Belfast: At first I thought it was the planes flying overhead, then I looked down and saw the most spectacular thing I’ve seen in natureI love going back to the same riverside path at the edge of the city. It’s so familiar, but thanks to nature no visit is ever the same. I took my first outdoor steps here beside pink flowers with seeds you can pop,...

Panel of nearly 100 countries to draw up guidelines for industries that mine raw materials used in low-carbon technologyA UN-led panel of nearly 100 countries is to draw up new guidelines to prevent some of the environmental damage and human rights abuses associated with mining for “critical minerals”.Mining for some of the key raw materials used in...

Lindsay McKenna’s wildlife centre takes in exotic animals when owners can’t cope. She and other experts fear the law is failing the very animals it is designed to protectWhen Lindsay McKenna went out to buy a piece of furniture from a seller, the last thing she expected was to return with a wild animal.“Something moved in the garage when I was in there...

Two-year-old calf one step closer to reuniting with family group after tragic accident that left her stranded in remote lagoonAn orca calf, trapped for weeks in a remote lagoon in western Canada, has freed herself and is travelling towards open waters, hailed as “incredible news” by a growing body of human supporters.The move puts her one step closer...

These cafes are determined to steer customer habits back away from single-use cupsChange by Degrees offers life hacks and sustainable living tips each Saturday to help reduce your household’s carbon footprintGot a question or tip for reducing household emissions? Email us at changebydegrees@theguardian.comAlmost everyone has a reusable cup (or three)...

EV sales have plateaued across the world but the newfound glut of vehicles may just be temporaryElon Musk became the world’s richest man by evangelising about electric cars – and delivering them by the million. Yet in recent months his company, Tesla, has struggled to maintain its momentum: sales have dropped this year, and so has its share price.Those...