Environment

Bold talk, slow walk as Brazil's Lula sets out to save Amazon

When it comes to what some call his most important job -- saving the Amazon rainforest -- President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been talking the talk, vowing "Brazil is back" in the fight against climate change.. Lula, who marks his 100th day in office Monday, has made a radical break with the environmental policies of far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, vowing to fight for zero deforestation in the Amazon after a surge of destruction the past four years.

Wed, Apr 5, 2023 3 mins read

Environment

'Infecting minds': US book sent to teachers seeks to sow climate doubt

From crops to corals, a book circulated by a controversial US think tank is riddled with misleading claims about established climate science, in what campaigners slam as a bid to "infect" young minds.. But scientists told AFP it is packed with misleading claims, including sections that imply higher carbon dioxide levels and warming are positive for crops and coral reefs, decrease in snow has been negligible, sea-level rise is not accelerating and heatwaves have become less severe. 

Wed, Apr 5, 2023 3 mins read

Environment

Historic drought adds to Argentina's economic woes

Argentina's already fragile economy is now taking a beating from nature, as the worst drought in almost 100 years decimates critical soy, wheat and corn production.. Soy and wheat crops were halved this year, while corn yield was cut by more than a third, according to official projections, slashing Argentina's exports in a sector crucial for the public purse.

Wed, Apr 5, 2023 3 mins read

Environment

AI better than humans at key heart test: study

Artificial intelligence is better than humans at assessing heart ultrasounds, the main test of overall cardiac health, the most rigorous trial yet conducted on the subject found on Wednesday. . The test is the main way to measure how well a heart is functioning.

Wed, Apr 5, 2023 2 mins read

Environment

Raw sewage blights once-idyllic beaches on Isle of Wight

On the Isle of Wight, one of England's most popular seaside holiday destinations since Victorian times, a pipeline stretches out from the shore to pump raw sewage into coastal waters.. The Isle of Wight, a mecca for yachtspeople off England's southern coast, has three entries.

Wed, Apr 5, 2023 3 mins read

Environment

Video probe shows internal damage to Fukushima reactor

Fresh images from inside a crippled reactor at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant revealed heavy damage to its foundation and significant debris, its operator said.. The video showed damaged concrete walls exposing steel rods embedded inside, with debris piled roughly 50 centimetres (20 inches) high.

Wed, Apr 5, 2023 1 mins read

Environment

Indigenous Colombians in standoff over wind farms

In Colombia's far north, wind farm expansion is unsettling the Indigenous Wayuu inhabitants of a semi-desert region earmarked as an El Dorado of renewable energy. . As part of a vast energy transition plan, in which solar and wind energy would represent eight percent of national supply, two wind farms have recently been built on this Caribbean peninsula.

Tue, Apr 4, 2023 3 mins read

Environment

Johnson & Johnson proposes $8.9 bn settlement of talc cancer claims

US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday proposed an $8.9 billion settlement to resolve years-old lawsuits claiming that its talcum powder products caused cancer.. J&J has been facing thousands of lawsuits over talcum powder containing traces of asbestos blamed for causing ovarian cancer.

Tue, Apr 4, 2023 1 mins read

Environment

Easy, tiger: study maps big cats' personalities

Ask any pet owner if their beloved companion has a personality and you'll most often get an emphatic "yes".. Similar studies illuminating the personality and mental abilities of primates have helped humanise them, Arden said.

Tue, Apr 4, 2023 1 mins read

Environment

UK govt unveils new water plan after sewage discharges outcry

The UK government on Tuesday announced its latest plan to better protect England's water supplies, amid a long-running scandal over privatised water firms pumping raw sewage into rivers and onto seashores.. The announcement received a cautious welcome from some but was condemned as insufficient by critics, who noted it was only seven months since the government announced its last beefed-up stance towards polluting water firms. 

Tue, Apr 4, 2023 3 mins read