Exxon Mobil Oil Spill Hits Niger Delta
The oil giant Exxon Mobil has acknowledged a new oil spill off the coast of southern Nigeria. Residents of Akwa Ibom state have reported seeing oil deposits massing along the coastline. Exxon says the size of the leak remains unclear. Akwa Ibom is a part of the Niger Delta region, which a U.N. report one year ago said will already need 30 years and around $1 billion to at least partially recover from environmental damage caused by major oil companies.
Global CO2 Emissions Have Risen by 3% Over the Past Year
In the report Trends in global CO2 emissions, the researchers noted that the 3% increase in emissions was higher than the decade’s average annual rise of 2.7%. The main cause cited was increased industrial growth in China and India, where emissions increased by 9% and 6% respectively. Of the planet’s top emitters (who mostly contributed to the global total of 34 billion ton of CO2 emitted during 2011), China was responsible for 29%, the USA for 16%, the EU for 11%, India for 6% and Russia for 5%.
The Biggest Solar Farm in the UK Opens in Southampton!
The UK’s largest solar farm has opened and will produce enough electricity to power 1,000 homes. The project, which is made of 1,800 solar PV panels mounted on 5.6 miles of frames, unveiled for the first time. The five mega watt scheme spans across a huge 30 acres on the Cadland estate in Fawley near Southampton, Hants.