Plastic Bag Purchases Drop 90% at Major England Retailers After Bag Fee Is Introduced
02 August 2019
Popular
Shoppers push shopping carts towards a Sainsbury's supermarket on April 29, 2018 in London, England. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images
Charging grocery shoppers a small fee for plastic bags works.
<p>At least that's what the UK government has found. Since it introduced a five-pence fee for <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/plastics" target="_self">plastic</a> shopping bags in 2015, plastic bag sales at England's seven biggest retailers have fallen 90 percent, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/08/01/747238169/plastic-bag-sales-fell-by-90-at-englands-large-retailers-in-past-4-years" target="_blank">NPR reported</a>.</p>
<p>"No one wants to see the devastating impact plastic waste is having on our precious <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/wildlife" target="_self">wildlife</a>," UK Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said as her agency <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plastic-bag-sales-down-90-since-introduction-of-5p-charge" target="_blank">released the findings Wednesday</a>. "Today's figures are a powerful demonstration that we are collectively calling time on being a throwaway society."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PlasticBag?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PlasticBag</a> charge is working. 🛍️<br><br>490 million fewer single-use <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/plastic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#plastic</a> bags were sold by major supermarkets last year. That’s less plastic harming our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/environment?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#environment</a>. <br><br>Join us and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PassOnPlastic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PassOnPlastic</a><br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/gk8txyuHpL">https://t.co/gk8txyuHpL</a> <a href="https://t.co/4g5sf76HmJ">pic.twitter.com/4g5sf76HmJ</a></p>— Defra UK (@DefraGovUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefraGovUK/status/1156510237488242688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p>The data comes from Asda, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, The Co-operative Group, Tesco and Waitrose. Together, the seven stores sold about half as many bags during 2018 - 2019 as they did the year before, a drop from one billion to 549 million, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49185007" target="_blank">BBC News</a>. Across all major English stores, bag sales fell by 37 percent between this year and last, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/31/shoppers-use-of-plastic-bags-in-england-continues-to-fall" target="_blank">The Guardian reported</a>.</p><p>English shoppers now use 10 bags a year on average, a far cry from the 140 bags they used in 2014, the year before the fee was introduced. The 2015 law required stores with 250 or more employees to charge customers the equivalent of around 6 U.S. cents per plastic bag, NPR explained. Smaller stores can opt in if they choose. Similar bag fees in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales apply to all stores regardless of size, BBC News said.</p><p>Maddy Haughton-Boakes of the <a href="https://t.co/miAjnQnM1b?amp=1" target="_blank">Campaign to Protect Rural England</a> celebrated the news, but said England could go further.</p><p>"The continued reduction in plastic bag use in our supermarkets is yet more evidence of the huge impact that a small financial incentive can have," Haughton-Boakes said, as The Guardian reported. "Theresa Villiers must now build on this success by rolling it out to all small shops. There is absolutely no reason the charge shouldn't be applied to all bags, paper as well as plastic, to bring an end to the use of these single-use items altogether."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sales of single-use bags by big supermarkets have fallen 90% since the 5p charge was introduced 🙌 - more evidence of the power of financial incentives.<br><br>Now we need to roll the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bagcharge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bagcharge</a> out to smaller shops to further reduce <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/singleuseplastic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#singleuseplastic</a>. <a href="https://t.co/VN7UbiWYBr">https://t.co/VN7UbiWYBr</a></p>— CPRE (@CPRE) <a href="https://twitter.com/CPRE/status/1156566943446589442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p>Bag fees like the UK's tend to be better for the environment than outright bans, University of Sydney economist Rebecca Taylor told NPR earlier this year. That's because bans force people who reuse plastic grocery bags for trash to go out and buy heavier bags.</p><p>"What I found was that sales of garbage bags actually skyrocketed after plastic grocery bags were banned," Taylor said.</p><p>The bag fee is only one of several actions taken by the UK government in recent years to reduce <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/plastic-pollution" target="_self">plastic pollution</a>. A ban on <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/microbeads-ban-uk-2523906473.html" target="_self">products using microbeads came into force in 2018</a> and <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/england-plastic-straw-ban-2637772983.html" target="_self">another</a> on single-use plastics like straws and stirrers was announced for England in May. It will go into force in 2020.</p><p>Approximately <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/8-million-metric-tons-of-plastic-dumped-into-worlds-oceans-each-year-1882012563.html" target="_self">eight million metric tons</a> of plastic enter the world's <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/oceans" target="_self">oceans</a> each year, and the amount of ocean plastic will increase threefold in the next ten years if nothing is done, according to UK government scientists. Current levels of plastic pollution kill one million birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals annually.</p>
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England Region to Place UN Accredited Climate Crisis Teacher in Every State School
31 July 2019
Climate
skynesher / E+ / Getty Images
The newly elected mayor of England's northernmost region wants to put a UN-accredited climate change teacher in every state funded primary and secondary school, making his region the first in the world to do so, as the London Economic reported.
<p>Jamie Driscoll, a Labour-party politician, declared a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-crisis" rel="noopener noreferrer">climate emergency</a> on his first day in office after he was elected to be the first mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority in May. Since then has pushed to make sure environmental education is taught at every school in his region, which includes Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside in the northeastern corner of the country. </p>
<p>Each state-funded school in the combined authority area will have the opportunity to train one member of staff to teach lessons on global warming and the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-crisis" target="_blank">climate crisis</a>, as a UN accredited climate change teacher, meeting an important UN benchmark for sustainable development, according to the <a href="https://www.northoftyne-ca.gov.uk/news/2019/7/30/world-first-for-north-of-tyne-metro-mayor" target="_blank">North of Tyne Combined Authority's official website</a>.</p><p>"We have partnered with the creators of the eduCCate Global UN CC Teacher Academy, to make sure every school in the North of Tyne has access to a fully-funded teacher training program to get a UN accredited climate change teacher," said Driscoll in a statement on the <a href="https://www.northoftyne-ca.gov.uk/news/2019/7/30/world-first-for-north-of-tyne-metro-mayor" target="_blank">region's website</a>. "This is our opportunity to be the first region in the world to meet this UN Sustainable Development Goal. It's also a manifest commitment to give every child a world-class environmental education, and to make such progress so soon is fantastic."</p><p>The course training takes 15-20 hours for teachers to complete. It's online and delves into climate change science, adaptation planning, health, forests, climate change finance and international negotiations, as the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/jul/30/north-of-tyne-mayor-signs-schools-up-for-climate-training" target="_blank">Guardian</a> reported.</p><p>"Anyone below the age of 20 is part of the 'climate generation' living all or most of their lives having to deal with climate change," said Angus Mackay, director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, in a <a href="https://www.northoftyne-ca.gov.uk/news/2019/7/30/world-first-for-north-of-tyne-metro-mayor" target="_blank">press release</a>. "The UN Climate Change Teacher Academy is an excellent idea because it will give children an intuitive understanding of the issues and it is solutions based."</p><p>So far, 80 teachers in the UK have been accredited by UN CC:Learn as a certified Climate Change Teacher. Nearly 2,000 more are going through the course and up to 50 teachers a day are signing up accreditation, according to Melanie Harwood of Harwood Education, which has partnered with UN CC:Learn on the accreditation course, according to North of Tyne's <a href="https://www.northoftyne-ca.gov.uk/news/2019/7/30/world-first-for-north-of-tyne-metro-mayor" target="_blank">press release</a>.</p><p>Dr. Meryl Batchelder, a Northumberland middle school teacher and the region's UN Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador, said students will be more aware of climate issues and will have the skillset to think of future green solutions.</p><p>"The Industrial Revolution started in the North of Tyne and now the Green Revolution begins in the North of Tyne," she said in a <a href="https://www.northoftyne-ca.gov.uk/news/2019/7/30/world-first-for-north-of-tyne-metro-mayor" target="_blank">press release</a>.</p>
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More and more homeowners in Raleigh, NC, have embraced renewable energy like solar power. This popular option allows residents to fuel their homes cleanly and effectively, minimizing their home's environmental footprint while lowering their monthly utility bills. What are the best solar companies in Raleigh, NC? We'll show you the top options, plus provide important information on solar panel systems, federal tax credits, and more.
