Trump: The best thing ever for climate change?

trump Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption On the campaign trail Mr Trump repeatedly called for the renegotiation of the Paris Climate Agreement

Since the US election result, there has been consternation among climate campaigners and many environment ministers, especially those attending the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) in Marrakech.

The fear, and fury of the green response to Donald Trump is understandable.

Here's a man who has promised to "cancel" the Paris Climate Agreement, and who tweeted that climate change was a hoax invented by the Chinese - though he did seem to dispute this accusation during a presidential debate.

However his admiration for the coal industry and his determination to revive it are not in doubt. None of that sits well with those who believe that climate change is the greatest threat facing the planet.

But there is another school of thought that says that a Trump presidency could actually aid the fight against climate change.

'Overblown as his haircut'

Read full article Trump: The best thing ever for climate change?

The environmental costs of Heathrow expansion

heathrow Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption There are environmental concerns about noise, air pollution and climate change

Significant questions about the environmental impacts of Heathrow's new runway remain unanswered in the wake of the government's announcement.

Opponents say that the expansion will make air quality and noise pollution much worse.

Read full article The environmental costs of Heathrow expansion

Are celebs the best hope for saving endangered species?

celebrities Image copyright Wildaid
Image caption Can the influence of celebrities really achieve a breakthrough in reducing demand for endangered species?

As the Cites meeting in Johannesburg ends, Matt McGrath asks whether celebrities are having a bigger impact on saving species than the international body tasked with regulating the trade in threatened animals and plants.

The poor old peregrine falcon must feel like a total loser at this point.

Read full article Are celebs the best hope for saving endangered species?

CITES species meeting: 'The only game in town'

Nile crocodile Image copyright PASCAL GOETGHELUCK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Image caption Poster boy: Between the 1940s and 1970s, the Nile crocodile suffered from over-zealous hunting

A big hand for the Nile Crocodile, the poster animal for the argument that regulated international trade can save endangered species.

Though perhaps a gentle round of applause from a suitable distance might be a tad more appropriate.

Read full article CITES species meeting: 'The only game in town'

Exxon: An inconvenient truth

Exxon
Image caption An ice sculpture suggests Exxon knew about the science of climate change but failed to act

In the hot and humid conditions of downtown Dallas, the #Exxonknew ice sculpture - erected by environmental campaigners to suggest the company had known about the science of climate change but had failed to act - did not last too long.

And the activists were hoping the same thing would happen to Exxon, a company that has fended off efforts to make it toe the line on climate change for a quarter of a century.

Read full article Exxon: An inconvenient truth

First big test for Paris climate deal

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and French President Hollande (Image: Reuters) Image copyright Reuters
Image caption UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and French President Hollande join in the celebrations

Do you remember the day we saved the world?

When COP President Laurent Fabius smacked down his gavel on December 12, it signalled that agreement had been reached at the UN climate conference in Paris on one of the world's most intractable environmental and economic problems.

Read full article First big test for Paris climate deal

Can 'pay as you glow' solve Malawi's power crisis?

Malawi
Image caption This canal feeds a small-scale hydro scheme in the village of Bondo, Malawi that powers 250 homes

Two months ago, Bill Gates reminded us of a stunning bit of information.

The amount of electricity per person in sub-Saharan Africa is lower today (excluding South Africa) than it was 30 years ago.

Read full article Can 'pay as you glow' solve Malawi's power crisis?

Supreme shock: Has US court holed Paris climate deal?

Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption President Obama's Clean Power Plan aims to restrict carbon and boost renewable energy

Have five elderly, conservative Americans stalled what President Obama called the "best chance we have to save the one planet we've got"?

Despite all the noise from those stumping for Trump and feeling the burn for Bernie, the decision by a majority of the nine men and women who make up the US Supreme Court to temporarily halt President Obama's Clean Power Plan, may have significant implications for the world beyond New Hampshire and the other 49 states.

Read full article Supreme shock: Has US court holed Paris climate deal?

Did Dubya help to save the world?

Bush Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Cheers COP21! Did President Bush unwittingly play a role in developing the Paris Agreement?

Who should the world really thank for delivering a comprehensive, ambitious agreement that promises to deal with the issue of climate change over the course of this century?

Laurent Fabius? Christiana Figueres? Francois Hollande?

Read full article Did Dubya help to save the world?

Has history been made at COP21?

I'm not a fan of hyperbole, but it would be churlish to say the adoption of the Paris Agreement was anything other than a globally, historic moment.

This carefully worded document that balances the right of countries to develop with the need to protect the planet is a truly world changing instrument.

Read full article Has history been made at COP21?