Feed aggregator

I have become obsessed with bird matters, especially the antics of Rocky, Barry and co in New York City

Birdwatching has been a Covid success story: sales of feeders have soared and birdwatchers broke a world record for the most birds observed during Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “Global Big Day” in May.

I like watching Small Brown Bird One and Small Brown Bird Two argue over mealworms in my yard until Large Grey Rat appears to settle the squabble, but I am too lazy to make a real hobby of it: it is cold out there. Instead, I watch birdwatchers on Twitter, which brings its own satisfaction. There is a photographer who waits patiently, hand full of seed outstretched, capturing birds when they alight, and I love following my local bird-rescue lady transforming her charges from bedraggled, gloomy clumps of feather to heart-gladdening swooshes of wildness. She also keeps me informed about the shameful, often-unpunished incidents of raptor poisoning and trapping that blight the UK’s lucrative grouse moors.

Continue reading...

Now in its 56th year, the wildlife photographer of the year showcases the world’s best nature photography. The competition is run by the Natural History Museum in London and the exhibition there runs until 4 July 2021.

This year’s competition attracted more than 50,000 entries from professionals and amateurs across the world. Voting for the Lumix people’s choice award is open until 2pm on Tuesday 2 February

Continue reading...

Great Barrier Reef envoy tells party room the government should be seen as leaders on climate action, not ‘reluctant followers’

The Morrison government’s special envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Warren Entsch, has called for the Coalition to adopt a net zero emissions target by 2050, and endorsed the prime minister’s recent signal that Australia could meet the 2030 target without needing to use carryover credits.

During Tuesday’s Coalition party room meeting – the second-last parliamentary gathering for 2020 – Entsch said the government should adopt the net zero target during a contribution where he called for targeted intervention to ensure people in north Queensland were able to access affordable insurance for cyclone events.

Continue reading...

The prime minister's recent climate plan won’t do enough to curb UK emissions, an analysis says.

One of the owners of the newest coal generator in the country has written off its entire investment, and the growth in rooftop solar is largely the cause.

The post Rooftop solar claims its biggest victim yet – Australia’s newest coal generator appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Western Australia seeks to support state's lithium producers, offering a temporary royalty rebate while global prices remain low.

The post Western Australia offers royalty deal to lithium producers facing low prices appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The issuance of new carbon credits in Australia over the past week fell to near zero, while generator EnergyAustralia demonstrated the bulk of voluntary demand remains for international units despite the string growth in the domestic offset market.

New Zealand is one of few countries to enshrine a zero-carbon goal in law, but current climate policies don't keep up with that ambition. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Novelty items, candles, pamper products and pyjamas top the list of unwanted Christmas gifts. So why not choose a better, greener option? Gary Mortimer, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology Jana Bowden, Associate Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Global engineering giant unveils its most powerful onshore wind turbine yet, a 6MW version of its Cypress line of turbines, surpassing the 5.3MW model.

The post GE unveils 6MW onshore wind turbine – its most powerful yet appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Combustion engine and non-pluggable hybrid vehicles will be fined if found parking in electric car parking spots.

The post Victoria petrol and diesel cars to get ICE-y reception in EV parking spots appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Queensland's Stanwell Corp partners with Japanese hydrogen giant Iwatani to kick start work towards Gladstone green hydrogen export terminal.

The post Stanwell partners with Japan’s Iwatani to develop Gladstone green hydrogen export hub appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A powerful telescope in Australia gives a glimpse of three million galaxies in record time.

Key energy market players renew calls for Angus Taylor to increase transparency and consultation with experts in meetings of energy ministers.

The post Transparency lost as Taylor seizes control of now “secret” energy minister forums appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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

Moves by China, along with the election of Joe Biden, make temperature targets more achievable.

Several Australian states are going it alone on the the energy transition, forced to act on renewables after the federal government effectively vacated the policy space.

The post Australia’s states have been forced to go it alone on renewable energy, but it’s a risky strategy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

An area seven times larger than Greater London has been lost in what one activist called a ‘humiliating and shameful’ destruction

A vast expanse of Amazon rainforest seven times larger than Greater London was destroyed over the last year as deforestation surged to a 12-year high under Brazil’s far-right president Jair Bolsonaro.

Figures released by the Brazilian space institute, Inpe, on Monday showed at least 11,088 sq km of rainforest was razed between August 2019 and July this year – the highest figure since 2008.

Continue reading...

Vales Point owners share in another $62 million windfall dividend from ageing coal generator they bought from NSW government for just $1 million.

The post Vales Point owners pocket another $62m dividend from coal generator bought for $1m appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Senior ministers in NSW and the ACT extinguish ideas of following other states in adding an EV tax, a move that is at odds with other jurisdictions around the world.

The post NSW and ACT ministers play it cool on electric car tax appeared first on RenewEconomy.