<p>If you're looking to adopt solar energy in Raleigh, North Carolina, one of the first steps in the process is to find the best renewable energy company. Thankfully, there are a number of excellent solar power providers throughout the area. They can provide the expertise and reliable technology you need to upgrade your home and truly take advantage of solar energy systems.</p><h2>Our picks for the best solar energy companies in Raleigh</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><a href="https://www.8msolar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">8M Solar</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncsolarnow.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NC Solar Now</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gosunpro.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunpro Solar</a></li><li><a href="https://blueravensolar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blue Raven Solar</a></li><li><a href="https://renuenergysolutions.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Renu Energy Solutions</a></li><li><a href="https://www.emeraldenergync.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emerald Energy</a></li><li><a href="https://covenantsolar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Covenant Solar Tech</a></li><li><a href="https://yessolarsolutions.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Yes Solar Solutions</a></li><li><a href="https://sundollarenergy.com/about-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sun Dollar Energy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.duke-energy.com/home/products/renewable-energy/nc-shared-solar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Duke Energy</a></li></ul><h2>How we chose the best solar companies in Raleigh</h2><p>In order to create a list of the best solar power installers in Raleigh, North Carolina, we compared each company on a number of important categories. Our picks for Raleigh's best solar energy companies are based on the following:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li><strong>Coverage area. </strong>Some companies offer wider, more consistent coverage areas than others. We sought to include companies that make solar power readily available to both Raleigh and nearby areas like Durham and Cary.</li><li><strong>Services.</strong> We also ranked Raleigh's local solar providers on how many total services they offer. For instance, how much help do they offer in terms of consultation, solar system design, and installation? </li><li><strong>Installation process. </strong>We also evaluated local solar energy providers on the basis of whether they can install your new solar panels. Do they send an installation team to your home, or do you have to contract with a separate installation company?</li><li><strong>Pricing and financing. </strong>As you look for the best solar company in Raleigh, you'll definitely need to think about your budget. We've tried to evaluate companies on the basis of affordability and flexible financing options.</li><li><strong>Panel efficiency. </strong>Solar panels can vary quite a bit in terms of how much sunlight they absorb, and how efficiently they convert that solar energy to a usable AC stream. We've selected local companies that offer exemplary technology with the highest <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-performance-and-efficiency" target="_blank">solar panel energy efficiency</a>.</li><li><strong>Rebates.</strong> Along with flexible financing options, some solar installers make it easy for you to claim clean energy rebates, another useful way to offset your total energy cost.</li><li><strong>Warranty.</strong> When investing in a significant piece of technology, such as a solar panel system, it makes sense to seek some consumer protections. A good warranty can offer ample peace of mind.</li><li><strong>Professional affiliation. </strong>We looked for companies endorsed or certified by leading professional organizations. These include the <a href="https://www.seia.org/about" target="_blank">Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)</a>, the <a href="https://www.nabcep.org/about-us/" target="_blank">North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)</a>, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and more. This is one of the easiest ways to evaluate a solar company's reputation.</li></ul><p>With these factors in mind, we're now ready to take a look at a few of the most highly recommended solar power and renewable energy companies in Raleigh, North Carolina.</p><h2>The best solar energy companies in Raleigh, NC</h2><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwMDY2My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3NTU4Njk2MH0.4uZ3uc3dKy_eV6VkhXe01FTYZygEbPN2vPY52fIj148/img.jpg?width=980" id="6ae05" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c6d86615b9c32f2ec78431ce0441e6c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1200" data-height="721">
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Blend Images - Done Mason / Getty Images</small></p><h3><a href="https://www.8msolar.com/" target="_blank">8M Solar</a><br></h3><p>Based in Wake Forest, 8M Solar is one of the best-rated clean energy companies in North Carolina. Their services are NABCEP-certified, they are SolarEdge and Tesla certified installers, and they are endorsed by Duke Energy. The owners are directly involved in all aspects of solar panel system design to provide hands-on expertise, and their panels come with generous 25-year warranties.</p><p><strong>Why buy: </strong>Simply put, 8M Solar is one of the best companies to choose if you're looking for a straightforward way to go green and decrease monthly utility costs. The company claims that their rates are, on average, 10 percent lower than their competitors. Formidable expertise, best-in-class technology, robust warranties, and affordable pricing make 8M Solar a top choice.</p><h3><a href="https://www.ncsolarnow.com/" target="_blank">NC Solar Now</a></h3><p>Since 2010, NC Solar Now has been a dependable clean energy partner to homeowners throughout the state. Their company is built around a vision for sustainability and ensuring that all families have access to affordable energy. The company is a member of the NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA), the NC Clean Technology Center (NCCTC), is endorsed by Duke Energy, and was chosen as one of the top 20 solar contractors in the US by <a href="https://www.generalcontractors.org/the-best-commercial-solar-contractors-in-the-us/" target="_blank">General Contractor Magazine.</a></p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> NC Solar Now is a great all-around option for anyone looking to embrace the promise of clean solar power. They are locally owned and operated, they offer flexible pricing for both residential and commercial properties, and they can help you take advantage of all available solar incentives and rebates.</p><h3><a href="https://www.gosunpro.com/" target="_blank">Sunpro Solar</a></h3><p>Sunpro is a nationally known and NABCEP-certified company. They offer cost-effective pricing and leading rooftop solar technology that allows you to save big bucks on your home utility bills. SunPro takes a lot of pride in having first-class customer service and their team is also available to help you claim clean energy tax incentives.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> Sunpro is one of the most-trusted solar energy installers in the country, and even ranked #5 on Solar Power World's 2020 list of the Top Residential Solar Installers in the U.S. They handle everything from design to installation, and offer 25-year guarantees on labor and equipment.</p><h3><a href="https://blueravensolar.com/" target="_blank">Blue Raven Solar</a></h3><p>Blue Raven Solar is one of the fastest-growing solar companies in the country, operating in a number of states throughout the Southeast and beyond. They're passionate about helping homeowners save money on their electricity bills, and that's allowed them to become a clean energy provider of choice in the Raleigh-Durham area, as well as Asheville, Charlotte, and Greensboro.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> Blue Raven Solar offers a truly comprehensive solar energy service, including surveying, solar panel system design, installation, and more. The company also offers highly competitive pricing and excellent financing options (including $0 down), and has received rave reviews from their customers as one of the most trusted solar energy companies around.</p><h3><a href="https://renuenergysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Renu Energy Solutions</a></h3><p>Based in Charlotte, Renu Energy Solutions provides dependable solar energy services to homeowners throughout the state. Since 2010, this locally-owned and operated company has been one of the Charlotte area's trusted names in solar energy. They offer free solar assessments, along with plenty of assistance finding flexible financing solutions.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> This is another great example of a local business with world-class solar expertise. Choose them for friendly service, competitive pricing, and high-quality tech. Plus, Renu offers manufacturer's warranties of up to 25 years (depending on the specific solar panels you choose).</p><h3><a href="https://www.emeraldenergync.com/" target="_blank">Emerald Energy</a></h3><p>Emerald Energy is a Raleigh-based contracting company best known for offering design, consulting and installation for solar energy solutions. They offer zero money down and no interest financing on systems, and can help you take advantage of the many solar rebates and incentives that are offered in North Carolina.</p><p><strong>Why buy: </strong>For a fully-licensed local contractor with real clean energy bona fides, Emerald Energy is one of the best companies you'll find. Their in-house system design and installation services can help you enjoy cleaner electricity, energy independence, and lowered utility bills.</p><h3><a href="https://covenantsolar.com/" target="_blank">Covenant Solar Tech</a></h3><p>Covenant Solar Tech is locally owned and operated in Raleigh, North Carolina. They deliver a full spectrum of services, including consultation, design, installation, financing, and beyond. For those exploring solar energy options, they offer free solar estimates, and boast some truly outstanding customer reviews.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> Covenant Solar Tech offers expert installation with friendly, personable customer service. They are one of the best local Raleigh companies in the solar energy game. Their solar energy expertise and experience was also recently enhanced by the company's purchase of Sun Dollar Energy.