Australian gov't commits 379 million USD to save iconic Great Barrier Reef

The Australian government has allocated 500 million Australian dollars (379 million US dollars) to save the Great Barrier Reef from climate change, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced here on Sunday.

NASA to test Israeli radiation protection vest on Orion mission

The US space agency NASA will launch an Israeli-produced radiation protection vest into space as part of its last test flight of Orion spacecraft before manned missions begin, Israel said Tuesday.

Trump plans to expand offshore drilling in Pacific and Atlantic

The Trump administration has proposed a controversial plan to open up protected areas in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans for offshore drilling.

Over 6 bln euros committed to better managing oceans

More than 6 billion euros (7.01 billion US dollars) was dedicated by public and private sectors from 112 countries to improve management of oceans at the Our Ocean conference 2017 being held on Friday in Malta .

China investigates illegal fishing boat detained in Ecuador

China said Tuesday it has looked into the case of a Chinese ship detained in Ecuador over charges of illegal fishing and that it does not tolerate any illegal trading of endangered wildlife.

Radio communications have surprising influence on Earth's near-space environment

Humans have a measurable effect on Earth's near-space environment, new research shows.

Tibet bans crossing of nature reserve

Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has banned visitors from passing through a state nature reserve to access other areas, as an environmental protection measure.

Ukraine to put new Chernobyl safety cover into operation

A new protective cover over the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear reactor No.4, which was erected in November 2016, will be put into operation this year, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced on Wednesday.

Australia : shark nets killing protected species

Over 90 animals on protected species lists have been killed in Australia's New South Wales shark nets, according to a government report released Monday.

Japanese whalers have been caught with a dead minke whale in protected waters

A Japanese whaling ship has been caught with a dead minke whale on board while sailing through protected Australian waters, according to anti-whaling group, Sea Shepherd.

UN calls on European countries to protect refugees from freezing to death & abuse

 At least five refugees have reportedly perished from exposure in a European cold snap since the beginning of the year amid reports of police violence against asylum seekers, including confiscation of phones and clothing, the UN’s refugee agency reported.

Pacific nation of Kiribati establishes large shark sanctuary

The island nation of Kiribati has established a large shark sanctuary that will help ensure the creatures are protected across much of the central Pacific.

New Zealand hails unanimous agreement on Antarctic marine reserve

The New Zealand government Friday hailed a breakthrough agreement to create the world's biggest marine protected area (MPA) in the Ross Sea region of the Antarctic.

German lawmakers want EU to switch to emission-free cars by 2030

 The upper house of the German parliament, the Bundesrat, has adopted a resolution which urges the EU Commission as well as the EU Parliament to create conditions for a Europe-wide switch to emission-free cars “not later than in 2030.”

China investigates paved Great Wall section

Following media reports that a section of the Great Wall in northeast China had been paved, the state cultural heritage watchdog on Thursday said investigators have been sent to verify the reports and carry out an investigation.

UN cultural agency hails creation of world’s largest marine protected area

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today welcomed the establishment by US President Barack Obama of the largest nature reserve in the world, done through expanding a marine reserve in the state of Hawaii.

Obama creates world's largest protected marine area off Hawaii

President Barack Obama will expand the country's largest contiguous fully protected conservation area to create the world's largest marine protected area in Hawaii, covering 582,578 square miles of land and sea, the White House said.

Countries to meet in Egypt to end killing of migrating birds

A taskforce of over 20 countries in the Middle East and Europe will meet for the first time in Egypt Tuesday to discuss methods of curbing illegal practices that kill more than 20 million migrating songbirds each year.

On World Day, UN urges meaningful action to protect future health of oceans

On World Day, UN urges meaningful action to protect future health of oceans Healthy oceans are critical to sustaining life on Earth, by regulating the climate and providing a wide range of services, including natural resources, nutritious food and jobs that benefit billions of people, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today, as the UN kicked off its celebrations to mark World Oceans Day.

Key conference on natural disasters management set for May 30 in Switzerland

The prominent international research body on natural disasters, Interpraevent, will hold its 13th congress in Lucerne of Switzerland from May 30 to June 2, the Swiss Federal Government announced on Monday.