Europe fails on electronics recycling goals 31/8/2015

Only a third of Europe's electronic waste is properly recycled, with vast numbers of cell phones, computers and televisions illegally traded or dumped, a study led by the United Nations and INTERPOL said on Sunday. ...more

Vehicular air pollution increases heart attack risk 31/8/2015

Even short term exposure to particulate matter and nitric dioxide (NO2) air pollution, that originate predominantly from the combustion of fossil fuels such as emissions from industrial plants or vehicles, increases risk of severe heart attacks, research has found. ...more

South Africa's Kruger Park still a magnet for rhino poachers 31/8/2015

The poaching of rhinos has risen in South Africa's Kruger National Park this year but is on the decline elsewhere in the country, Environment Minister Edna Molewa said on Sunday. ...more

The Middle East is running out of water. Can we adapt? 28/8/2015

Rising global population and decreasing usable water supplies will cause the world’s demand for water to surge in the next few decades and intensify conflict in many countries, experts warn. ...more

"Smart" solar palm trees power Wi-Fi, phones in Dubai 28/8/2015

A new species of palm tree has started sprouting around Dubai. But instead of producing dates, the fronds of the Smart Palm harness the sun’s energy to allow people to look up city information, access Wi-Fi, and charge their phones, all for free. ...more

China says will report pollution information from Tianjin blast site 28/8/2015

China's Environment Ministry has put in place a 24-hour monitoring system for pollutants from explosions this month at a port and will report accurate and timely data to the public, it said on Friday. ...more

Extreme Arctic sea ice melt forces thousands of walruses ashore in Alaska 28/8/2015

The extreme loss of Arctic sea ice due to climate change is forcing thousands of walruses to crowd ashore on a remote barrier island off Alaska, and threatening their survival. ...more

Californians cut water use 31 percent in July, beating target 28/8/2015

Drought-stricken California cut urban water use statewide by 31.3 percent during July, exceeding a government mandate to reduce consumption by 25 percent for a second consecutive month, the State Water Resources Control Board said on Thursday. ...more

World leaders must 'accelerate' climate talks: UN chief 27/8/2015

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday that countries must "accelerate the rhythm of negotiations" on capping global warming ahead of an international climate conference in Paris in December. ...more

Global sea levels climbed 3 inches since 1992, NASA research shows 27/8/2015

Sea levels worldwide rose an average of nearly 3 inches (8 cm) since 1992, the result of warming waters and melting ice, a panel of NASA scientists said on Wednesday. ...more