Green Light: mega droughts, geoengineering and straw homes

Green news roundup: mega droughts, geoengineering and straw homes The week’s top environment news stories and green events. If you’re not already receiving this roundup, sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox Environment editor theguardian.com, Friday 13 February 2015 04.27 EST A warning buoy sits on the dry, cracked bed of Lake Mendocino near Ukiah, California. Photograph: Rich Pedroncelli/AP Environment news US faces worst droughts in 1,000 years, predict scientists Scientists urge global ‘wake-up call’ to deal with climate change Coastal communities dumping 8m tonnes of plastic in oceans every year Capita’s takeover of Defra science agency needs scrutiny, say Labour Fracking will be allowed under national parks, UK decides US launches plan to halt decline of monarch butterfly California calls on pension funds to divest from coal in climate change push UK spent 300 times more on fossil fuels than clean energy despite green pledge England’s flood defence funding faces £600m shortfall, MPs warn On the blogs Peru planning highway through most biodiverse place on Earth Indonesia winning battle to save world’s richest reef system Climate science denialists in tailspin over hottest years Fossil fuel lobby goes on the attack against divestment movement We can start leaving the oil in the ground right now – here’s how Multimedia Satellite Eye on Earth: January 2015 – in pictures The week in wildlife – in pictures Wildlife under threat from Asia’s poaching crisis – in pictures Orange chemical cloud blankets Catalan towns after explosion at factory in Spain – video Features and comment The fight to save one of the world’s oldest fish species Paul Polman: World leaders should take advantage of low oil prices to ditch fossil fuel subsidies Renewable energy: How wind is changing the fortunes of Lewis islanders Is geoengineering a bad idea? Observer Ethical Awards The Observer Ethical Awards are back for their ten year anniversary. So tell us who you think is making the biggest difference in the fight for environmental and social justice. Browse the categories and nominate today ...And finally First straw homes go on sale The team behind the project insist that straw houses could help to meet housing demand in the UK sustainably – and are safe from huffing and puffing. Sign up for the Guardian Today Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Sign up for the daily email