OFF TARGET

While Britain, France and Germany have done the most to reduce climate emissions, they have still not implemented enough measures to meet G8 targets established at its meeting last year. The G8 nations emit 62% of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and agreed to halve those emissions by 2050. Britain received high marks for keeping emissions below Kyoto targets, but low scores for its lack of renewable
energy projects.

TURTLES FREED

Two loggerhead turtles stranded on the south-west coast of England last winter have been released in the ocean off the coast of Gran Canaria. A record 23 turtles washed up on UK and Irish coasts this year, but only two survived. The turtles were suffering from pneumonia, dehydration and hypothermia when found, but were nursed back to health. It is unknown why so many turtles – native to the warm waters of the Mediterranean, West Africa and Florida – were stranded in the UK.

PENGUIN DECLINE

Penguins are the "canary in the coalmine" when it comes to climate change, according to scientists who have observed populations at key breeding sites plummet in the past 25 years. Scientists from the University of Washington have recorded more than 20% declines in populations of Magellanic penguins, and numbers of Galapagos penguins have fallen to just 2,500. Other species in Antarctica, Africa, South America and the South Pacific have also experienced declines.

NEW ROUTE OPEN
The first stage of a £50m UK–wide cycling and walking network opened in Dumfries last week. The Sustrans-organised project transformed the disused Queen of the South railway viaduct into a walking and cycling route and links communities on the east and west areas of the town. The project will benefit at least 25,000 residents who live within a mile of the route. The network will eventually bring new paths to 79 communities.

CLIMATE BILL

More than 21,000 people worldwide have contributed to the draft of the Scottish Climate Change Bill. Many called on Scotland to become a leader in the fight against climate change, by stepping up reduction targets on carbon dioxide and methane emissions. Aviation, shipping and farming industry emissions were especially targeted. The bill goes forward in December.