From turning out the lights to letting leaves rot, these small steps can create big changes at home or in the wild
‘Half the tree of life’: ecologists’ horror as nature reserves are emptied of insects
Insects are in trouble. Around the world, scientists are reporting catastrophic declines in their numbers, even in nature reserves that are largely protected from human touch. We are also beginning to see huge drops in the populations of other animals – such as birds – that depend on insects as food.
Many of the drivers of those declines are structural, and require strong action by governments to turn around. But there are clear, easy steps that anyone can take to support the insect world. For species under such pressure, any respite is important, and we can create refuges for insects in a world increasingly hostile to their survival. In creating better habitats for insects, you can also reap the benefits: thriving gardens, more songbirds, and a healthier web of life.
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Breaking Waves: Ocean News
06/17/2025 - 02:00
06/17/2025 - 01:00
Datacentres, which do not have to report amount of water used to cool servers, leave Environment Agency with no idea of shortfalls
The artificial intelligence boom means the Environment Agency has no idea how much water England will be short of in future decades, as datacentres do not have to report how much they are using to cool their servers.
England’s public water supply could be short by 5bn litres a day by 2055 without urgent action to future-proof resources, the government environment regulator has warned, with a shortfall of a further 1bn litres a day for farming, energy generation and powering emerging technologies.
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06/17/2025 - 01:00
From peat bogs to ancient trees via abandoned mining towns, these prize-winning images deliver both a stark warning and a message of hope for the future of our planet
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06/17/2025 - 00:00
Extreme events such as floods and droughts are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting and more severe, study says
New data from Nasa has revealed a dramatic rise in the intensity of weather events such as droughts and floods over the past five years.
The study shows that such extreme events are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting and more severe, with last year’s figures reaching twice that of the 2003-2020 average.
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06/16/2025 - 23:33
Board expresses support for offer but deal depends on regulatory approvals and treasurer’s tick-off
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Jim Chalmers may need to make a “captain’s call” on whether to approve the takeover of the Australian oil and gas giant Santos by the investment arm of an Abu Dhabi state-owned entity, according to analysts, amid questions about whether the proposal will boost domestic supplies.
The board of the Adelaide-headquartered oil and gas company has expressed support for the $30bn bid that, if successful, would place a series of strategic assets into foreign-owned hands.
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06/16/2025 - 23:00
Exclusive: Wensum and Tone found to have high concentrations of chemicals that are toxic to aquatic life
Dangerous modern pesticides used in agriculture and pet flea treatment have been detected for the first time in English rivers, research has found.
Scientists have called for stricter regulation around high-risk farming pesticides and flea treatments for pets because of the deadly effects they have on fish and other aquatic life when they make their way into rivers.
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06/16/2025 - 18:01
US agency had pledged almost $30m over five years to Hope Through Action initiative, which was launched in 2023
The US government funding cuts will hit a chimpanzee conservation project nurtured by the primatologist Jane Goodall.
USAID has been subjected to swingeing cuts under Donald Trump, with global effects that are still unfolding. Now it has emerged that the agency will withdraw from the Hope Through Action project managed by the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI). USAID had pledged $29.5m (£22m) over five years to the project, which was designed to protect endangered chimpanzees and their habitats in western Tanzania.
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06/16/2025 - 12:16
Bill that aims to reduce plastic packaging by 30% in 12 years faces staunch opposition by some business interests
The oil and petrochemical lobby is attempting to fend off a New York state proposal to slash plastic waste by arguing that it will disproportionately burden people of color, advocates and assembly sources say, despite widespread evidence that the plastic supply chain poses serious health risks to Black and brown communities.
In New York state, advocates are fighting to pass a wide-ranging bill to reduce plastic packaging by 30% in 12 years while dramatically boosting recycling rates and phasing certain toxic compounds out of packaging. The packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure bill would place a fee on large businesses that distribute plastic packaging, with revenue benefiting taxpayers – a scheme called extended producer responsibility.
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06/16/2025 - 09:00
Nearly 13 years after Hurricane Sandy flooded lower Manhattan, the first section of East River Park, designed to withstand storm surges, opens
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06/16/2025 - 08:24
Nature and farmers’ groups cautiously welcome spending review as there were fears Treasury wanted bigger cuts
Labour is cutting the farming budget in England by £100m a year, spending review figures show.
Despite the decrease, the budget has been cautiously welcomed by nature and farming groups, as there were fears the Treasury had wanted to reduce the funding further.
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