming? appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Solar scientists say modern techniques allow for dramatic cuts in solar cell thickness, and deliver another significant reduction in solar costs.

The post MIT research team say “skinny” solar cells could unlock solar energy boom appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Batteries came up with some interesting bidding strategies in 2019. Plus, new challenges for solar and wind farms.

The post How Australia’s big batteries played the market in 2019 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Having set multiple ambitious targets to cut emissions and transform its energy system, the state of California must now deliver.

The post California faces up to its daunting renewable and climate targets appeared first on RenewEconomy.

As the Australian Renewable Energy Agency faces a funding cliff, the Australia Institute calls on the Morrison government to extend its funding.

The post Morrison urged to act as ARENA funding about to be exhausted appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The retailer says it can hit "net zero" by 2040 with action on food waste, packaging and water use.

Gardeners, botanists and environmental campaigners share ways to keep your horticultural hobby sustainable

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

Wind and solar resume growth path in Spain, which recorded first days of zero coal power for first time in December.

The post Spain installed 6.4GW of new wind and solar capacity in 2019 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Without an emergency cull of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park, the land cannot recover from the bushfires – and threatened species are at grave risk of being annihilated. Jamie Pittock, Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) will sign deforestation reduction agreements with its remaining 14 countries by the end of November, as the deals viewed as a possible base for international emissions trade begin to stack up.

Vermont Democrats are crafting legislation that would require the state to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) cap-and-invest programme despite Governor Phil Scott’s (R) public opposition to carbon pricing, a legislative source said.

By all means, rescue an injured koala. But by pulling out weeds after the fires, you could also help rescue a whole ecosystem. Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.