</p><h3><a href="https://yessolarsolutions.com/" target="_blank">Yes Solar Solutions</a></h3><p>Yes Solar Solutions is a terrific clean energy company located in Cary, NC. Their installers proudly service residents of Raleigh and the surrounding area. The company has been around since 2009, and in that time they've helped more than 1,000 homeowners go solar. They are a certified installer for Tesla solar equipment, offer free assessments and various financing options.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> Yes Solar Solutions is NABCEP accredited and has a long history, an impressive track record, and plenty of ways to help you cut energy costs. Reviews of the company attest to their excellent customer service in helping people go solar.</p><h3><a href="https://sundollarenergy.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Sun Dollar Energy powered by Covenant Solar Tech</a></h3><p>Sun Dollar Energy started a family-owned solar power contractor serving homeowners throughout North Carolina. The small solar company with local roots offered a personalized experience for customers. In January 2021, the company was purchased by Covenant Solar Tech, but will still provide the same reliable service under the Sun Dollar Energy name.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> Sun Dollar Energy powered by Covenant Solar Tech is your best bet for a truly homegrown, local solar energy provider. They offer years of experience and their licensed, NABCEP-certified installers helped them become a leading provider in the area, with positive customer reviews for their easy installation process.</p><h3><a href="https://www.duke-energy.com/Our-Company/Environment/Renewable-Energy/Solar-Energy" target="_blank">Duke Energy</a></h3><p>Duke Energy might not be the first name you think of for this list, but they provide a wide range of solar energy solutions across the Raleigh area. Not only does Duke Energy provide solar rebates worth up to $6,000, they also offer services like <a href="https://www.duke-energy.com/home/products/renewable-energy/generate-your-own" target="_blank">net metering</a> that can help offset your electric bill with the energy from your solar energy system.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> Duke Energy has made some admirable commitments to renewable energy in recent years. With programs like NC <a href="https://www.duke-energy.com/home/products/renewable-energy/nc-shared-solar" target="_blank">Shared Solar</a>, the company allows you to support solar energy generation and development each month even if you can't install solar panels on your own home, making solar energy more accessible.</p><h2>What types of solar energy are available in Raleigh, NC?</h2><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwMDY3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MjEyOTA1MX0.hZ7m-mEyAd_MBxOlVzFtHSuyPbttXtbGtvW1D6wGgh4/img.jpg?width=980" id="f92ca" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="659abb8e87ff463fb88bbe715ccafe0d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1200" data-height="713">
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Buena Vista Images / Getty Images</small></p><p>As you consider your options for solar energy in the Raleigh area, it's important to note that different companies provide varied kinds of access to the sun's energy.<br></p><p>For instance, most of the companies on our list are truly solar installers, which means they can help you upgrade your home with solar panels and batteries, allowing you to directly absorb the sun's rays, convert it to electricity, and use that electricity to power your home.</p><p>But a few companies, like Duke Energy, do something a little different: They essentially allow you to choose a plan where you get solar power straight from Duke's solar energy facilities as part of your home's energy, but also use regular electrical power when necessary.</p><p>Make sure you understand these different models as you seek the right solar power provider for your home.</p><h2>How does solar panel installation work?</h2><p>It is also helpful to know more about the process of having solar panels installed on your home.</p><p>Usually, the process begins with an energy audit. A certified installer will arrive at your home, assess your energy needs, and also evaluate how much sun exposure you get. They will then recommend the number of panels that need to be installed on your roof, as well as the ideal locations for those panels.</p><p>Once installed, these solar panels draw energy from the sun and store it in a battery. This solar power is then converted to AC power, using a component known as an inverter, which can then power all your home appliances and devices.</p><p>If you have any specific questions about the installation process, it's usually best to go straight to your installer. Note that while the initial investment in equipment can be steep, that's usually it in terms of overall solar expense: the sun's energy is free, and you won't need to invest in any further fuel sources.</p><h2>Choose the best rooftop solar company in Raleigh</h2><p>There are countless reasons for Raleigh homeowners to embrace clean energy: it's a great way to minimize your environmental impact; it can lower your household energy expenses; and you can take advantage of the many rebates and tax advantages offered in the state.</p><p>As you consider different players within the solar industry, choose wisely, starting with some of the recommendations we've offered here. These are renewable energy companies that have solid reputations and proven track records of solar energy service.</p><p><em><strong>Josh Hurst </strong></em><em>is a journalist, critic, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. His writing on natural health, nutrition, and supplements has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.</em></p>
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The Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm in the Irish Sea in Wallasey, England. Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
The birthplace of coal power is changing its ways. For the first time since the industrial revolution, the United Kingdom will generate more electricity from clean energy sources like wind, solar and nuclear power rather than from fossil fuel plants, the country's National Grid said Friday, as the BBC reported.
<p>The milestone has been passed through the end of May this year. National Grid said that clean energy had slightly outpaced fossil fuels, 48 percent to 47 percent for coal and gas. The other five percent is chalked up to biomass burning, which has the potential to be carbon-neutral. The transformation reflects the growing unpopularity of coal energy, as the public increases its appetite for wind and solar power, according to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-48711649" target="_blank">BBC</a>.</p><p>The UK has a long and storied history with coal, which was home to the world's first coal-fueled power plant in the 1880s. Coal was the island nation's dominant electricity source for the next century, which led to economic leaps, but also dangerous air quality.</p><p>In a sign of the times, British politicians shunned coal and made the UK the first G7 country to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050. That target compels Britain to invest heavily in low-carbon power and to make drastic reductions in fossil fuel use, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-electricity-mix/clean-power-to-overtake-fossil-fuels-in-britain-in-2019-idUSKCN1TL2ZW" target="_blank">Reuters</a>.</p><p>"The incredible progress that Britain has made in the past 10 years means we can now say 2019 will be the year zero-carbon power beats fossil fuel fired generation for the first time," said John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, as <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-electricity-mix/clean-power-to-overtake-fossil-fuels-in-britain-in-2019-idUSKCN1TL2ZW" target="_blank">Reuters</a> reported.</p><p>Coal's decline has been precipitous. According to data from National Grid, coal generation in the UK has plummeted from 30 percent to 3 percent, while most fossil fuel generated power comes from natural gas. On the flip side of coal, wind power has had a meteoric rise from 1 percent to 19 percent of energy power, as the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-48711649" target="_blank">BBC</a> reported.</p><p>Along the way, several milestones have been reached. In May, Britain set its own modern day record for record levels of solar power for two days and for two weeks where it was <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48473259" target="_blank">completely coal-free</a>. The government plans to phase out the last of its coal-fired plants by 2025.</p><p>"As more and more renewables come onto the system, we're seeing things progress at an astonishing rate," said Fintan Slye, director of the National Grid Electricity System Operator, to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48473259" target="_blank">BBC</a>. "2018 was our greenest year to date, and so far, 2019 looks like it has the potential to beat it."</p><p>Britain's coastlines, in particular, have been ideal for generating clean wind energy. England's northwest coast houses the world's largest offshore wind farm, the Walney Extension, the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-21/clean-power-to-overtake-fossil-fuels-in-britain-in-2019/11234716" target="_blank">Australian Broadcasting Corporation</a> reported.</p><p>To increase its supply of clean energy power, Britain will rely on interconnected systems with its neighbors. An interconnector with France will help Britain tap into France's nuclear power supply and a planned interconnector with Norway will enable Britain to access Norway's <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/hydropower" target="_self">hydropower</a>. It will also allow Britain to export wind power, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-electricity-mix/clean-power-to-overtake-fossil-fuels-in-britain-in-2019-idUSKCN1TL2ZW" target="_blank">Reuters</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">UK Achieves First <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoalFree?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoalFree</a> Week Since <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndustrialRevolution?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndustrialRevolution</a> <a href="https://t.co/nORrpmNymB">https://t.co/nORrpmNymB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_Coal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UK_Coal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/climateprogress?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@climateprogress</a></p>— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) <a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/1127770534740148226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Tree lined street, UK. Richard Newstead / Moment / Getty Images
The UK government will fund the planting of more than 130,000 trees in English towns and cities in the next two years as part of its efforts to fight climate change, The Guardian reported Sunday.
