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Erin Priddle defends the record of the Marine Stewardship Council, Sam Laird attacks fishing subsidies, Keith Snell says we will suffocate if phytoplankton are wiped out, and Fiona Carnie says that we all have a duty to help save the planet

George Monbiot wants the world to stop eating fish (Journal, 9 May). However, considering over a billion people rely on fish as part of their diet, many of them in poorer parts of the world, simply cutting fish out – even if it were possible – would deprive millions of people of an essential protein source and vital source of income. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) provides an international benchmark for sustainable fishing that ensures certified fisheries safeguard fish stocks and our oceans.

Monbiot criticises the MSC for certifying unsustainable fisheries. But his examples include a tuna fishery that has nearly eradicated shark finning in its fishery. The steps taken by this certified fishery have helped to secure livelihoods for a suite of small-island developing nations, and they have contributed to the protection of important species, including sharks.

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Closing prices, ranges and volumes for China's regional pilot carbon markets this week.

European nations should form a “coalition of the willing” to expand carbon pricing beyond EU ETS sectors, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday, bolstering the prospects for intergovernmental emissions trade in sectors such as buildings and transport.

The killings wipe out half the vulture population in the Israeli-occupied territory.

We must take advantage of natural climate solutions if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Yet setbacks – such as an incomplete Paris Rulebook – have raised concerns amongst stakeholders, worried that without UN guidance on carbon markets, they cannot confidently scale up the required policies and programs. The Nature Conservancy has released a new guide that highlights why many are already taking action to make use of markets in funding NCS, and how businesses can thoughtfully take similar steps today amidst a developing regulatory landscape.

A buzzard, elephants and yellowbanded sweetlips

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The procedure is a world-first amid efforts to save the species, native to New Zealand.

Europeans are emitting too much carbon and using too much food and timber, a report says.

Greta Thunberg says Dublin decision to follow British MPs’ lead is ‘great news’

Ireland’s parliament has become the second after Britain’s to declare a climate emergency, a decision hailed by the Swedish teenage environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg as “great news”.

An amendment to a parliamentary report declaring a climate emergency and calling on the parliament “to examine how [the Irish government] can improve its response to the issue of biodiversity loss” was accepted without a vote late on Thursday.

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Australia’s opposition Labor party on Friday released its budget plan should it win the May 18 election, with numbers showing that the planned July auction for the Emissions Reduction Fund likely would be cancelled, but with funds set aside to develop new methodologies.

This small herb hadn't been seen on Macquarie Island since it was first recorded in 1983, despite several searches over the next 30 years. Nick Fitzgerald, PhD candidate, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's spot carbon price is lower than overseas markets, but future prices will depend on the level of ambition in emission reduction policies.

The post Australia already has carbon spot price, and it’s cheaper than overseas markets appeared first on RenewEconomy.

South Australia’s coal-fired electricity industry will close its final chapter with the sale of the Port Augusta power station site. A big solar farm may be built there.

The post Port Augusta power station sale to mark final closure of South Australia’s coal appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Climate change is having an impact on British wildlife, say scientists mapping a deadly frog disease.

Researchers plans for new centre to explore refreezing the poles, sucking out CO2 and ocean greening.

Exclusive: industry tried to thwart policy that would increase use of recycled plastic

The trade body for the plastics industry has held last-minute meetings with government officials as part of a lobbying effort to water down a tax on single-use plastics, internal documents have revealed.

Members of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) met Treasury staff this week, the documents state, in their fight to persuade the government to row back on a key aspect of the policy to tackle plastic pollution.

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Coalition of social service organisations calls on political leaders to take the strong climate action needed to protect those worst affected.

The post Welfare lobby calls for zero net emissions target to protect vulnerable appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Ivan Higuearas, the international head of Gransolar, discusses why Australia is a global solar hot-spot, if we get the rules and policies right, and some interesting ideas about battery storage.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: Australia’s place in the global solar market appeared first on RenewEconomy.

sonnenBatteries announced that sonnenBatteries produced in the former Holden factory in South Australia will be shipped to New Zealand from today.

The post Former Holden Factory Produces Solar Batteries for New Zealand appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Queensland mayors join outcry against state government solar farm rule change, warning it threatens a major source of employment for rural communities.

The post Queensland councils say solar rule change will kill regional jobs appeared first on RenewEconomy.