New research shows that plastic bottles may harm human health. Scientists in Germany have discovered that PET plastics, the sort of plastic that makes up plastic bottles amongst other things, may harbour hormone-disrupting chemicals that may leach into the liquid the bottle is holding.

These chemicals have the potential to interfere with oestrogen and other reproductive hormones and there is a high chance that drinking liquid from plastic bottles may also mean you are consuming these chemicals.  Read more... (262 words, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)

The Environment Agency has warned that using biomass energy may be harmful to the environment and are calling on the government to introduce mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by biomass companies to determine whether guidelines or standards need to be introduced to help protect the environment.

Biomass is a popular form of alternative energy as it is considered as a low carbon-emitting way of producing fuel provided that whatever is burnt is replaced by new growth, and that the harvest and transport of the biomass fuel does not consume too much fuel. Waste wood and MDF are said to produce the lowest amount of emissions, whilst willow, poplar and oil seed rape all produce significantly higher emissions.  Read more... (181 words, estimated 43 secs reading time)

New research shows that solid-fuel rockets may be damaging the Earth’s ozone layer.

Ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFCs are slowly fading from the atmosphere thanks to strict laws around the World. However it appears that solid-fuel rockets may be causing to the ozone layer.

When a solid-fuel rocket is launched, chlorine gas is released directly into the stratosphere. This chlorine reacts with oxygen and chlorine oxides are formed. These chlorine oxides can damage the ozone layer.  Read more... (289 words, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

According to researchers at the European Space Agency have warned that a large amount of Antarctic ice is close to breaking up.

The ice bridge between two islands protecting the Wilkins Ice Shelf and the ocean has already collapsed leaving the northern front of the ice shelf totally exposed. This exposure means that over the coming weeks and months, a huge amount of ice equivalent to the size of Connecticut is likely to break up.

Estimates range from between 800 to 3,700 square kilometres of ice will disappear from the ice front. Last year around 1,800 square kilometres broke up meaning there could be a significantly larger amount of ice breaking up this year.  Read more... (197 words, estimated 47 secs reading time)

Department store Debenhams has designed the ultimate eco-chic suit – a trouser suit made from recycled plastic bottles.

The plastic bottle are first cleaned and their labels removed. Once this process is complete, they are ground down into small chips before being melted. This mixture is then refined and woven into a sort yet hard-wearing form of polyester. It takes around 50 recycled bottles to make a single trouser suit.

Retailing at around £55, this eco-chic suit won’t break the bank however because the suit is made from a form of polyester, it won’t appeal to everyone.  Read more... (156 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)

Four of the World’s largest airlines have joined forces to lobby governments, calling on them to be stricter on emissions.

British Airways, Air France-KLM, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic have joined with The Climate Group and the British Airports Authority to propose a cap-and-trade scheme for carbon emissions. The group is hoping to have the proposal included in the next global emissions agreement which will be signed at the end of 2009.

According to the UN, air travel emits around 3 percent of human greenhouse gasses, a figure which is still rising and expected to hit 15% by 2050. At present, there is no global emissions guidelines or targets for the airline industry, something which this new group aims to change.  Read more... (153 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)

The vast areas of tropical forest in the Amazon and in Africa may be even more important to the health of the Earth than previously thought.

According to some controversial new research, these vast rainforest help to generate wind and pump water around the planet. The theory helps explain how Australia turned from deep forest into desert and also explains why continents with forests at their hearts receive the same amount of rainfall as the coastlines. The theory also suggests that even without global warming, North America has the potential to turn into one large desert.  Read more... (473 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)