<p>The plan, announced Sunday, will allow individuals, local governments, non-governmental organizations and charities to apply for grants from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund. As a challenge fund, the grants will match what the applicants themselves are able to offer for the planting of trees and continued care during their first three years of life.</p>
<p>"Trees are vital in the fight against climate change, which is why we must go further and faster to increase planting rates," Environment Secretary <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/MichaelGove" target="_blank">Michael Gove</a> said in a statement announcing the £10 million fund, as reported by <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/130000-trees-england-towns-cities-combat-climate-change-planted-a8920556.html" target="_blank">The Independent</a>.</p>
<div id="321a3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="M3OHP11579616258"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1130040441766912000" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">We’ve announced a new £10 million Urban Tree Challenge Fund grant to plant more than 130,000 trees across England’s… https://t.co/gpjXvSKNKB</div> — Defra UK (@Defra UK)<a href="https://twitter.com/DefraGovUK/statuses/1130040441766912000">1558257611.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The initiative is part of the government's pledge to plant one million trees by 2022, <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/urban-tree-challenge-130-000-trees-to-be-planted-across-england-as-part-of-10m-project-11724026" target="_blank">Sky News reported</a>. But this plan focuses specifically on the benefits of urban trees. They can absorb noise, reduce the risk of <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/flooding" target="_self">flooding</a>, and <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/natural-medicine-doctors-prescribing-outdoors-2614316041.html" target="_self">increase mental health and well-being</a>, according to The Guardian.</p><p>"There is an increasing understanding of the role that trees and woodlands play in helping to make our towns and cities better places for people and nature to thrive," England's Community Forests Chair Paul Nolan said, as The Independent reported.</p><p>Applications will be administered by the Forestry Commission, which will assess them based on the social and environmental benefits they will provide. Applications will open this week, the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-delivers-new-10m-fund-to-plant-over-130000-urban-trees" target="_blank">government said</a>.</p><p>"I am delighted the Forestry Commission have been asked to deliver the Urban Tree Challenge Fund," Forestry Commission Chair Sir Harry Studholme told Sky. "The fund is an important part of the work that the Forestry Commission is doing to expand England's tree and woodland cover. It allows us to plant more trees much closer to where people live and work, and where the many benefits of trees make the most difference. We look forward to lots of new planting happening this autumn."</p><p>The fund forms part of the UK government's "Year of Green Action," which is in turn part of its 25- year environment plan designed to provide an environmental legacy to future generations. However, the overall plan <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/brexit-environment-risk-2559682645.html" target="_self">has been criticized</a> by some experts for being short on details and less ambitious than current EU law, a concern as the UK prepares to exit Europe.</p>
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The rare white-letter hairstreak butterfly was spotted in Scotland for the first time since 1884. Ian Kirk / Wikipedia
By Lucy Goodchild van Hilten
A towering elm tree stands 30 meters (approximately 98 feet) tall, somewhere near the border between England and Scotland, defying the fate that so many of its cousins met when Dutch elm disease ravaged the species in the 1970s. One of relatively few elm trees left, it is a haven for wildlife. Look closely and you can see the erratic fluttering of a small brown butterfly, with a W-shaped white streak across its wing.
This butterfly is making history: It's crossed the border into Scotland, where it has settled happily in a native wych elm tree and been sighted in the country for the first time in 133 years. The white-letter hairstreak—Satyrium w-album—has been squeezed slowly out of its habitat over the last 40 years, but now it seems to be getting a helping hand from an unexpected source: climate change.
<p>Although numbers were up slightly in 2017, the white-letter hairstreak isn't doing well in the UK—the population has fallen 93 percent in the last 42 years, <a href="https://tinyurl.com/ycod9rbr" target="_blank">according to the United Kingdom Butterfly Monitoring Scheme</a>, with a 59 percent reduction in the last decade alone.</p><p>This is largely due to severe loss of habitat. Caterpillars feed on elm; when Dutch elm disease spread through the elm population in England in the 1970s and '80s, the caterpillars' source of food—the trees and their leaves—disappeared, and the butterfly declined. As a result, the white-letter hairstreak has made it onto various priority lists of species that need to be conserved. Volunteers across the country have been keeping an eye out for it.</p><p><strong>Return to the Highlands</strong></p><p>It was one such volunteer, butterfly recorder Iain Cowe, who made the exciting new discovery in the summer of 2017, in a field near Paxton, Berwickshire, about 100 meters from the English border.</p><p> "It is not every day that something as special as this is found when out and about on a regular butterfly foray," Cowe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/17/rare-butterfly-white-letter-hairstreak-spotted-in-scotland-for-the-first-time-since-1884?CMP=twt_gu" target="_blank">told The Guardian</a>. "It was a very ragged and worn individual found feeding on ragwort in the grassy edge of an arable field."</p><p>"Iain is indefatigable—he had an eye to look for it, and he came across it by accident," said Paul Kirkland, director of <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/scottish-office" target="_blank">Butterfly Conservation</a> in Scotland. "A couple of other volunteers found some eggs in the autumn, and Iain's been back this year and found caterpillars, so we now have the full life cycle recorded in Scotland."</p><p>The white-letter hairstreak's northward journey is thought to be a response to the warming climate. It's one of about 15 different butterflies heading north; other species spotted for the first time in Scotland include the <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/50-755/small-skipper.html" target="_blank">small</a> and <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/50-1039/essex-skipper.html" target="_blank">Essex skippers</a> and the <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/11908-1195/comma.html" target="_blank">comma butterfly</a>, which moved 220 kilometers (approximately 137 miles) <a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/climate-change-forces-animals-and-plants-to-flee-equator-1-1803290" target="_blank">from central England to Edinburgh in just 20 years</a>.</p><p>"We assume this is related to a warming climate," said Kirkland. "It's hard to prove anything in relation to climate change, but the fact is that, certainly in the UK, Europe and North America, scientists are recording the northward movement of species that were formerly confined to southern areas. We don't know exactly which aspect is important—more sunshine, warmer winters, drier winters—but the core data shows us that many species in the UK are moving northward at different speeds."</p><p>We've seen this evidence for some time: In 2011, a team at the University of York in the UK <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110818142727.htm" target="_blank">analyzed data</a> from previous studies about animal and plant species. They estimated that, on average, species have moved 12.2 meters (approximately 40 feet) higher in altitude and 17.6 kilometers (approximately 11 miles) northward every decade.</p><p>Chris Thomas, a professor of conservation biology at York, led the project. "These changes are equivalent to animals and plants shifting away from the Equator at around 20 cm per hour, for every hour of the day, for every day of the year," <a href="https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2011/research/wildlife-responds/" target="_blank">he commented</a>. "This has been going on for the last 40 years and is set to continue for at least the rest of this century."