Iran shuts down for two days because of 'unprecedented heat' 4/8/2023

Iran has announced Wednesday and Thursday this week will be public holidays because of "unprecedented heat" and told the elderly and people with health conditions to stay indoors, Iranian state media reported. ...more

Gaza campaign aims to replace plastic bags with cloth ones 3/8/2023

The "Replace It" campaign in Gaza is distributing bags made of cloth to encourage residents avoid using plastic totes, which can end up in the sea or littering the streets. ...more

PM Sunak defends Britain's climate record 3/8/2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended his government's policies on the environment on Wednesday after campaigners criticised them, saying its record on cutting carbon emissions is better than other major countries. ...more

Euromonitor’s first-ever Global Energy Vulnerability Index highlights international risk of energy shocks 3/8/2023

Market research company Euromonitor International has released its first-ever Global Energy Vulnerability Index, as part of its ‘New Economic Reality: Rising Energy Pressures’ report, revealing individual countries’ exposure to energy shocks. ...more

Just 1% of pathogens released from Earth’s melting ice may wreak havoc 3/8/2023

The release of just 1 per cent of pathogens trapped in the planet’s melting ice could pose a real risk of damage to the Earth’s ecosystems and potentially threaten human health, according to a new study. ...more

Focus: Clothiers bet on 'cooling' fabrics as global temps rise 3/8/2023

Retailers such as Macy's and Columbia Sportswear are expanding their use of "breathable" and "cooling" fabrics in a bid to boost sales as record-high temperatures drive demand for clothing that can help consumers beat the heat. ...more

Earth Overshoot Day lands on August 2 2/8/2023

Global Footprint Network in collaboration with the Republic of Slovenia are marking a critical date for the planet: this year’s Earth Overshoot Day lands on August 2nd. This date is calculated with help of the latest National Footprint and Biocapacity Accounts, plus additional data to estimate countries’ performances all the way up to 2023. ...more

Australia's Great Barrier Reef stays off UNESCO danger list, still under 'serious threat' 2/8/2023

A UNESCO heritage committee on Tuesday stopped short of listing Australia's Great Barrier Reef as a site that is "in danger" but warned the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem remained under "serious threat" from pollution and the warming of oceans. ...more

German supermarket seeks to charge shoppers 'true' environmental cost 2/8/2023

German shoppers, who enjoy some of Europe's cheapest groceries, are being asked this week by discount supermarket Penny to pay extra for some items to cover their "true cost" as it seeks to raise awareness of the environmental price of producing food. ...more

Rhino poaching decreases as South Africa tackles threat 2/8/2023

The number of rhinos killed for their horns in South Africa decreased in the first six months of the year as authorities increased efforts to tackle poaching of the endangered animals. ...more