Environment
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Potato plastic, robot cleaners and edible bugs
Does change mainly come from inventions? The shortlist for the James Dyson Award has been announced, celebrating clever inventions from around the world. Many have a strong environmental focus.
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A diesel-driving, meat-eating climate minister
Is she a hypocrite? Britain’s climate minister, Claire Perry, has come under fire for refusing to encourage eco-friendly diets. A meat-eater herself, she also admitted to driving a diesel car.
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Act now! UN warns of climate catastrophe
Can global warming be stopped? In a dramatic new study, scientists claim that humanity has just 12 years to avert catastrophic climate change — they call for immediate and urgent action.
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Four easy(ish) ways to help save the world
How much difference can one person make? It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the mammoth task of rescuing our planet, but there are some simple changes we can all practise.
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How gene-editing could destroy world’s pests
Should all pests be wiped out? New Zealand’s government plans to kill all rats and invasive predators by 2050. Some want to use genetic modification, but others warn of ecological disaster.
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Race for survivors as tsunami death toll soars
Could the disaster in Indonesia have been prevented? On Friday, a devastating tsunami hit the city of Palu just as an official tsunami warning was called off. The death toll is still climbing.
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Dozens dead as lethal storms sweep the globe
How worried should we be about hurricanes? As ocean temperatures continue to rise, a respected US scientist has warned that an unprecedented “Category 6” storm is now inevitable.
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Exposed: how toxic air reduces intelligence
How can we solve the air pollution crisis? A study has linked pollution to “huge” reductions in cognitive ability. Worldwide, dirty air also leads to millions of early deaths every year.
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Climate chain reaction risks hothouse Earth
Can we limit global warming to just 2C? Scientists have warned of catastrophic and “irreversible” climate change if temperatures keep rising. The tipping point may come sooner than we think.
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Indonesia rocked by earthquake catastrophe
Are media reports of natural disasters unfair? At least 98 people have died in a deadly quake in Indonesia. Hundreds of tourists evacuated. Meanwhile, famous faces were caught in the chaos.
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Earth uses a year of resources in seven months
How can we push back Earth Overshoot Day? As of today, humans have used more resources in 2018 than the Earth can renew in a year. Environmental disaster looms if the trend is not reversed.
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Terror as deadly wildfire burns Greek resort
Can we prevent wildfires? At least 70 people are dead after flames tore through Attica, a popular tourist area in Greece. What can be done to stop a tragedy like this happening again?
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The real story behind the viral hunting photo
Does trophy hunting do more good than harm? When an American woman posed with a giraffe she had just killed, the internet exploded in fury. She says that her actions aided conservation.
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Red-hot planet as world’s records are smashed
How much does this heatwave have to do with climate change? It is 33C in Scotland and 41C in Denver. As the globe bakes in hot weather, some are asking if climate change could be to blame.
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Outrage as third Heathrow runway approved
Should Heathrow Airport get a third runway? Last night, after years of delays and squabbling, parliament approved a £14 billion expansion plan. But many are still against the idea.