Doctors say Mathew Richards’ life expectancy has been shortened due to exposure to hydrogen sulphide fumesThe high court has ruled the Environment Agency must do more to protect a five-year-old boy from landfill fumes that doctors say are shortening his life expectancy.In a landmark judgment handed down on Thursday, a…
Environment
Fire shuts one of UK’s most important power cables in midst of supply crunch
Coal plants being warmed up as market prices surge to £2,500 per MWh from a norm of £40A major fire has forced the shutdown of one of Britain’s most important power cables importing electricity from France as the UK faces a supply crunch and record high market prices.National Grid was…
How a new app helps fishing boats avoid endangered species
How a new app helps fishing boats avoid endangered species A blue fishing trawler off the coast of Ullapool. The discarding of fish at sea – known as “bycatch” – happens when fish have no commercial value or annual quotas for a commercial species are limited. It is widely regarded…
One-third of the world’s tree species are threatened with extinction – here are five of them
One-third of the world’s tree species are threatened with extinction – here are five of them _Shorea smithiana_, a rainforest tree vulnerable to habitat loss. Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia. David Bartholomew, Author provided One in three of the world’s tree species are at risk of becoming extinct, according to a recent…
Dozens arrested after protests bring M25 traffic to a halt again
Insulate Britain environmental campaigners target London traffic during morning rush-hourMore than 70 environmental protesters have been arrested after they blocked traffic on Britain’s busiest motorway for the second time in three days.Activists from Insulate Britain staged the demonstration at several sections of the M25 in London during the morning rush-hour…
Rural Australia has stories to tell that will interest the world. Here’s how we'll report them | Gabrielle Chan
We have reimagined coverage to bring you local perspectives on larger issues, along with facts, opinion and moments of joyLenore Taylor: Our new rural network will expand Guardian Australia’s reach and tell stories that resonateAustralia’s farmers set for record $70bn year – but labour shortages and Covid rules threaten harvestAgricultural…
What contaminants lurk in the UK’s drinking water? An expert explains
What contaminants lurk in the UK’s drinking water? An expert explains The lead pipes in some old buildings could contaminate drinking water. AnnaER/Pixabay Recently, a school project made an alarming discovery: the presence of five times the recommended maximum amount of lead in water samples taken from 14 schools across…
Five numbers that lay bare the mammoth effort needed to insulate Britain’s homes
Five numbers that lay bare the mammoth effort needed to insulate Britain’s homes I Wei Huang/Shutterstock Environmental activists recently blocked junctions of the M25 – London’s orbital motorway – to protest the glacial pace at which the UK government is tackling carbon emissions and fuel poverty in Britain’s housing stock.…
River Tamar allowed to flood farmland to help wildlife and climate
Project to reverse Victorian-era reclamation creates rich, marshy land that can lock in carbon The herons and little egrets have already begun to hunt in the muddy shallows and the hope is that within a few years, rarer wading birds such as curlew and mammals including otters and harvest mice…
The carbon footprint of a full English breakfast – and how to reduce it
The carbon footprint of a full English breakfast – and how to reduce it One of the most popular UK breakfasts is less than friendly to the environment. Ruckers/Pixabay Over four-fifths of the English population say they enjoy a full English breakfast. But when food production accounts for a quarter…
Meat accounts for nearly 60% of all greenhouse gases from food production, study finds
Production of meat worldwide emits 28 times as much as growing plants, and most crops are raised to feed animals bound for slaughterThe global production of food is responsible for a third of all planet-heating gases emitted by human activity, with the use of animals for meat causing twice the…
Migratory birds found to be flying much higher than expected – new research
Migratory birds found to be flying much higher than expected – new research A great snipe in its breeding grounds in Sweden. Åke Lindström, Author provided Every autumn, billions of birds leave their breeding areas when the temperature drops and food gets scarce to spend the winter in more favorable…