Tag: Environment
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Submerged: how climate news gets hidden away
February’s global temperatures smashed records for the fifth month in a row, by a higher margin than ever. So when NASA revealed all in a ‘bombshell’ report, why didn’t the media care more?
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Tin bath, coal fire: woman ‘lives’ in 1939
Joanna Francis is such a big fan of 1939 that she has transformed her home and survives without modern conveniences. Society has changed greatly since — but has it been for the better?
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No jail for ‘Heathrow 13’ who held up flights
Activists who oppose the expansion of Heathrow have been spared prison sentences after disrupting flights at the airport last year. But can such action be justified in a democratic society?
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‘Recipe for chaos’ as UK scrubs road markings
Some British councils have begun removing white lines from roads in an attempt to prevent accidents. They believe that people are safer when they take more personal responsibility.
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Human organs grown inside sheep and pigs
A pioneering new procedure could allow scientists to grow human organs in animals’ bodies. It may lead to major medical breakthroughs — but can we justify risking the suffering of animals?
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Paris: how the world was saved in 13 days
A “major leap for mankind” says France. “The best chance we have to save the one planet we have” says the USA. How did we achieve the Paris pact on climate? And just how historic is it?
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Hundreds of thousands march for climate action
Almost 150 world leaders have descended on Paris with the hope of agreeing a new global deal to fight climate change. Should we be optimistic? Or is the problem simply too big?
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SeaWorld to end ‘cruel’ San Diego Shamu Show
SeaWorld has promised to phase out its controversial Shamu Shows at its park in California, in favour of ‘more natural’ displays. But activists say this does not go far enough. Why?
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Industrial farming — ‘worst crime in history’
Each second, 255 animals are slaughtered for the UK meat supply chain. Is this a shocking betrayal of sentient beings, or simply a reasonable way of feeding a nation of carnivores?
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Earth set for warmest years on record — again
The Met Office has warned that 2015 and 2016 could each break the record for the hottest average temperatures across the globe. Something must be done, say scientists. But what?
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Scientists ‘find’ over two trillion new trees
There are likely to be eight times more trees in the world than we previously thought, according to a new study. When they can be so wrong, should we trust in the statistics we read?
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UN plans ambitious goals for world’s future
2015 is a critical year for international development, as the UN meets in September to approve sustainable goals for the future. Is its utopian vision setting the world up for failure?
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Development landmark brings mixed picture
At the turn of the millennium, world leaders pledged to meet eight ‘development goals’ by 2015. Are free trade and globalisation helping the fight against humanity’s biggest problems?
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Mystery worm sheds light on ancient evolution
It has taken scientists 100 years to understand the basic anatomy of a small extinct sea creature, after several scientific mistakes. Can we ever be sure of our scientific knowledge?
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Pope demands protection for ‘precious’ Earth
The worldwide head of the Catholic Church has called for action to preserve the natural world. Is the good of humans the most important reason we should be concerned about the environment?