Won’t fund firms contributing to climate change: Church of England

The Church plans to withdraw investment from companies that don’t follow the terms of the Paris Agreement

No short cuts

2014 was the UK’s warmest year on record

It was also the fourth wettest year in records dating back to 1910, the UK Met office said

Patterns in the sky

It is that time of the year again when starlings roam the skies in huge swarms that form distinct patterns. Down To Earth tells you more about …

Malaria drug-resistant parasite common in Southeast Asia: study

The problem could get much worse if the parasite reaches Africa, warn experts

60% European water bodies highly polluted: study

European Environmental Agency, in its study, finds English rivers, lakes and estuaries to be among the worst

Cholesterol drug sold over-the-counter has dangerous side-effects

Niacin can cause bleeding and infection in the gut and brain

Rare copy of world’s first geological map of a nation found

The map and its theories, prepared by William Smith in the nineteenth century, led to the development of geology

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Women over 65 most prone to cervical cancer

Regular screenings for the disease fall drastically with age

Inflatable incubator design wins James Dyson Award

The device, which costs just $400, has the same features as a modern incubation system costing $45,000

More than 20,000 Ebola cases likely by November, forecasts WHO

The United Nations has already called for 20-fold increase in assistance to control the outbreak in West Africa

Ebola more deadly for children under 4 years

Young children more at risk than adults as the mean incubation period, the average time from infection until the onset of symptoms, is shorter

UK paid £43 billion in green taxes in 2013

The figure was the highest ever for the country, with the majority of the environmental taxes paid by the commercial sector

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Researchers find more reasons to quit smoking

Death due to renal failure and intestinal ischemia associated with smoking

United emission norms

Eight countries decide that it is time to have uniform standards for vehicular emissions

UK’s obesity epidemic worse than feared, says study

National Obesity Forum recommends hard-hitting public health campaigns to tackle the problem

Blame bankers, not oil, for climate impasse

Oceans report card: Global ocean health scores 67 out of 100

Seas surrounding Indian peninsula score 61, lower than global average