The "European Alien Species Information Network" is launched

The European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) aims at increasing the access to data and information on alien species in Europe. EASIN facilitates the exploration of existing alien species information from distributed resources through a network of interoperable web services, following internationally recognized standards and protocols. Read more...

European Union's total greenhouse emissions down 2.5 % in 2011

EEA, September 13, 2012

Greenhouse gas emissions from the European Union (EU) fell by 2.5 %, despite higher coal consumption and a growing gross domestic product (GDP), according to new estimates from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Read more...

Scottish wildcat extinct within months, association says

BBC News, September 13, 2012

Scottish wildcats will be extinct in the wild within months as numbers of pure-bred cats have fallen to about 35 individuals, conservationists warn.

A team put together by the Scottish Wildcat Association (SWA) reviewed 2,000 records of camera trap sightings, eyewitness reports and also road kills. SWA said the analysis suggested there could be 35 wildcats - far fewer than previously thought.

Other research has estimated that there could be less than 400 pure-bred cats. Last month, a report on a project funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) estimated that there were 150 breeding pairs left. Read more...

Auto Production Roars to New Records

Worldwatch Institute, September 13, 2012

Production of passenger vehicles (cars and light trucks) rose from 74.4 million in 2010 to 76.8 million in 2011—and 2012 may bring an all-time high of 80 million or more vehicles, according to new research conducted for our Vital Signs Online service. Global sales of passenger vehicles increased from 75.4 million to 78.6 million over the same period, with a projected 81.8 million in 2012. The major driver of increased production and sales are the so-called emerging economies, especially China. Read more...

GM corn loses its edge against pests

New Scientist, September 13, 2012

You cnat keep a bad pest down. Corn rootworms in the US may have developed a resistence to a protective chemical made by a genetically modified corn. The US Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that it plans to investigate the pest resilience. Read more...

Australia to join EU's emissions trading system

EurActiv., August 29, 2012

Australia will scrap its planned floor price for carbon emissions and will link directly with the European Union's emissions trading system by 2018, Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said today (28 August).

Australia, one of the world's highest per capita emitters of pollutants blamed for causing climate change, imposed a fixed €19.08 per tonne carbon tax on around 300 of its biggest polluting companies in July, covering around 60% of emissions.

The €12.45 floor price was due to underpin the scheme when it moved to a floating emissions trading scheme in July 2015. Read more...