Sweden and Finland, Europe's most forested countries, are not doing enough to protect their primary and old-growth forests, falling short of EU commitments, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said in a report Thursday. "The current government has shown a low ambition to strictly protect primary and old-growth forests on private lands," the WWF said.
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An orca named Tahlequah was seen carrying her dead newborn calf in Puget Sound, Seattle. This is the second time she has exhibited such behavior, previously doing so in 2018 for 17 days. This recent loss marks the second of her four documented calves. Another healthy calf has joined her endangered pod of about 70 members.
Wolves have made a strong comeback in Europe thanks to conservation efforts, but their resurgence has sparked conflicts with farmers worried about livestock losses. In response, the European Commission is considering easing protections to permit culling. Conservationists strongly oppose the proposal, highlighting the crucial role wolves play in maintaining biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and combating climate change.
Scientist Inna Birchenko began to cry as she described the smouldering protected forest in Thailand where she was collecting samples from local trees shrouded in wildfire smoke. Birchenko and her colleagues hiked kilometre after kilometre through burned or still-smouldering forest, each footstep stirring up columns of black and grey ash.
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Japan has set new decarbonization targets, aiming to cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2035 and 73 per cent by 2040 from 2013 levels. The updated energy plan boosts renewables to 40-50 per cent by 2040 while reviving nuclear power, targeting 20 per cent of energy supply. However, nuclear expansion faces safety concerns and slow regulatory processes. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is monitoring plant restarts, including at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, amid local opposition.
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France on Thursday urged the United Nations top court to "clarify" international law relating to the fight against climate change, saying judges had a "unique opportunity" to provide a clear legal framework. "France is convinced that these advisory proceedings provide a unique opportunity for the court to contribute to identifying and clarifying international law in regard to the fight against climate change," said Diego Colas, the country's representative.
Sweden and Finland, Europe's most forested countries, are not doing enough to protect their primary and old-growth forests, falling short of EU commitments, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said in a report Thursday. "The current government has shown a low ambition to strictly protect primary and old-growth forests on private lands," the WWF said.
Japan Tuesday pledged to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent in the next decade from 2013 levels but climate campaigners said the target fell short of what was needed under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. On Tuesday Tokyo's environment ministry said the country would slash emissions 60 percent by the 2035 fiscal year.