67 h. ago EU rollback on environmental policy is gaining momentum, warn campaigners

Observes shocked at scale and speed of deregulation drive they say is watering down European Green Deal and lawsThe European Union’s rollback of environment policy is gaining momentum, campaigners have warned, in a deregulation drive that has shocked observers with its scale and speed.EU policymakers have dealt several critical blows to their much-vaunted European Green Deal since the end of 2023, when opinion polls suggested a significant rightward shift before the 2024 parliamentary elections. Environment groups say the pace has picked up under the competition-focused agenda of the new European Commission. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Wildfire warning for London as blaze in Enfield marsh closes M25 lanes amid soaring temperatures

The London Fire Brigade has warned people of the dangers of wildfires during the hot weather

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4 d. ago Scientists sound the alarm for Nullarbor’s fragile limestone caves and unique underground creatures

A massive renewable energy project threatens the treasures that lie beneath, including rare cave animals and a record of ancient life forms, experts warnAustralia news live: latest politics updatesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereOn the Nullarbor plain, the world’s largest hydrogen export hub is being developed, a colossal renewable energy and industrial project comprising up to 3,000 wind turbines and 60m solar modules – which, at 70GW capacity, is larger than the national grid.Beneath it lies an internationally significant limestone cave system, a fragile home to globally unique creatures, and a time capsule of life since the Pliocene. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago Europe’s pledge to spend more on military will hurt climate and social programmes

Nato spending plan overlooks risks to security posed by environmental breakdown and social decay, say economistsEurope risks choosing militarism over social and environmental security, economists have warned, as the head of Nato said all 32 members had agreed to increase weapons spending.Analyses drafted in anticipation of a Nato summit beginning on Tuesday warned of the opportunity cost that higher military spending would pose to the continent’s climate mitigation and social programmes, which are consistently underfunded. Continue reading...

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8 d. ago Experts warn water levels could ‘deteriorate quickly’ despite recent wet weather

Farmers, distilleries and industry urged not to wait until situation reaches “crisis point” to start using water more efficiently

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9 d. ago UK air pollution killing more than 500 people a week, doctors say

Royal College of Physicians also says poor air quality costs country more than £500m a weekAir pollution in the UK is costing more than £500m a week in ill health, NHS care and productivity losses, with 99% of the population breathing in “toxic air”, doctors have said.Dirty air is killing more than 500 people a week, with health harm to almost every organ of the body caused by air pollution, even at low concentrations, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said. Continue reading...

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1 week ago England faces 5bn litre a day water shortage as urgent warning issued

England's public water supply could be short by five billion litres a day by 2055 without urgent action to future-proof resources, the Environment Agency has warned.

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1 week ago England faces ‘huge’ water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, officials warn

Urgent action is needed to cut leaks, curb demand and build new water supply schemes, the Environment Agency warns.

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2 w. ago Met Office issues yellow warning as thunderstorms, heavy rain and floods expected

The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings and alerts for parts of the UK

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2 w. ago Trump’s EPA announces major rollbacks to power plant pollution limits

More than 200 health experts say regulatory proposals will lead to biggest increase in pollution in decadesUS power plants will be allowed to pollute nearby communities and the wider world with more unhealthy air toxins and an unlimited amount of planet-heating gases under new regulatory rollbacks proposed by Donald Trump’s administration, experts warned.The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a plan on Wednesday that would repeal a landmark climate rule that aims to mostly eliminate greenhouse gases from power plants by the 2030s and would, separately, weaken another regulation that restricts power plants’ release of hazardous air pollutants such as mercury. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Scientists warn against attempts to change definition of ‘forever chemicals’

Move to narrow classification of Pfas and weaken regulation is ‘politically and/or economically motivated’A group of 20 internationally renowned scientists have issued a strong warning against attempts to narrow the definition of “forever chemicals” in what they describe as a politically or economically motivated effort to weaken regulation of the potentially harmful chemicals.Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas) are a large group of synthetic chemicals used for their oil-, water- and stain-resistant properties in a range of consumer and industrial products from waterproof clothing and non-stick cookware to firefighting foams and electronics. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago The scientists warning the world about ocean acidification – ‘evil twin’ of the climate crisis

There’s frustration among researchers that falling pH levels in seas around the globe are not being taken seriously enough, and that until the buildup of CO2 is addressed, the consequences for marine life will be devastatingRead more: ‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – studyOn a clear day at Plymouth marina you can see across the harbour out past Drake’s Island – named after the city’s most famous son, Francis Drake – to the Channel. It’s quite often possible to see an abundance of marine vessels, from navy ships and passenger ferries to small fishing boats and yachts. What you might not spot from this distance is a large yellow buoy bobbing up and down in the water about six miles off the coast.This data buoy – L4 – is one of a number belonging to Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), a research centre in Devon dedicated to marine science. On a pleasantly calm May morning, Prof James Fishwick, PML’s head of marine technology and...

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2 w. ago The scientists warning the world about the ‘evil twin’ of the climate crisis affecting our oceans

There’s frustration among researchers that falling pH levels in seas around the globe are not being taken seriously enough, and that until the buildup of CO2 is addressed, the consequences for marine life will be devastatingRead more: ‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – studyOn a clear day at Plymouth marina you can see across the harbour out past Drake’s Island – named after the city’s most famous son, Francis Drake – to the Channel. It’s quite often possible to see an abundance of marine vessels, from navy ships and passenger ferries to small fishing boats and yachts. What you might not spot from this distance is a large yellow buoy bobbing up and down in the water about six miles off the coast.This data buoy – L4 – is one of a number belonging to Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), a research centre in Devon dedicated to marine science. On a pleasantly calm May morning, Prof James Fishwick, PML’s head of marine technology and...

Events

2 w. ago How the ‘evil twin’ of the climate crisis is threatening our oceans

In seas around the world pH levels are falling – and scientists are increasingly frustrated that the problem is not being taken seriously enoughRead more: ‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – studyOn a clear day at Plymouth marina you can see across the harbour out past Drake’s Island – named after the city’s most famous son, Francis Drake – to the Channel. It’s quite often possible to see an abundance of marine vessels, from navy ships and passenger ferries to small fishing boats and yachts. What you might not spot from this distance is a large yellow buoy bobbing up and down in the water about six miles off the coast.This data buoy – L4 – is one of a number belonging to Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), a research centre in Devon dedicated to marine science. On a pleasantly calm May morning, Prof James Fishwick, PML’s head of marine technology and autonomy, is on top of the buoy checking it for weather and other damage. “This...

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4 w. ago Vapers warned not to stockpile ‘fire risk’ disposables before UK ban

The ban, enforced from Sunday, is designed to reduce youth vaping and tackle environmental damageVapers have been warned not to stockpile soon-to-be-banned disposables before Sunday’s outright ban as they “pose a significant fire risk”.The Local Government Association (LGA) said users were stocking up on single-use e-cigarettes while they could, as shops would face fines for selling them after the ban takes effect. Continue reading...

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4 w. ago Major 'vapocalypse' warning as new products threaten disposable vape ban

Single-use vapes will be banned from the shelves in all corner shops and supermarkets from tomorrow - but there are fears it might not be enough to tackle a vapes waste crisis

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4 w. ago Warning over environmental ‘vapocalypse’ despite ban on disposable versions

Campaigners are concerned consumers may notice no difference between single-use vapes and new models flooding the market.

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last month Drought officially declared for millions of Brits as Environment Agency issues warning

Following a period of 'dry weather status', the north-west of England is now officially in drought following weeks of parched conditions which saw reservoir water levels drop

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