The production and release of synthetic chemicals worldwide is destabilising the Earth system.

A high court judge said the Environment Agency was failing to fulfil its legal duty to protect the public.

Batteries power much of modern life, from electric and hybrid cars to computers, medical devices and cellphones. But unless they're made easier and cheaper to recycle, a battery waste crisis looms.

Small-scale gold mining operations in developing countries are major sources of toxic mercury pollution, using techniques that haven't changed much since the California Gold Rush 150 years ago.