Environment

The amount of ice circling Antarctica is suddenly plunging from a record high to record lows, baffling scientists. Floating ice off the southern continent steadily increased from 1979 and hit a record high in 2014, but three years later, the annual average extent of Antarctic sea ice hit its lowest mark, wiping out three and a half decades of gains — and then some, a Nasa study of satellite data shows. In recent years, “things have been crazy”, said Mark...

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have followed Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Instagram as part of efforts to raise awareness of environmental campaigners. Harry and Meghan set up the @SussexRoyal account in April and said it would be used to share the work that drives them, and important announcements. credit;PA The couple have previously drawn attention to mental health campaigns and have now followed 15 accounts involved with the environment, including Ms Thunberg who started the School strike...

The tiny shrill carder bee with a high-pitched buzz was discovered on former arable land that has been converted to wildflower-rich grassland.

Residents of costal settlements in Alaska have been 'alarmed' by the speed of melting ice.

Scottish Natural Heritage said the dune system at Menie, Aberdeenshire, has been damaged through the construction of the resort.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove will introduce a new Bill to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty from six months to five years. Prison sentences for the worst animal abusers will be toughened up with a new law. Environment Secretary Michael Gove will introduce a new Bill on Wednesday to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty from six months to five years. The harshest sentences will be for cruelty including dog fighting, abuse of puppies and kittens, or gross neglect of...

Maureen Lipman has criticised fellow star Sir Mark Rylance as “jolly silly” for quitting the Royal Shakespeare Company over BP sponsorship. The Oscar-winner, 59, ended his relationship with the renowned theatre company over financial backing by the oil giant, which has faced increased criticism over environmental issues. In a letter to The Times newspaper, Coronation Street actress Lipman, 73, said that Sir Mark, who was an associate artist with the RSC for 30 years, would be more effective taking action at “grassroots level”  “Resigning...

Nine of the top 10 areas for homeless deaths have seen three times the average cutbacks. Deaths of homeless people have been highest in areas with the biggest council cuts, Labour analysis shows. Nine of the 10 areas with the most homeless deaths have had at least three times the average cuts to council budgets. The highest number of estimated deaths, 90, was in Birmingham, where council cuts per household have hit £939.80 – more than three times the national average...

Disposable plastic cutlery, plates and bowls, straws and PVC packaging are among the eight items that should be eliminated, Wrap said. Disposable plastic cutlery, polystyrene packaging and plastic cotton buds and stirrers are among eight items that should be eliminated by the end of 2020, according to a report. Eight problem plastics to be eliminated by #UKPlasticsPact members before the end of 2020. And that’s just the beginning. We are investigating many more plastics changing how we avoid, make, use,...