Lebanon engulfed by sand storm, 130 hospitalized 8/9/2015

A suffocating sand storm hit Lebanon Tuesday, leading to 130 cases of asphyxiation or shortness of breath in the northern and eastern parts of the country, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. ...more

France's Hollande says risk climate talks could fail 8/9/2015

French President Francois Hollande warned on Monday that climate change talks in Paris later this year could fail especially if the issue of financing for emerging nations was not resolved. ...more

'Blue bastard': newly recognized fish is blue when adult and 'a bastard to catch' 8/9/2015

The “blue bastard”, an elusive and uniquely combative reef fish from northern Australia, long known only in fishing folklore, has been recognized officially by science. ...more

Climate-smart cities could save the world $22tn, say economists 8/9/2015

Putting cities on a course of smart growth – with expanded public transit, energy-saving buildings, and better waste management - could save as much as $22tn and avoid the equivalent in carbon pollution of India’s entire annual output of greenhouse gasses, according to leading economists. ...more

World loses South Africa-sized forest area in 25 years: FAO 8/9/2015

The world has lost forests the size of South Africa over the past 25 years, a decline of more than 3 percent, although the rate of forest loss has significantly slowed, a report by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Monday. ...more

At U.N. climate talks, growing frustration at 'snail's pace' 7/9/2015

The "snail's pace" of progress on an agreement to combat climate change caused widening unease at U.N. negotiations on Friday, with time fast running out before a Paris summit at which a global accord is due to be reached. ...more

Older than the dinosaurs: Lamprey fish return to UK rivers after 200 years 7/9/2015

An ancient fish blamed for the death of a king and served as a traditional royal dish is returning to parts of Britain where it has been absent for 200 years. ...more

Pacific summit to issue climate message to world 7/9/2015

Vulnerable Pacific island nations will this week send the world an urgent plea for action on climate change at crunch talks in Paris later this year. ...more

New Dubai park runs on solar energy 4/9/2015

The first solar-powered and environmentally friendly park has been launched by Dubai Municipality. ...more

Explosive news: Plants can fight back against TNT pollution - researchers 4/9/2015

Scientists have discovered why TNT is so toxic to plants and intend to use this knowledge to tackle the problem of cleaning up the many sites worldwide contaminated by the commonly used explosive. ...more