</p><p><strong>Climate Change: A Double-Edged Sword</strong></p><p>The newly comfortable climate in Scotland opens up a whole new world for the butterfly: The country is full of healthy wych elm trees, which have evaded Dutch elm disease and are still prevalent there. According to Kirkland, this is good news for the white-letter hairstreak."They've only been spotted just over the border, but we're confident that there's so much elm in that area that they'll spread. The upshot is if the white-letter hairstreak can struggle north into Scotland, it'll be a very happy butterfly," he said.</p><p>Even though climate change now appears to be bringing at least one of the butterflies back, it's still bad news. "Although some of us are seeing a short-term benefit, the overall prognosis is pretty gloomy," said Kirkland. Climate change is threatening many species, but it seems to be giving the white-letter hairstreak a boost.</p><p>Species aren't just moving across the border, they're also moving north within Scotland—there is evidence that the northern species of butterfly are suffering due to climate change. Species like the <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/orange-tip" target="_blank">orange-tip</a>, <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/peacock" target="_blank">peacock</a> and <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/679-822/ringlet.html" target="_blank">ringlet</a> have moved further and further north, away from the rising warmth and humidity.</p><p>"It's much harder to prove something's disappearing than appearing, but there are some hints that northern species are retreating northward," Kirkland said.</p><p>But there is hope for other species. Those struggling to survive in England because of intensive agriculture and development might now find a suitable climate—and unspoiled land—in Scotland. For Kirkland, there's one species, in particular, that might do well to move.</p><p>"There's a lovely butterfly called the Duke of Burgundy," he said. "In recent years, it's really been in trouble in England, but I think the climate might be suitable in Scotland now, and there's plenty of habitat here. It won't get here on its own—it's a fussy species, even though it breeds on primrose and pansies."</p><p>Kirkland might be "flying a kite" as he puts it, but it's possible that as the climate continues to change, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/conservation">conservation</a> organizations like his could even have a role in relocating butterflies to give them a helping hand.</p><p><strong>A Boost for Some Means a Bust for Others</strong></p><p>Climate change is also giving some less desirable species a helping hand. In the U.S., the Asian needle ant (<em>Pachycondyla chinensis</em>) is causing mayhem—invading ecosystems, threatening native species and even damaging human health with its potentially deadly sting. In a <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0075438" target="_blank">study in PLOS ONE</a>, researchers from France and Japan modeled the climate in 2020, 2050 and 2080 to work out where the ant could potentially spread to next. Their findings suggest that the ant's habitat could grow by almost 65 percent worldwide.</p><p><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0075438" target="_blank">They wrote</a>: "Our models suggest that the species currently has a far greater potential distribution than its current exotic range, including large parts of the world landmass, including Northeast America, Southeast Asia and Southeast America. ... The results of our study suggest <em>P. chinensis</em> deserves increased attention, especially in the light of on-going climate change."<br></p><p>There's something strange happening in the water, too. The proliferation of "rock snot"—a kind of <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/algae">algae</a>—in eastern Canada was baffling (and angering) the local fishing community, and many thought it was an invasive species brought in by dirty fishing gear. But a <a href="https://tinyurl.com/ycfu7l6w" target="_blank">2014 study revealed</a> that the algae had actually been there for decades, and was just growing more due to the changing climate.</p><p>The blooms, made up of the diatom <em>Didymosphenia geminata</em>, had been undetectable in the 1970s, but were likely there since the 1800s. "We suspect that climate change is favoring this species in several ways," <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/rock-snot-gets-a-boost-from-climate-change/" target="_blank">said the study's lead author Michelle Lavery</a>, currently a Ph.D. candidate in animal behavior at the University of Guelph. For example, warmer air means less ice and therefore less disruption to the flow of water in the rivers; the algal blooms survive better when the water moves less. "Instead of having to start over every summer, they can build on themselves and get bigger and bigger," she explained to Scientific American.</p><p>It's not just about warmer temperatures; climate change is also altering the ocean's pH balance, impacting different species in different ways. We know more acidic waters are <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/02/ocean-acidification-causing-coral-reefs-dissolve" target="_blank">bad news for coral</a>, but the pH is having an indirect impact too, by favoring a predator. </p><p>Adult crown-of-thorns starfish (<em>Acanthaster planci</em>) eat coral—an increase in their number means a decrease in coral. Researchers in Australia wanted to know if the pH of the water affected how much of the coral the young of the starfish eat, determining how many of them survive into their coral-feeding adulthood. In a <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yam78m7f" target="_blank">2017 study</a>, the team grew juvenile crown-of-thorns and their food, coralline algae, at three different pH levels, going down to 7.6, the level expected in the next few decades.</p><p>The results showed that the young starfish ate more in water with a lower pH, possibly because the pH altered the chemical composition and therefore the "taste" of the food. <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yam78m7f" target="_blank">They wrote</a>: "These results indicate that near future acidification will increase the success of early juvenile [starfish] and boost recruitment into the coral-eating life stage."</p><p>There's still a lot we don't yet understand about how climate change will impact ecosystems, and indirect effects like these could be surprising. The <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/6xfyp/" target="_blank">emergence of the field of climate change ecology</a> is bringing many of these issues to light, but we must continue to monitor individual species and mitigate climate change in order to protect ecosystems.</p><p>For now, the white-letter hairstreak is enjoying its new home among Scotland's wych elms, as its cousins are being pushed further and further toward the northern Atlantic coast.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="fd951" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="F131KU1576662118"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1007635894193573888" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">'Fish Fights' Could Erupt as Climate Change Drives Species Across Borders https://t.co/KytZvljuQ6 @foodandwater… https://t.co/rCu90n0tph</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1007635894193573888">1529074092.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<p><em>Lucy Goodchild van Hilten is a writing fellow for <a href="https://independentmediainstitute.org/earth-food-life/" target="_blank">Earth | Food | Life</a>, a project of the Independent Media Institute.</em><br></p><p><em>Republished with permission from our media associate <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/climate-change-is-threatening-many-species-but-one-is-getting-a-boost/" target="_blank">Truthout</a>.</em></p>
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A worker at the New Preston Road fracking site in Northwest England, where fracking is likely to start Saturday. Danny Lawson / PA Images via Getty Images
An anti-fracking campaigner has lost a last-ditch legal effort to stop the first fracking in the UK in seven years, The Guardian reported Friday.
Lancashire resident Robert Dennett had won a temporary injunction last week to stop shale natural gas company Cuadrilla from fracking in a well near Blackpool in northwest England. At a hearing Thursday, his lawyers argued that Lancashire County Council had not adequately planned for an emergency at the site on Preston New Road. But on Friday, a high court judge ruled that the council's planning was adequate and that fracking could go ahead.
