The latest environmental news from the UK, brought to you by UNEP/GRID-Arendal.http://www.earthwire.org/uk A pampering session at the beauty salon always works wonders for morale - not just for humans, but also for sharks and manta ray fish. Australian scientists have discovered that these large marine creatures regularly congregate at certain spots on the Great Barrier Reef to be groomed by smaller fish. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/where-australias-sharks-go-to-stay-looking-sharp-1918857.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/where-australias-sharks-go-to-stay-looking-sharp-1918857.html 2010-03-10T00:00:00-00:00 The Independent Green members of the European parliament stood en masse and held up placards Tuesday in protest against the EU Commission approval of the cultivation of genetically modified potatoes. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/greens-protest-genetically-modified-potato-goahead-1918943.html http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/greens-protest-genetically-modified-potato-goahead-1918943.html 2010-03-10T00:00:00-00:00 The Independent A new report outlines practical measures to reduce Heathrow aircraft noise. http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk//news/?id=2405 http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk//news/?id=2405 2010-03-10T00:00:00-00:00 Environmental Protection UK Pro-whaling officials have reacted angrily to news that a documentary about a gruesome annual dolphin cull in a remote Japanese fishing town has bagged an Academy Award. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/dolphin-cull-film-lies-says-japan-1918336.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/dolphin-cull-film-lies-says-japan-1918336.html 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 The Independent The star of the BBC's Gardeners' World has been drafted in by the Government as they try to persuade the public to stop using peat compost. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/gardeners-urged-to-stop-using-peatbased-compost-1918355.html http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/gardeners-urged-to-stop-using-peatbased-compost-1918355.html 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 The Independent Spring came last week and so did its first notable event, though not in a flowering, an emerging or a singing, but in a publication: Richard Mabey published his essays. It might still be freezing outside, but getting hold of A Brush With Nature in early March was like being given an unseasonable spell of warm weather in which everything in the natural world suddenly bursts into life. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/michael-mccarthy-a-literary-spell-of-warm-weather-1918377.html http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/michael-mccarthy-a-literary-spell-of-warm-weather-1918377.html 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 The Independent Government efforts to encourage motorists to buy greener cars are proving so successful they are raising concerns that tax breaks for cleaner vehicles may have to be re-jigged. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/green-car-incentives-may-be-a-victim-of-their-own-success-1918439.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/green-car-incentives-may-be-a-victim-of-their-own-success-1918439.html 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 The Independent On the banks of the Ganges in northern India, tanneries that have poured effluent into the holy river for decades are closing. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/indian-leather-hub-targeted-in-ganges-cleanup-1918453.html http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/indian-leather-hub-targeted-in-ganges-cleanup-1918453.html 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 The Independent Middlemist's Red - thought to be only one of two in the world ? is blooming in the 19th-century conservatory at Chiswick HousePlant-lovers will have to take it on trust, as its magnificent Georgian home still has the builders in, but one of the rarest flowers in the world is in full bloom.The Middle http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/mar/09/middlemist-red-camellia-chiswick-house http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/mar/09/middlemist-red-camellia-chiswick-house 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 Guardian Unlimited Cape, £18.992000 He belonged to that Salman class of short, fat, ugly, clever men who were unaccountably attractive to women. But Michael Beard was anhedonic; his fifth marriage was disintegrating and he should have known how to behave as his philandering had ended the previous four. This time, thou http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/mar/09/solar-by-ian-mcewan http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/mar/09/solar-by-ian-mcewan 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 Guardian Unlimited Leaked emails between climate scientists at the University of East Anglia have caused a furore. Phil Jones on how not to get caught out by freedom of information requestsThe "climategate" scandal involving the University of East Anglia has sent shockwaves through universities, but many academics sti http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/mar/09/avoid-climategate-foi-requests-academics http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/mar/09/avoid-climategate-foi-requests-academics 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 Guardian Unlimited Chosen insect feeds on invasive species but not other closely related plants and cropsBiological warfare is to be declared on an alien invader, Japanese knotweed, that swamps gardens and rivers, with the release of an insect to eat the virulent weed.The decision by the Department for Environment, Fo http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/mar/09/moth-kill-knotweed http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/mar/09/moth-kill-knotweed 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 Guardian Unlimited Bradford wind turbine rejected even though it meets government guidelines. http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk//news/?id=2404 http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk//news/?id=2404 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 Environmental Protection UK The Met Office has revealed plans to create a new global temperature data set. http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk//news/?id=2403 http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk//news/?id=2403 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 Environmental Protection UK Updated guidance: 'Development Control: Planning for Air Quality' http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk//news/?id=2396 http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk//news/?id=2396 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 Environmental Protection UK PARIS (Reuters Life!) - An event based around hundreds of fashionistas flying in from all over the world was never going to be a convincing platform for environmental campaigning, but designers in Paris haven't let that stop them. http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/environment/~3/7rLWHQ_lpN0/idUSTRE6283LS20100309 http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/environment/~3/7rLWHQ_lpN0/idUSTRE6283LS20100309 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 Reuters BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe's new climate chief sought to reinvigorate international climate talks on Tuesday, laying out a strategy for the EU to lead the world by example. http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/environment/~3/SPUjuhKfiFs/idUSTRE6283CD20100309 http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/environment/~3/SPUjuhKfiFs/idUSTRE6283CD20100309 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 Reuters Two new areas have been added to the list of proposals for a "second wave" of eco-towns, the Government said today. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/two-more-areas-propose-ecotowns-1918691.html http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/two-more-areas-propose-ecotowns-1918691.html 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 The Independent The TCPA and Friends of the Earth have welcomed today's launch of the new environment Planning Policy Statements (PPS). http://www.planningresource.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/environment/989133/TCPA-hails-dramatic-environment-PPSs/ http://www.planningresource.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/environment/989133/TCPA-hails-dramatic-environment-PPSs/ 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 PlanningResource The government has launched consultations for new Planning Policy Statements (PPS) on climate change and the natural environment along with a new policy on coastal change. http://www.planningresource.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/environment/989027/Environment-PPSs-unveiled/ http://www.planningresource.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/environment/989027/Environment-PPSs-unveiled/ 2010-03-09T00:00:00-00:00 PlanningResource