Environment

Thawing of permafrost to be ‘major factor’ in global warming, warns UN report

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A scientist (bottom right) standing in front of an ice-rich permafrost exposure on the coast of Herschel Island in Yukon Territory, Canada.

New Haven Company Will Pay Penalty for Hazardous Waste Violations

A New Haven, Conn. company that makes door hardware has agreed to pay $39,705 to settle EPA’s claims that it violated state and federal hazardous waste laws.

Climate change is now reality; Doha talks must spark clean energy revolution

As governments meet for climate talks in Doha, Greenpeace warned on Monday that they must wake up to the reality that climate change is already gripping the planet and take urgent action to avoid catastrophic global warming.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Underfunding leaves poor unable to adapt

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Poor countries have little to hope for

School Bus Company to Implement Anti-Idling Program, Pay Penalties for Idling Violations in Conn. and R.I.

To settle EPA’s claims of excessive diesel idling in Connecticut and Rhode Island, a family of bus companies will commit to reduce idling from its school bus fleet of 7,500 buses operating in 16 states.

Following Japan visit, UN expert stresses need for monitoring effects of nuclear radiation on people

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A liquid storage tank stands twisted at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Parliament closes loopholes in shark finning ban

MEPs removed exceptions to the EU ban on "shark finning" - i.e. cutting off fins and dumping carcasses at sea - in a vote on last Thursday. These exceptions required fishermen to keep carcases on board, but they made the ban difficult to enforce, as by allowing boats to land fins and bodies at different ports, they made it hard to match fin and carcass counts.

The ban, in place since 2003, prohibited removing shark fins on board vessels. Thursday's vote removes the exceptions, which took the form of special permits to remove fins at sea. Sharks must henceforth be landed with their fins "naturally attached". The resolution was adopted with 566 votes in favour, 47 against and 16 abstentions.

9.6 Million Acres Protected as Critical Habitat for Northern Spotted Owls

Decision reverses controversial Bush Administration cuts to habitat

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Northern spotted owl.

As forecast, unsettled weather continues across the UK, with more heavy rain and strong winds expected to affect many areas at times over the next few days.

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Poaching still biggest threat to recovery of world’s tiger populations

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Amur or Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) on iced lake.