Four Gaps in China’s New Environmental Law
On 1 January, a new environmental protection law (EPL) took effect in China. It is the nation’s first attempt to harmonize economic and social development with environmental protection. Yet the law is not enough. For several reasons it will face many challenges.
Program Looks at Potential Coastal Impacts of Fracking
While the coast may not be prime for fracking locations, there are questions about the disposal of the wastewater from fracking and where and how that disposal would take place.
Blacklist Proposed for Fossil Fuels
Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the US cannot burn much of the coal, oil and gas located within their national territories if the world wants to restrain global warming. That’s the conclusion of a new analysis aimed at determining what it will take to keep average global temperatures from rising more than 2 °C this century…
Digging in Beach Sand Linked to Increased Risk of Gastrointestinal Illness
People take certain precautions when they go to the beach. They apply sunscreen to avoid sunburn and stay away from big waves if they are not strong swimmers. But they do not usually worry about getting sick from digging or playing in the sand.
Cargo Ship Stranded Off Isle of Wight’s Coast, UK
Salvage experts have boarded a cargo ship which is stranded in the Solent after it was deliberately run aground. There are 500 tonnes of fuel on board, most of which is marine diesel oil.
Confusion Over Enforcing Smoking Bans on Queensland Beaches
It’s been illegal for years, but actually enforcing smoking bans on Queensland beaches seems a bit of a drag.
Great Barrier Reef at Risk from Rushed Sediment Dumping Plan at Abbot Point
A plan to dump dredged sediment onto a sensitive wetlands area beside the Great Barrier Reef near Abbot Point would lead to much more slurry being pumped into the waters of the reef than officially estimated, a report has warned.
Could New York’s Fracking Ban Have Domino Effect?
New York’s decision to ban fracking for health reasons could reverberate beyond the state, bolstering other efforts to limit the controversial method of drilling for oil and natural gas.
The Largest Vessel the World Has Ever Seen
Painted a brilliant red, Prelude – a staggering 488m long vessel – looms over the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard on Geoje Island in South Korea. Under construction for the energy giant Shell, the dimensions of the vessel are striking in their own right, but also as evidence of the sheer determination of the oil and gas industry to open up new sources of fuel.