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Quake risk from fracking ‘minimal’
Posted by BBC: Matt McGrath on April 10th, 2013
BBC: New research suggests that fracking is not a significant cause of earthquakes that can be felt on the surface.
UK scientists looked at quakes caused by human activity ranging from mining to oil drilling; only three could be attributed to hydraulic fracturing.
Most fracking events released the same amount of energy as jumping off a ladder, the Durham-based team said.
They argue that the integrity of well bores drilled for fracking is of much greater concern.
The research is published in...
Posted in 
Bangkok breakthroughs gives Cites a bigger stick
Posted by BBC: Matt McGrath on March 15th, 2013
BBC: Amidst the great celebrations of a historic moment in the history of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), when regulations on the trading of several shark species were upheld, one man stood looking a little forlorn.
For Shingo Ota, the spokesman for Japan's negotiating team in the conference hall, the debate and the result made it an unhappy day.
"It was not so pleasant to listen to all the clapping and sometimes screaming on the floor," he told me.
The upgrading...
EU curbs pesticide to save bees
Posted by BBC: Matt McGrath on January 31st, 2013
BBC: The European Commission has proposed that member states restrict the use of certain classes of pesticide that are believed to be harmful to bees.
Sprays that use neonicotinoid chemicals should only be used on crops that are not attractive to the insects they said.
The sale of seeds treated with these chemicals should also be prohibited.
Bayer, one of the companies who make the pesticides, says they are convinced they can be used without harm to bees.
Earlier this month, the European Food...
Antarctic warming concern rises
Posted by BBC: Matt McGrath on December 23rd, 2012
BBC: A new analysis of temperature records indicates that the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet is warming nearly twice as fast as previously thought.
US researchers say they found the first evidence of warming during the southern hemisphere's summer months.
They are worried that the increased melting of ice as a result of warmer temperatures could contribute to sea-level rise.
The study has been published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
The scientists compiled data from records kept at Byrd station,...
Scientists say billions required to meet conservation targets
Posted by BBC: Matt McGrath on October 12th, 2012
BBC: Reducing the risk of extinction for threatened species and establishing protected areas for nature will cost the world over $76bn dollars annually.
Researchers say it is needed to meet globally agreed conservation targets by 2020.
The scientists say the daunting number is just a fifth of what the world spends on soft drinks annually.
And it amounts to just 1% of the value of ecosystems being lost every year, they report in the journal Science.
Back in 2002, governments around the world...
Namibia: Vast African water source found
Posted by BBC: Matt McGrath on July 20th, 2012
BBC: A newly discovered water source in Namibia could have a major impact on development in the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa.
Estimates suggest the aquifer could supply the north of the country for 400 years at current rates of consumption.
Scientists say the water is up to 10,000 years old but is cleaner to drink than many modern sources.
However, there are concerns that unauthorised drilling could threaten the new supply.
Huge resource
For the people of northern Namibia water...