Top storiesA Russian tanker has travelled through the northern sea route in record speed and without an icebreaker escort for the first time, highlighting how climate change is opening up the high Arctic. Simon Boxall, an oceanographer, said shipping companies were making a “safe bet” in building ships in anticipation that the northern sea route will open up. The veteran wildlife broadcaster said there were “signs of hope” for the health of the planet and called the Paris climate change agreement a “big advance” despite Donald Trump’s disengagement. If acting on climate change is a priority, how does this tally? Sign upIf you would like to receive the Guardian Australia morning mail to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here.

Source: The Guardian August 24, 2017 20:37 UTC