#environmental-impact

#environmental-impact

Taxing Britain's SUVs in line with other European countries could raise almost 2bn a year for the public finances, research has shown. The Transport & Environment thinktank has urged the government to use the autumn budget to bring in a levy on the largest vehicles, which it said would reflect the damage they caused to the environment and infrastructure.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground.

Two judges appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit by President Donald Trump issued a Thursday decision that allows a newly established but already notorious immigrant detention center in Florida, dubbed Alligator Alcatraz, to stay open. Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida sought "to halt the unlawful construction" of the site. Last month, Judge Kathleen Williams - appointed by former President Barack Obama to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida - ordered the closure of the facility within 60 days. However, on Thursday, Circuit Judges Elizabeth Branch and Barbara Lagoa blocked Williams' decision, concluding that "the balance of the harms and our consideration of the public interest favor a stay of the preliminary injunction."

Originally known for its bohemian spiritual community and pristine coastline, Tulum has transformed from a secluded seaside paradise into a small city and bustling tourist spot with design-forward resorts, world-renowned restaurants, nightlife spots aplenty, an international airport, and a plethora of exceptional villas to call home. First-time tourists may flock to Tulum's glam beachfront hotels, but booking a stay at a villa means more space for a

A fluid choreography that combines strength and delicacy, like a dance on the waves, gathers enthusiasts across the world's oceans. Yet, behind this image of freedom and connection with nature, the sport also carries contradictions. It is a symbol of outdoor life and respect for the ocean, but on the other hand, it is marked by territorial disputes over waves and by an environmental footprint that rarely receives the same attention given to its aesthetics.

"Don't mess up my beach, girl," New Yorker and comedian Ilana Glazer pleaded to Gov. Kathy Hochul in late July in an Instagram reel with over 46,000 likes. Glazer wants the governor to reject the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project, which would build a natural gas pipeline that would start in Pennsylvania and end in New York City's beachfront community, the Rockaways, with a 17-mile stretch below the ocean floor.

Starting Sept. 29, the coffee giant, Starbucks, will require many corporate workers to commute into the office four days a week, up from the current three. While framed as a culture-building move, the shift raises new concerns about environmental impact and community strain - both of which add up for a large company - at a time when climate goals should be moving forward, not in reverse.

They note that the 152-acre project site - an undeveloped swath of creosote scrub about a half-mile from the national park boundary - may support at least 10 plant and 17 animal species that are either listed as threatened or endangered or recognized as species of concern, including loggerhead shrikes, golden eagles, burrowing owls and, of course, desert tortoises such as Big Boy and Squiggles.

The deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, has been hit with a legal challenge after she overruled a local council to approve a hyperscale datacentre on green belt land by the M25 in Buckinghamshire. Campaigners bringing the action are complaining that no environmental impact assessment was made for the 90MW datacentre, which was approved as part of the Labour government's push to turn the UK into an AI powerhouse

Fast fashion, which emerged in the 1990s, has changed global clothing consumption by prioritising affordable, mass-produced garments. However, this model comes with significant environmental and social costs. Socially, fast fashion is tied to serious issues like labour exploitation, particularly impacting women and children in developing countries, which continues to tarnish many big brands' reputations. The true cost of fast fashion The fashion industry produces around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and uses a massive amount of water annually.

Toothbrushes contain nylon bristles, a metal staple, and a plastic handle, all of which must be separated before recycling can occur.

"The finish takes place at a hiking area at 2,247 metres in altitude where the crowds, traffic, and infrastructure could damage the fragile high-mountain ecosystem."

Smoke from a large moor fire in Yorkshire has affected residents over 30 miles away, with firefighters battling the blaze near RAF Fylingdales since Monday.

Choosing the right water bottle in 2025 aligns personal hydration with environmental responsibility, transforming a simple vessel into a statement of care for the planet.

Food banks can help prevent food waste by rescuing unsold food from grocers and retailers, thereby redistributing it to families in need.

The tour introduces visitors to the impact of Los Angeles' water use on Mono Lake, which has significantly declined due to water diversion since the early 20th century.

Martinez et al. tested three different Roman concrete recipes with varying slaked lime-to-pozzolan ratios (1:2, 1:3, and 1:4), and assessed greenhouse gas and air emissions for each production stage based on known Roman construction practices. The results surprised the scientists. Per volume of concrete, the production process for Roman concrete ended up emitting as much and, in some cases, more CO2 than modern formulations.

It's easy to forget to unplug TVs that aren't in daily use, but it happens more often than you'd think. This is especially true if you have a TV in a guest room or common area that isn't often occupied. Simply unplugging your TVs when not in use could save you between $2 and $6 a year for each one.