<p style="">The decision comes the same week as a <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change-ipcc-report-2610866229.html" target="_self">report</a> from the UN's <a href="http://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC) that says we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent below 2010 levels by 2030 in order to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures. </p><p style="">"Cuadrilla can now carry on regardless, ignoring the urgent warning issued this week by the IPCC about the need to reduce our dependence on <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/fossil-fuels" target="_blank">fossil fuels</a>, but all of the fracking companies need to know that fracking will never get a foothold in the UK because they will meet resistance at every stage of their projects," a spokesperson for <a href="http://frackfreelancashire.org.uk/cms/" target="_blank">Frack Free Lancashire</a> told The Guardian. </p><p style="">The Guardian said the ruling meant that Cuadrilla could begin fracking within hours, but Cuadrilla lawyer Nathalie Lieven told the judge at Thursday's hearing that the timing of the hearing meant they were planning to begin Saturday instead, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-45833774" target="_blank">BBC News reported</a>. </p><p style=""> "[E]very day, it costs Cuadrilla £94,000 to keep all that kit and equipment on site," she told the judge.</p><p style="">Fracking was<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/fracking-to-restart-in-england-2606491244.html" target="_self"> set to restart</a> after the conservative UK government approved two new wells in July and September. It had been halted at the Blackpool site in 2011 because of <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/earthquakes" target="_self">earthquakes</a>, but the government has issued more stringent regulations and wants to try again, citing a need for energy independence.</p><p style="">Opponents, meanwhile, pledged to continue fighting.</p><p style="">"[I'm] obviously disappointed," Dennett told The Guardian after Friday's ruling. "We will continue to be defiant and fight this. We will never give up. We've put too much effort in to throw the towel in."</p><p style="">Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley called the verdict a "real blow" in the wake of the IPCC report and pledged direct action against fracking companies.</p>A <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-change" target="_blank">climate change</a> protest is planned at a farm near the Cuadrilla site later in the month. The protest will also call for the release of four anti-fracking activists who were jailed last month for an action blocking trucks from entering the Cuadrilla site, making them the first environmental protestors to be jailed in the UK in 86 years.<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="c2e8a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="X52ONN1576663337"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1045279681979863040" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">UK Jails First Environmental Activists in 86 Years Over #Fracking Protest @Desmogblog https://t.co/I7xxrP0xH9</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1045279681979863040">1538049071.0</a></blockquote></div>
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Anti-fracking protesters Rich Loizou (L) Richard Roberts and Simon Roscoe-Blevins (R) stand outside Preston Crown Court where they are set to be sentenced for public nuisance on Sept. 25 in Preston, England. Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
Environmental activists were sentenced to prison Wednesday for their anti-fracking demonstrations in northwest England.
Roscoe Blevins, 26, and Richard Roberts, 36, were given 16 months in prison. Richard Loizou, 31, was given 15 months. The three were found guilty of public nuisance offense by a jury in August, The Guardian reported. A fourth protester, Julian Brock, 47, received a 12-month suspended custodial sentence. He pleaded guilty for the same offense at a separate hearing.
<p>
In July 2017, the four men—also known as the <a href="http://frackfreefoursupporters.org/" target="_blank">Frack Free Four</a>—climbed on top of trucks carrying drilling equipment in order to block the convoy from entering a fracking site in Lancashire operated by UK shale gas firm <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/uk-fracking-climate-2473661528.html">Cuadrilla Resources</a>. The men camped on the vehicles for roughly 100 hours between and had supporters aiding them with food, water and blankets.
</p><p>
Judge Robert Latham of Preston Crown Court ruled that the protests "caused costs and disruption" to Cuadrilla "but their other victims were the many members of public who were nothing to do with Cuadrilla," according to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-45652464" target="_blank">BBC</a>. <span></span>
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While the judge noted that environmental matters are to be taken seriously, he believes that the men "provide a risk of re-offending."
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"Each of them remains motivated by unswerving confidence that they are right. Even at their trial they felt justified by their actions," he said. "Given the disruption caused in this case, only immediate custody can achieve sufficient punishment."
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<span></span>The men are likely the first environmental activists in 86 years to receive jail sentences, the Guardian reported. Back in 1932, five men were jailed for their part in the mass trespass of Kinder Scout in Derbyshire over their "right to roam" on private land.
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"This won't break us, we will come out stronger," Blevins said in a statement to <a href="http://www.climatechangenews.com/2018/09/26/uk-jails-first-environmental-protestors-since-1932-anti-fracking-blockade/" target="_blank">Climate Home News</a> after his sentencing. "Some may view us as victims, but we refuse to be victimized by this. The real victims will be future generations suffering preventable disasters caused by <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-change" target="_blank">climate change</a>. Our friends and fellow campaigners outside will continue to fight for a ban on fracking and for a just transition to a renewable and democratically owned energy system."
</p><p>
The drilling site near Preston New Road is at the center of high profile, anti-fracking protests in England. Lancashire police have arrested more than 300 since Cuadrilla started building a fracking pad at the location in January 2017, according to The Guardian.
</p><p>
Fracking is a contentious topic in the UK. Even though it's banned or on hold in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, England's Conservative-led government has advocated for exploration and drilling licenses, as EcoWatch <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/fracking-payments-cuadrilla-2507104112.html" target="_blank">previously mentioned</a>. Controversially, Cuadrilla was allowed to initiate drilling after the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/06/uk-fracking-given-go-ahead-as-lancashire-council-rejection-is-overturned" target="_blank">UK government overruled</a> Lancashire County Council's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/29/fracking-application-cuadrilla-rejected-lancashire-county-council" target="_blank">rejection of two applications</a> from the company to frack in Lancashire.
</p><p>
<span></span>"It's a strange society that massively rewards those responsible for causing more climate change while putting those trying to stop it in jail," <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/" target="_blank">Greenpeace UK</a> executive director John Sauven said Wednesday in an <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/press-releases/anti-fracking-campaigners-deserve-gratitude-not-prison-term/" target="_blank">online</a> statement after the sentencing. "Ministers have changed laws, taken away homeowners' rights and distorted the planning process to make way for the shale industry, yet it's four peaceful protesters that get punished for climbing on a lorry."
</p><p>
"As the world's leading scientists are about to issue their latest warning on the existential threat fossil fuels pose to our living world, these Lancashire protesters deserve our gratitude, not a prison term," Sauven added. "They have done what this government promised to do but is yet to deliver—making sure that we can leave our children and grandchildren a healthier environment than the one we found."
</p><p>
Cuadrilla announced last week it will soon begin fracking following government approval of a second well at its New Preston Road site.
</p><p>
No fracking has taken place in the UK in seven years after fracking by Cuadrilla near Blackpool caused earthquakes in 2011, <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-fracking/cuadrilla-to-start-fracking-in-england-in-weeks-idUKKCN1LZ140" target="_blank">Reuters</a> reported.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="ee7ff" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="IRE1XU1576663786"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1042881244927877121" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">#Fracking to Restart in England Within Weeks https://t.co/qrQIu7ZyU3 #Cuadrilla @FrackAction @FrackFreefamily @Frack_Off</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1042881244927877121">1537477239.0</a></blockquote></div>
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Supermarket Becomes First in UK to Replace Single-Use Plastic Bags With Compostable Alternative
24 September 2018
Business
A Co-op grocery store location in Shoreditch, London. The Co-op Group / CC BY 2.0
Since 2015, all large stores in England have been required by law to charge five pence for single-use plastic bags in an attempt to reduce plastic pollution.
Now, major UK supermarket chain the Co-op is taking that one step further by phasing out plastic bags entirely and replacing them with compostable alternatives, becoming the first supermarket in the UK to do so, The Guardian reported.
