News from 20 May 2005 on edie

Industry urged to help track antidepressants in UK rivers

Traces of the antidepressant fluoxetine, better known by its original brand name Prozac, could have reached Britain's lakes and rivers and be affecting aquatic wildlife according to the Environment Agency.

Wind offers only sustainable energy future says commission

Wind power must be made to work to tackle the problems of climate change and energy security, a report by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) has said.

Water planning will clash with farming and wildlife, consultancy predicts

Water resource planning issues will clash with environmental legislation; dramatic increases in winter rainfall and even greater decreases in summer rainfall will force farmers to introduce wetlands and new water management techniques; and water shortages and hosepipe bans will become regular annual events.

US freezes hopes for global warming agreement

The UK government's hopes of reaching international agreement on global warming have been dealt a serious blow after a US spokesman said he was not convinced that action needs to be taken immediately.

Urban car drivers get more subsidy than public transport users

Local authorities across Europe are subsidising private car use by up to €250 per citizen every year, a new study has found.

Royal Society slates UK climate change policy

Government climate change policies are failing to address the effects of global warming, the Royal Society has warned. It called for urgent action during this session of parliament to cut emissions of carbon dioxide.

Privatised water contract cancelled in Tanzania

The Tanzanian government has announced the termination of a ten-year water utility contract it awarded to City Water - a joint venture of British and German firms - saying the water supply had got worse in some places since the contract was awarded.

Changes to the law could speed up contaminated land cases

Changes to the way contaminated land appeals are dealt with have been welcomed by the Environmental Law Association (ELA).

Agreement reached on tackling mining pollution in Eastern Europe

Agreement has been reached on a strategy to reduce the pollution risks from mining in Eastern Europe.

Nappy clash leaves consumers confused

A study comparing the environmental cost of reusable and disposable nappies has been condemned as flawed by the Women's Environmental Network.

UK Fisheries Minister calls for halt on whaling expansion

Plans to increase whaling activity have been roundly condemned by UK Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw and conservationists.

Tide turns in favour of wave power

The world's first commercial wave farm will be installed in Portugal after a deal was signed between a Portuguese energy consortium and Edinburgh-based firm Ocean Power Delivery (OPD).

Day: 20 May 2005