Arctic
HSBC to stop financing most new coal plants, oil sands, arctic drilling
LONDON Europe's largest bank HSBC said on Friday it would mostly stop funding new coal power plants, oil sands and arctic drilling, becoming the latest in a long line of investors to shun the fossil fuels.
Trump administration begins review process for drilling in Alaska refuge
WASHINGTON The Trump administration this week will begin the environmental review process for oil and gas drilling on a section of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a region in northern Alaska rich in crude but prized by conservationists.
Arctic jazz: bowhead whales have amazingly diverse songbook
WASHINGTON Bowhead whales, the black filter-feeding giants of the Arctic that can live for 200 years devouring tons of tiny marine creatures, boast another remarkable quality. Their unique underwater songs make them wonderful "jazz" artists.
Arctic Ocean ice near record low for winter, boost for shipping
OSLO/WASHINGTON Winter sea ice on the Arctic Ocean covered the second smallest area on record this year, part of a thaw that is opening the region to shipping and oil exploration and may be disrupting weather far to the south, scientists said on Friday.
Greenpeace boards rig due to drill for Statoil in Arctic
OSLO Greenpeace activists have boarded a rig that was due to sail to the Arctic to drill prospects on behalf of oil firm Statoil, the environmental group said on Thursday.
ADB signs $250 million loan deal for China geothermal heating
SHANGHAI Asia Development Bank (ADB) said on Thursday it would provide a $250 million loan to Sinopec Green Energy Geothermal Co (SGE) and Iceland's Arctic Green Energy Corp (AGE) to develop clean geothermal heat in smog-prone northern China.
Last three years hottest on record, severe weather hits 2018: U.N.
OSLO The past three years were the hottest on record and heat waves in Australia, freak Arctic warmth and water shortages in Cape Town are extending harmful weather extremes in 2018, the United Nations said on Thursday.
Journey to Antarctica: seals, penguins and glacial beauty
ABOARD THE ARCTIC SUNRISE The trip began in Punta Arenas, the capital of Magallanes region, Chile. We had spent three days aboard the Arctic Sunrise, a Greenpeace ship docked in one of the city’s harbors, to test our equipment and conduct security drills. I was eager to get to Antarctica.
Trump administration seeks swift action on Alaska oil leases
ANCHORAGE, Alaska The Trump administration is seeking to sell leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as quickly as possible – drawing fire from opponents of drilling in the sensitive area, who are warning against a rushed process.
Russian voting starts early for nomadic reindeer herders
MOSCOW Russia holds a presidential election on Sunday but voting has already begun in the flat, snow-covered expanses of the Siberian Arctic, which are home to the nomadic Nenets people who herd reindeer.
Trump says 'long way' to go on North Korea crisis
WASHINGTON/SEOUL U.S. President Donald Trump said the North Korean nuclear crisis is a long way from being resolved on Sunday, striking a cautious note a day after the North's pledge to end its nuclear tests raised hopes before planned summits with South Korea and the United States.
