Climate change

Strains of a "superpower" bacteria that could cause the world's next deadly pandemic have been discovered by scientists in Antarctica. Researchers found that the bacteria have a built-in resistance to antibiotics that could make current treatments useless. The Chilean researchers made the discovery during research into how climate change could affect the spread of bacteria that had been frozen in ice for thousands of years. They warned that climate change means the bacteria will have the potential to spread beyond polar regions, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Researcher Andres Marcoleta of the University of Chile headed the study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment in March. He said mobile DNA fragments contain "superpowers" that evolved to resist extreme conditions and can easily be transferred to other bacteria. Marcoleta said: "We know that the soils of the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the polar areas most impacted by melting ice, host … [Read more...] about How climate change could release world-ending super bacteria

Energy: for the last few weeks, the word has been uncomfortably ubiquitous across our headlines and in our inboxes. Thanks to the new increased price cap, the average household bill will jump to Destination Earth, launched last week, is the EU’s plan for interactive simulations of the planet that will allow everyone from scientists to energy companies to explore the impacts of climate change and how we adapt to them. The €140million project is an ambitious endeavour that has been years in the making, and could usher in a new level of local detail so governments can better prepare for renewable energy schemes and extreme weather events such as So what exactly is it? Early days, that’s what. The digital twins are being built by what is effectively a start-up operation based in Bonn, Germany, and – after it has crunched a lot of numbers – will initially be focused on replicating how extreme weather changes as global average temperatures rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels … [Read more...] about How this virtual Planet Earth might help save the real world from climate change

Children's Parliament opened up by Katie Amess Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The venture, backed by the Daily Express, is also partnering with online education platform Wakelet and technology giant Microsoft. The Children’s Parliament takes the form of a fully-fledged Parliamentary debate, with half of the children representing the Government and the other Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Watch the Children's Parliament 2022 LIVE NOW in the video above Related articles Sir David Amess's daughter becomes Children's Parliament patron David Amess legacy lives on with launch of Children's Parliament Now re-named the Sir David … [Read more...] about WATCH LIVE: Children’s Parliament 2022 tackles the big issues facing Britain

Climate change protesters 'heroes' says Smurthwaite Sign up HERE for science breakthroughs in health, business and more that matter SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The Anthropocene is the name scientists proposed to give to the present epoch in Earth’s history, one that is driven by human impacts like climate change. In their study, theoretical physicist Professor Orfeu Bertolami of the University of Porto and his colleagues modelled the arrival of the Anthropocene as a so-called phase transition. The concept of phase transitions is something that the average person might associate with materials — like, for example, how water changes phase from liquid to solid when it freezes, or from liquid to gas when it evaporates. Other … [Read more...] about Doomsday warning: Earth facing self-inflicted ‘chaos’ with outcome ‘impossible to predict’

Meat and egg prices ’will increase’ says Arnold Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Industry leaders say the UK could become the world leader in cultured meat production thanks to Brexit . Lab-made meat is created by growing animal cells in a bioreactor. EU regulation requires at least three years to approve the technology needed but as the UK is finally unshackled from the bloc, the Government is planning to publish a white paper on the matter this month that would speed up the process. Related articles 'Real world solutions!' EU blasted for unrealistic Brexit demands Remoaner claims 'Boris hates Treasury' as he brands Brexit 'mistake' … [Read more...] about UK to outclass EU with major food revolution in Brexit win as bloc hampered by own rules

The Queen's property empire and the Duke of Westminster are lobbying for an overhaul of listed building rules that would allow them to install heat pumps in swathes of historic properties across London. The Crown Estate and the Duke’s property business Grosvenor Group are pushing for new regulations so it is easier to make green energy upgrades to premises with protected status. As well as the pumps - an alternative to gas boilers which use electricity to draw heat from the ground or air - reform would also pave the way for the installation of double glazing and insulation. At present, these upgrades require listed building consent, which can take eight weeks to complete using a process that varies hugely between different councils and can cost thousands of pounds in consultancy fees. Grosvenor and the Crown Estate own swathes of London around St James, Soho and Regent Street. If existing rules are overhauled, then they will be able to make changes that will affect the … [Read more...] about Royal request could bring heat pumps to London’s historic buildings

Vettel Puts Focus On Climate Change At Miami GP Team boss Toto Wolff has played down Mercedes’ chances of victory at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, citing their lack of historical success around the iconic street circuit. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are yet to win a race this season but showed genuine cause for optimism with improved pace last weekend in Barcelona. However, Monaco has typically been a tricky track for the team, with only one win in the past four grands prix in Monte Carlo, and Wolff has warned they may struggle once more. “Monaco in the past wasn’t our most happy place,” said Wolff. “Maybe because the car was the size of an elephant! I will be curious to see where we are this weekend. My expectations are lower than any other circuit... it’s going to be a learning point at least, to bring us back into the game.” The Mercedes duo are hoping to challenge at least after that improved performance in Barcelona last weekend, where Max Verstappen … [Read more...] about F1 LIVE: Toto Wolff plays down Mercedes’ Monaco GP hopes as Charles Leclerc aims to end curse

The windfall tax announced by the chancellor will be "damaging" for the UK's net zero plans and energy security, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said. Rain Newton-Smith, CBI chief economist, said the tax "sends the wrong signal to the whole sector at the wrong time", pointing to a "backdrop of rising business taxation". Chancellor Rishi Sunak said oil and gas firms will pay a 25% levy on profits , which will be phased out when energy prices return to normal - but companies will get 90% in tax relief for any profits they invest. The funding will be used to help families with soaring energy bills. Cost of living latest: Martin Lewis responds to Rishi Sunak announcement Oil and gas companies are being targeted because they have enjoyed bumper profits as a result of soaring energy prices. Advertisement But Ms Newton-Smith said the government needs to work with businesses on a "genuine" plan to increase investment and "get growth … [Read more...] about Windfall tax ‘damaging’ for net zero plans and energy security, businesses say

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, with his remarks focused on the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This year's conference, which will conclude later on Thursday, took a theme of "History at a Turning Point" due to the conflict. Scholz, who spoke in Davos for the first time as Germany's chancellor, is the only head of state from a G7 country to physically appear at this year's conference. He is also meeting with representatives of the business world on the sidelines in Davos. What did Scholz say? Scholz took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine. "A major nuclear power is behaving as if it has the right to redraw borders," he said. "Putin wants a return to a world order in which might dictates what is right — in which freedom, determination and sovereignty are not for everyone. "We cannot allow Putin to win this war," the chancellor said. "It is a matter of making it clear to … [Read more...] about ‘Putin must not win this war,’ Germany’s Olaf Scholz tells Davos

By David Deans Published 11 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Wales' public spending watchdog has been asked to investigate the Welsh government's purchase of a farm for Green Man music festival. Ministers have been criticised for buying the farm without a business plan from the festival, which says it does not plan to move there. It comes as the Senedd's Tory leader said the the circumstances around the purchase were "shadowy". The Welsh government declined to respond. It follows an exchange at a House of Commons committee where the managing director of the festival Fiona Stewart declined to say whether she was asked to provide a business plan. BBC Wales previously reported that the company intends to run the site as a farm , and expand its health and sustainability work with Cardiff University there. Ministers spend £4.25m on farm for … [Read more...] about Green Man: Watchdog asked to probe farm purchase with £4.25m of taxpayers money