Carpet shell clams reveal high levels of pollution in several coastal lagoons in Tunisia
Transitional waters, those situated between land and the sea, such as lagoons and estuaries, are more exposed to human activity and these waters are slowly refreshed, meaning that their ecosystems are more vulnerable to pollution. Also, there is evidence for the relationship between a rise in temperature and a greater level of pollution
Coal-burning in Siberia led to climate change 250 million years ago
A team of researchers has provided the first ever direct evidence that extensive coal burning in Siberia is a cause of the Permo-Triassic Extinction, the Earth’s most severe extinction event.
Fuel from Russian Arctic spill reaches large lake, says governor
Diesel fuel from a major spill in Russia’s Arctic has reached a pristine lake which is the basin for a river flowing into the Arctic Ocean, a regional official said on Tuesday, but the mining giant embroiled in the scandal rejected his allegation.
Report: European bathing water quality remains high
The quality of bathing waters in Europe remains high according to a study by the EU environment agency that found that minimum water quality standards were met at 95 percent of the sites monitored across the continent last year.
US ranks 24th in the world on environmental performance
The United States isn’t doing a good job of protecting the environment, according to researchers at Yale and Columbia universities. The U.S. ranks 24th in the 2020 Environmental Performance Index, released Thursday. The poor ranking, putting the United States behind most of Europe, reflects the nation’s growing environmental and sustainability problems
Trump signs order to waive environmental reviews for key projects
Trump signed an executive order Thursday instructing agencies to waive long-standing environmental laws to speed up federal approval for new mines, highways, pipelines and other projects given the current economic emergency. Declaring an economic emergency lets the president invoke a section of federal law allowing “action with significant environmental impact” without observing normal requirements imposed by laws
Putin declares state of emergency after massive fuel leak pollutes river in the Arctic Circle
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a state of emergency in the Siberian city of Norilsk after a massive fuel leak spilled into a river. Environmentalists call it one of the worst ever seen in the Arctic.
Proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska will endanger brown bears – and much more
The world’s most productive salmon fishery and a stronghold for the state’s bears are under threat from an open-pit gold and copper mine.
A major oil pipeline project strikes deep at the heart of Africa
A major pipeline that would carry oil 900 miles across East Africa is moving ahead. International experts warn that the $20 billion project will displace thousands of small farmers and put key wildlife habitat and coastal waters at risk.