<p style="">The Co-op <a href="https://www.co-operative.coop/media/news-releases/co-op-bans-single-use-plastics-and-unveils-compostable-carrier-bags" target="_blank">announced the bag change Saturday</a>, which will replace around 60 million plastic bags with the biodegradable alternatives, which will also cost five pence and can be reused to store <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/food-waste" target="_self">food waste</a> for collection.</p><p style="">The bag replacement is part of a larger commitment to end the use of non-recyclable <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/plastics" target="_self">plastics</a> in Co-op brand products. </p><p>"The price of food wrapped in plastic has become too much to swallow and, from today, the Co-op will phase out any packaging which cannot be reused," Co-op Retail Chief Executive Jo Whitfield said in the company's announcement. </p><p style="">"The first step to remove single-use plastic, will be to launch compostable carrier bags in our stores. They are a simple but ingenious way to provide an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic shopping bags," Whitfield said. </p><p style="">The new bags will be available within weeks in around 1,400 Co-op locations in England, Scotland and Wales where local food waste collection can collect the bags. Eventually, the bags will be available in all 2,600 locations, The Guardian reported. </p><p style="">The Co-op will also seek to make all of its store-brand packaging easy to recycle by 2023 and use at least 50 percent recycled plastic for bottles, trays and pots by 2021. </p><p style="">It will also eliminate black plastic and dark packaging from its store brand products.</p><p style="">Changing the color of darker plastics, which are harder to scan for recycling, was one of the recommendations from a Local Government Association <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/uk-plastic-food-packaging-2593326528.html" target="_self">report in August</a> that found that only a third of plastics put out on the curb in England and Wales could actually be recycled properly. </p><p style="">Supermarket chain<a href="https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/index.htm" target="_blank"> Lidi UK</a> became the first UK retailer to announce a ban on black plastics Friday, saying it would stop using them with fruits and vegetables by the end of the month. It will remove black plastic from its fish, meat and poultry packaging by August of next year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/21/lidl-to-stop-using-black-plastic-fruit-and-vegetable-packaging" target="_blank">The Guardian reported</a>. </p><p style="">"Supermarkets are the place where a lot of the throwaway plastic filling up our homes comes from, so it's good to see more of them are responding to the public's concern by taking action," <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/" target="_blank">Greenpeace UK</a> senior oceans campaigner Louise Edge told The Guardian. "Black plastic is one of the most problematic forms of plastic you can find on supermarket shelves, and Lidl are doing the right thing by phasing it out as quickly as possible."</p>Supermarket <a href="https://www.waitrose.com/" target="_blank">Waitrose & Partners</a> also made a move towards replacing plastic with compostable bags last week when it pledged to remove plastic fruit and vegetable bags and use biodegradable options instead. It will phase out plastic shopping bags entirely by next spring, The Guardian reported <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/sep/15/waitrose-steps-up-action-to-remove-plastic-bags" target="_blank">Sept 15.
</a><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/sep/15/waitrose-steps-up-action-to-remove-plastic-bags" target="_blank"></a><a class="shortcode-media-controls__remove material-icons">delete</a>
</p><div id="95c7c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="PUZK121576663989"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1026966305394581505" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Only a Third of UK's #Plastic Food #Packaging Is #Recyclable https://t.co/PwMchTD7tN @PlasticPollutes @PlasticOceans</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1026966305394581505">1533682821.0</a></blockquote></div>
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100 mph Winds Kill Two in First Named Storm to Hit UK and Ireland This Season
20 September 2018
Climate
An ambulance crashed into a fallen tree from Storm Ali in Newcastle on Sept. 19. Owen Humphreys / PA Images via Getty Images
Storm Ali, the first named storm of the UK storm season, killed two and sent several to the hospital as winds of more than 100 miles per hour walloped Ireland, Scotland and Northern England Wednesday, The Guardian reported.
More than 250,000 homes and businesses in Ireland lost power and 30,000 lost power in southwest Scotland.
<p>High <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/wind" target="_self">wind</a> also delayed flights and suspended train service in Edinburgh and Glasgow. </p><p>A cruise ship in Greenock, Scotland with 500 on board broke free from its moorings and had to be rescued by tug boats, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45572946" target="_blank">BBC News reported</a>. </p><p>The first death occurred Wednesday morning when wind blew a caravan off a cliff in western Ireland. </p><p>"At approximately 7:45 a.m., a report was received that a caravan had blown off the cliff at the above location. A search was carried out at the scene on the beach and after a short time the body of a female in her 50s was recovered," Irish police said in a statement reported by The Guardian.</p><p>Locals identified the woman as Swiss tourist Elvira Ferraii, The Guardian reported.</p><p>The second fatality occurred in Northern Ireland when a tree fell on two men working for Northern Ireland Water in Slieve Gullion Forest Park. One man, in his 20s, died and the other, in his 40s, was injured. </p><p>Another woman in Cheshire County in England was seriously injured when a tree fell on her car. </p><p>A 2017 study found that <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a> is projected to make wind storms in the UK more damaging, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/15/uk-faces-sharp-rise-destructive-wind-storms-global-warming" target="_blank">The Guardian</a> reported at the time. </p><p>Even if warming is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the cost of destruction from wind storms could increase by more than a third in some parts of the UK.</p><p>High winds will increase in all parts of the UK except the South and Southeast, and be especially strong in the midlands, Yorkshire and Northern Ireland as warmer temperatures cause the path of Atlantic storms to shift north. </p><p>Head Gardener of the Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens in Ireland Séamus O'Brien told <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/many-trees-in-storm-fell-because-of-earlier-dry-spell-and-effect-of-climate-change-1.3634876" target="_blank">The Irish Times</a> that he could detect the footprints of climate change in Wednesday's storm. </p><p>O'Brien said that storms were coming from the east instead of the southwest, as they had in the past, and this caused more trees to topple.</p><p>"This is part of the scenario of climate change," he said.</p><p>The total number of trees in Ireland to fall because of Storm Ali has yet to be calculated, but the country has lost many trees to storms during the past 18 months, The Irish Times reported.</p><p>O'Brien said that his botanical garden only lost one tree, while the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin were more impacted.</p>O'Brien said trees were most vulnerable in soggy, wet soil but that <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/drought" target="_self">droughts</a> like the one <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change-europe-heatwave-2590360622.html" target="_blank">Ireland faced this summer</a><p>could also pose a problem, as dry soil made trees "more prone to rocking."</p>
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</p><div id="9e41e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2A8P3B1576663350"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1039710284171096066" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">#BBC Issues First #ClimateChange Reporting Guidelines https://t.co/3yUD5G4t1f @Reportingclimat @Greenpeace @GreenpeaceUK</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1039710284171096066">1536721223.0</a></blockquote></div>
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The Walney Extension. Ørsted UK
The world's largest offshore wind farm opened in the Irish Sea on Thursday, covering an area of 145 square kilometers (55 square miles).
The 659-megawatt Walney Extension, located approximately 19 kilometers (12 miles) off the coast of Cumbria, England, consists of 87 turbines and is capable of generating enough renewable energy to power almost 600,000 UK homes.
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<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODQ5OTkyNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2Mzg4MDQ1Nn0.ErkUwsTuy_4bG5nBQPJr9eoKTqrodPkzlEIE7F5uubQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="a01b7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2932fdbe375e9b261cf29a6da0bda2dd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">The 87 turbines are located in the Irish Sea, covering an area the equivalent of 20,000 football pitches.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">Ørsted UK</small>
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To compare, the 175-turbine London Array—now the second largest offshore wind farm in the world—has a 630-megawatt capacity, or enough to power about half a million homes.
</p><p>
The Walney Extension is run by Danish energy giant Ørsted (formerly Dong Energy) and the Danish pension funds PKA and PFA.
</p><p>
The project was constructed on time and within budget, Ørsted UK managing director Matthew Wright said in a
<a href="https://orsted.com/en/Media/Newsroom/News/2018/09/05/17/28/The-worlds-largest-offshore-wind-farm-opens-today" target="_blank">press release</a>.
</p><p>
<span></span>The wind farm features 40 MHI Vestas 8-megawatt turbines and 47 Siemens Gamesa 7-megawatt turbines, the first project to use wind turbines from two different manufacturers. That's less than half the number of turbines used at the London Array, but Walney's turbines are more powerful.
</p><p>
"It's another benchmark in terms of the scale. This—bigger turbines, with fewer positions and a bit further out—is really the shape of projects going forward," Wright told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/06/worlds-largest-offshore-windfarm-opens-cumbrian-coast-walney-extension-brexit" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>.
</p><p>
MHI Vestas turbines stand 195 meters (213 yards) tall, and are <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/scotland-wind-turbine-trump-2559323685.html" target="_blank">the most powerful</a> being used globally.
