Green light: Whale wars, nuclear radiation and bathing monkeys

Whale wars • Activists claim Japanese whalers rammed anti-whaling boat • Japanese whaling boat clash likely to ignite row over activists' tactics • Australia and New Zealand to investigate Sea Shepherd collision • Anti-whaling boat Ady Gil sinks off Antarctica • Sea Shepherd and Japanese whaling ship footage show dramatic moment of impact • Paul Watson: Sea Shepherd's stern 'warrior' defies Japanese whalers A collision between a Japanese whaling security ship and conservation group Sea Shepherd's hi-tech Ady Gil has sparked talk of a fresh round of "whale wars". Japan and Sea Shepherd embarked on a war of words and blame, while Australia and New Zealand launched separate investigations into the collision, which led to the ship eventually sinking off Antarctica. The incident also led to renewed interest in the group's colourful and outspoken founder, Paul Watson, and soul-searching among environment campaigners over tactics. Nuclear radiation • Irrational fears give nuclear power a bad name, says Oxford scientist • Nuclear radiation risk: The current consensus • Chernobyl nuclear accident: figures for deaths and cancers still in dispute • The proliferation of nuclear panic is politics at its most ghoulish Simon Jenkins looked at two new books questioning the consensus around the dangers of nuclear radiation. Our reporters followed up with analysis of the ongoing disputes about the effect of Chernobyl's radiation, and talked to an Oxford professor who believes the health effects of nuclear power are oversold. Snow and climate change • Britain's cold snap does not prove climate science wrong • Leading climate scientist challenges Mail on Sunday's use of his research • Snow, ice and the bigger picture • How will the snow and ice affect the public's attitudes to climate change? | Ben Page The big freeze's snowfalls have been accompanied by a flurry of climate denial, which Leo Hickman and George Monbiot responded to - sparking a record number of comments by Guardian readers. Climate scientist Mojib Latif hit out at the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph's interpretation of his research, while MORI pollster Ben Page said the current cold weather wouldn't affect public attitudes towards man-made climate change. Green living • US cult of greed is now a global environmental threat • Observer Ethical Awards 2010 open for voting • Should Segways motor in on our cycle lanes? • What's the alternative to joining a gym? • Has the cold weather caused the nation's carbon emissions to go up? • Miss Earth hits the catwalk with a beauty contest from a different planet | Leo Hickman The Observer Ethical Awards opened for voting and are more vital than ever, as experts warned of the dangers excess consumerism poses to the environment. Plus, check in later this week to find out from Leo Hickman whether the cold spell has seen UK carbon emissions plunge or spike. Everybody's Talking About • If you only read one thread... Nine meals from anarchy : A cold snap shows how fragile our supply of food and fuel is. We need a more sustainable system, writes Andrew Simms. • Best comment mickeymackcoole : "In Regent's Park, the birds are so hungry, the blackbirds and the robins come right up to you for food. Two robins got into a fight, seemingly to the death, over a scrap of bread. It was all very urban and edgy, that." Posted on: How the big freeze has brought some unusual visitors Read Mariam Cook's latest blogpost for more about this week's community activity ...And finally • Week in wildlife While the rest of us shiver, some canny monkeys in Japan have been enjoying a soak in the warmth of a mountain hotspring.