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Researchers say effects will be felt beyond molluscs as reefs shelter other marine life

Mussels start to lose their grip when exposed to microplastics, research has found, in the latest example of the damaging effects of plastic pollution on marine life.

When blue mussels were exposed to doses of non-biodegradable microplastics over 52 days, they lost about half their power to stick to surfaces. The weakening of their attachment appears to be the result of producing many fewer byssal threads, the thin fibres produced by mussels that enable them to attach to rocks, ropes and other undersea environments.

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Young people more likely to have depression at 18 if exposed to dirtier air at age 12

Children who lived in areas with higher air pollution when younger are significantly more likely to have developed major depression by the age of 18, according to research.

In the first analysis of how common air pollutants affect teenage mental health, researchers found young people were three to four times more likely to have depression at 18 if they had been exposed to dirtier air at age 12. Comparison with earlier work indicates that air pollution is a greater risk factor than physical abuse in raising the risk of teenage depression.

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350.orgAustralia will today premiere a crowdfunded feature-length film – Accelerate.

The post 350.org Australia releases feature-length climate film appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia has made some progress replacing coal with natural gas and renewables in electricity generation yet remains one of the most carbon-intensive OECD countries.

The post Australia needs to intensify efforts to meet its 2030 emissions goal, says OECD appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Yurika may add another 9 big batteries across Queensland after identifying a new market for batteries in supporting local networks.

The post Queensland’s Yurika eyes another 9 big batteries as new market emerges appeared first on RenewEconomy.

New estates in communities such as Mount Barker are being forced to depend on gas. This is imposing un-necessary costs, and pollution.

The post New estates are being forced to install gas pipelines. This is wrong appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Paris agreement target will not be met without changes to policy and threatened species at risk unless funding increased

Australia is not on track to meet its 2030 emissions targets under the Paris agreement and needs to bring its environment policies into line with the “scale of the challenge” the country is facing, one of the world’s pre-eminent economic institutions says.

In a major report on Australia’s environmental performance, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development also finds the status of Australia’s biodiversity is “poor and worsening” and the government’s national threatened species strategy will fail unless it is expanded and funding increased.

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Two new major solar and battery storage projects proposed for South Australia, pushing the state closer to a 100 per cent renewable energy share.

The post Huge solar and battery storage projects proposed for South Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Taronga Zoo has gone carbon neutral

Stationary emissions regulated under the EU ETS fell by 3.1% in 2018 as new renewables capacity displaced coal, resuming a downward trend since 2010 that was interrupted in 2017, a report found on Wednesday.

Energy Insiders returns with an interview with former CEFC boss Oliver Yates, now challenging Josh Frydenberg in the “Menzies” seat of Kooyong, and a wrap of recent events.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: Oliver Yates takes on Josh Frydenberg appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Tritium co-founder James Kennedy joins The Driven podcast to outline how a small group of solar car enthusiasts became world leaders in electric vehicle fast charging stations.

The post The Driven Podcast: Tritium’s James Kennedy on the rapid transition to EV charging appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed a climate-based executive order on Tuesday committing the southwestern US state to cut emissions and uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement via a market-based mechanism and other clean energy measures.

Many of Britain’s native species tackle the cold as caterpillars, but one heads to the African tropics

I’ve disturbed several pristine peacocks hibernating in my log pile in this deep midwinter, but butterflies that endure winter in their adult form are a minority. We may see species including the brimstone, red admiral, small tortoiseshell and comma on a sunny winter’s day.

Most British butterflies tackle winter as caterpillars, superbly camouflaged on bare branches (purple emperor), encased in elegant hibernacula (winter quarters) of withered leaves (white admiral) or even submerged in bogs (swallowtail).

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More lenient standards for coal plants and other industries, along with a lower number of overall participants, will see the forecast compliance unit deficit for large Canadian emitters regulated by the federal Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) nearly halved this year, according to new analysis released Tuesday.

"The water that has gone out of those lakes has been at the call of either the Murray Darling Basin Authority, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, the NSW Environmental Holder, and our obligations under the plan."

European carbon prices climbed back above €23 on Tuesday, clawing back some of Monday’s heavy losses as the energy complex reversed its early declines.

Just one out of a possible 775 development approvals was refused on the basis that it would harm the southern black-throated finch, despite this endangered species being protected by federal law. April Reside, Researcher, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland Eric Vanderduys, Research Projects Officer, CSIRO James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Since China stopped accepting Australia's recyclable plastic, the majority of exported plastic waste is now going to developing nations in South East Asia. Monique Retamal, Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Elsa Dominish, Senior Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Le Xuan Thinh, Director, VNCPC Nguyen, Anh Tuan, Senior researcher Samantha Sharpe, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.