Agencies outline Mars initiative

The US and European space agencies launch an initiative that could lead to joint missions to explore the Red Planet.

Study pinpoints UK wind hotspots

An Energy Saving Trust study identifies the 'best and worst' locations in the UK for domestic small-scale wind turbines.

'15-year high' for rhino poaching

Rhino poaching around the world is set to reach a 15-year high as demand for the animals' horns grows, conservation groups warn.

Ban criticises G8 climate efforts

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon criticises G8 nations for not going far enough to combat climate change.

A glimpse of ancient dying stars

Snapshots of the most distant supernovae known to astronomy, which exploded 11 billion years ago, have been revealed.

The real Avatar: ocean bacteria act as 'superorganism'

Bacteria in muddy ocean sediments may shuttle energy back and forth via a network of nanowires – a striking parallel with the movie Avatar

A quiet sun won't save us from global warming

Even if there's a "grand minimum" in the sun's output over the next century, it won't be enough to counter rising temperatures caused by humans

Arctic arch failure leads to sea-ice exodus

Dams of ice that usually plug straits leading out of the Arctic Ocean are failing to form, letting sea ice escape to the Atlantic and Pacific

Innovation: Bloom didn't start a fuel-cell revolution

The Californian company has grabbed the headlines, but fuel cells are already sparking a new era in energy

Greener gadget designs

The Greener Gadgets design competition aims to inspire more eco-friendly consumer products – see the winners and shortlisted entries in our gallery