Day: 18 August 2000

Hydrocarbons force closure of popular beaches along Spanish coast

A petrol tanker’s cleaning emissions have been blamed for nine days of pollution on Costa del Sol beaches resulting in the peak-season closure of resorts and a constant coastal cleaning operation.

Ozone on Long Island threatens plant growth

High levels of ozone have seriously retarded the growth of plant-life in agricultural areas of Long Island, NY, according to a plant pathologist at Cornell University.

Australian mining firm knowingly pollutes in Papua New Guinea

A report into a cyanide spill in the rainforests of this environmentally pristine nation has revealed that an Australian mine operator expects to obliterate local fish populations and food resources as a result of its normal operations.

Canadian Government discovers widely-used road salts are toxic to the environment

The Canadian Government has released findings that five million tonnes of road salts used annually pose a risk to plants, animals, birds, fish, lake and stream ecosystems and groundwater.

Australian scientists plan to store carbon dioxide underground

A team of scientists is proposing a plan to cut Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by injecting carbon dioxide deep underground.

Canada to fight third-world pollutants with large donation

In a bid to tackle the harmful effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in its Arctic north, the Canadian government has announced funds to curb their use in developing nations.

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Friends of the Earth welcome the first salmon farm rejection under new legislation

The Scottish Friends of the Earth (FoE) has welcomed the rejection of the first application for a fish farm by the Crown Estate under new 1999 Environmental Impact Assessment regulations.

Greenest ‘bus’ nominated for award

An environmentally-friendly transport scheme by Hertfordshire County Council has inspired similar schemes nationwide.

Chemical company employees face life sentences for environmental disaster

The chairman of a Taiwanese chemical company is among those charged with attempted murder for dumping 14,000 tonnes of chemical waste into mountain streams and coastal areas.

More customers can choose their water company

Over 1000 more large water customers, including hospitals, airports, universities, breweries and food manufacturers in England are now able to change their water and sewerage company.

New targets for recycling of packaging waste

The Government is proposing to increase the packaging waste recovery target from 52% to 58%, and the material specific recycling target from 16% to 18%, enabling the UK to meet the EU deadline of recovering 50% of all packaging waste by June 2001, at the lowest possible cost to business.