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<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODUwMDU3Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM4MTk3OX0.H71Ov666zFAZvcml4_I9uXjPWzu1BWXHKUe36QkmWmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="a26b7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="93f8130b39176383512248e59c4b645a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">Ørsted UK</small>
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The UK government approved the Walney Extension contract in 2014 that promised a minimum price of £150 ($195) per megawatt hour for 15 years. Since the contract was awarded, costs of offshore wind plummeted more than 50 percent, with the latest auction dropping as low as £57.50 per megawatt hour,
<a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-britain-windfarm-orsted/worlds-largest-offshore-wind-farm-opens-off-northwest-england-idUKKCN1LL37G" target="_blank">Reuters</a> noted.<span></span>
</p><p>
Offshore wind technology is advancing at a rapid pace, meaning the Walney Extension could soon lose its title. For instance, Ørsted's
<a href="http://hornseaprojectone.co.uk/en/About-the-project#0" target="_blank">Hornsea Project One</a> off the UK's Yorkshire coast is expected to be fully operational by 2020 and will have a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, or enough power for more than one million UK homes.
</p><p>
The Netherlands is also planning a
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/offshore-wind-farm-netherlands-2523620979.html" target="_blank">massive offshore wind farm</a> proposed by Dutch electric grid operator <a href="https://www.tennet.eu/nl/" target="_blank">TenneT</a>. If that gets the green-light, the <a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/europeans-are-planning-to-build-man-made-island" target="_blank">10,000-turbine complex</a> could produce up to 30 gigawatts of power by 2027. That's enough electricity to power a city of 20 million people.
</p><p>
Watch here to learn more about the Walney Extension:
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<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cfb2a3bb678a2a308c3992f4d8ef8fd8"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rbnlJOEQ9Hc?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
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Japatino / Getty Images
Local governments in England and Wales have said that only about a third of the plastic food containers recycled by their constituents are actually able to be processed in recycling facilities, BBC News reported Saturday.
<p>The Local Government Association (LGA) found that 525,000 metric tons (approximately 578,713 U.S. tons) of plastic pots, trays and tubs are used by English and Welsh households, but only 169,000 metric tons (approximately 186,291 U.S. tons) can actually be recycled. The rest end up in landfills. </p><p>The rejected plastics are usually low-grade mashups of polymers or black plastics that cannot be scanned by recycling machines because of their color. </p><p>"It's time for manufacturers to stop letting a smorgasboard of unrecyclable and damaging plastic flow into our environment. We've been calling for producers of unrecyclable material to develop a plan to stop this from entering the environment for years," LGA environment spokesperson Judith Blake told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/04/only-a-third-of-plastic-food-packaging-can-be-recycled-councils-say" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>. </p><p>The LGA proposed five fixes that would reduce the number of unrecyclable plastic food containers, according to The Guardian.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">1. Make yogurt containers with the same material as plastic water bottles, instead of a hard-to-recycle mix of polypropylene and polystyrene.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><span></span>2. Also make margarine and ice cream tubs from the same plastic as water bottles, instead of polypropylene.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><span></span>3. Make fruit and vegetable baskets from fewer, more easily recyclable materials instead of a mix of polymers.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><span></span>4. Make bakery trays from more easily recyclable materials, instead of a mix of polymers.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><span></span>5. Change the color of black plastic packaging for microwave goods so that it can be scanned and recycled more easily.</p><p>The use of black plastic is especially ridiculous because it is only used for aesthetic reasons, LGA councillor Peter Fleming told BBC News.</p><p>"It's almost criminal to think that some of the plastics being used are difficult to recycle, and black plastic is almost impossible to recycle," Fleming said.</p><p>Blake also suggested that the government consider banning single-use, low grade plastics.</p><p>The UK grocery industry is in the process of trying to make a change. More than 40 companies signed the "<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/plastics-pact-companies-uk-2563573289.html" target="_self">UK Plastics Pact</a>" in April, promising, among other things, to make sure all packaging was reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.</p><p>The plastics industry says that a much as 80 percent of existing packaging could be made more recyclable, BBC News reported.</p><p>Globally, a 2017 study found that only 9 percent of all plastic waste has been recycled, with 79 percent ending up in landfills or the environment, <a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/" target="_blank">National Geographic reported</a>. </p><p>The same study found that 8.3 billion metric tons (approximately 9.2 billion U.S. tons) of plastic have been generated in just six decades.</p>"This kind of increase would 'break' any system that was not prepared for it, and this is why we have seen leakage from global waste systems into the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/oceans" target="_self">oceans</a>," University of Georgia environmental engineer Jenna Jambeck told National Geographic.
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'You Can't Buy Health': Energy Company Accused of Offering 'Blood Money' to Frack Near Homes
06 November 2017
Fracking
Drone photograph of the Cuadrilla site at Preston New Road, taken Feb. 25. Residents Action on Fylde Fracking
Cuadrilla Resources—a UK-based energy company set to horizontally frack Britain for the first time after two earthquakes halted its initial drilling attempt in 2011—is giving cash payments to residents living near its shale gas exploration site at Preston New Road in Lancashire.
Cuadrilla said that households within one kilometer of the site will each receive approximately £2,070 ($2,700) and those within one to 1.5 kilometers will receive approximately £150 ($197) as part of its £100,000 community benefit payment for the well it is drilling.
<p style="">
"Our shale gas exploration work continues to progress in Lancashire, helping to strengthen the county's economy with over £4.7m ($6.2 million) invested in the county since operations began, and now nearly 300 households will directly benefit from our community payments," the company said in a statement.</p><p style="">
But John Tootill, who owns nearby Maple Farm Nursery and has
<a href="https://www.foe.co.uk/news/fracking-will-destroy-business-i-built-from-scratch" target="_blank">petitioned against fracking</a>, told the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/06/fracking-payouts-shale-gas-cuadrilla-lancashire" target="_blank">Guardian</a> he is refusing Cuadrilla's "blood money."
</p><p style="">
"It is absolutely the most appalling thing. How can you give money to compensate for
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/health-dangers-fracking-1986527671.html">affecting people's health</a> and spoiling their environment?" he said.
</p><p style="">
"What we want is our health. It's just blood money really, because no amount of money can compensate for somebody's health being affected. You can't buy health. Most certainly I wouldn't take it."
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed" style="">
</p><div id="11af2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="IIT7B61576663786"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="927486061932146688" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Local residents choose to share £100,000 Preston New Road shale gas exploration payment https://t.co/yW3M5yGpIo https://t.co/O0gGtdbTF9</div> — Cuadrilla (@Cuadrilla)<a href="https://twitter.com/CuadrillaUK/statuses/927486061932146688">1509964883.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p style="">
Fracking is a contentious topic in the UK, with
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/scotland-bans-fracking-2492507998.html">Scotland recently banning</a> the controversial drilling process. England, however, has been very different. Its Conservative-led government has advocated for exploration and drilling licenses despite staunch <a href="https://www.desmog.uk/2017/05/02/how-25-metres-country-road-became-england-s-fracking-frontline" target="_blank">public opposition</a>.
</p><p style="">
The Preston New Road site itself has been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/20/tensions-rise-at-fracking-site-in-uk-after-police-and-activists-clashes" target="_blank">at the center</a> of high profile, anti-fracking protests. Controversially, Cuadrilla was allowed to initiate drilling after the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/06/uk-fracking-given-go-ahead-as-lancashire-council-rejection-is-overturned" target="_blank">UK government overruled</a> Lancashire County Council's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/29/fracking-application-cuadrilla-rejected-lancashire-county-council" target="_blank">rejection of two applications</a> from Cuadrilla to frack in Lancashire.
</p><p style="">
Cuadrilla expects to begin fracking at the Preston New Road at the end of December or early next year,
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-fracking/six-years-after-tremors-halted-fracking-britain-ready-to-try-again-idUSL8N1N18IQ" target="_blank">Reuters</a> reported.
</p><p style="">
Third Energy, another UK-based gas exploration company, also expects to start fracking before the end of the year at its Kirby Misperton site in Yorkshire once it is green-lit by the government.
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