Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Millions of Americans believe they’re safe from wildfires in their cities. New research shows they’re not

admin — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 13:00:23 +0000

Many of the suburbs and cities hit hardest in recent years were caught off-guard, and key stakeholders are racing to understand the dynamics that drive these fires

Communities across the US that were once considered beyond the reach of wildfires are now vulnerable to disaster. As fires increasingly spread deep into neighborhoods, researchers estimate roughly 115 million people – more than a third of the US population – live in areas that could host the next fire catastrophe.

Trump officials quietly move to reverse bans on toxic ‘forever chemicals’

admin — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 12:00:23 +0000

EPA bids to change chemical risk evaluations, which could expose public to higher levels of PFAS and other pollutants

The Trump administration is quietly carrying out a plan that aims to kill hundreds of bans on highly toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” and other dangerous compounds in consumer goods.

‘An exciting moment’: England’s urban and rural trees mapped for first time

admin — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 07:36:40 +0000

‘Groundbreaking’ tool aims to help tree-planting efforts and identify areas to create nature-rich habitats

England’s non-woodland trees have been mapped for the first time, using cutting-edge methods of laser detection and satellite imagery.

Tree scientists at the UK’s Forest Research agency have built a comprehensive picture of trees in urban and rural areas in a “groundbreaking” map that goes live on Saturday.

Farmers in England fear for nature after sustainable farming funding frozen

admin — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 07:00:16 +0000

Government also considering blocking more profitable farmers from a revised future scheme

Farmers fear they will no longer be able to afford to restore nature in England and reduce their carbon footprint after government funding for doing this was frozen.

My message from prison: Just Stop Oil may be ending civil disruption, but the struggle must go on | Indigo Rumbelow

admin — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 07:00:15 +0000

We forced the government to take some action, but still it closes it eyes to the impending climate collapse. A new method of confrontation is needed

Indigo Rumbelow is co-founder of Just Stop Oil. She is currently on remand in HMP Styal

Jury orders Chevron to pay more than $744m for destroying Louisiana wetlands

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 22:50:59 +0000

Verdict marks end of the first trial of 42 lawsuits filed about 12 years ago, alleging firm’s projects destroyed the regions

Chevron has been ordered to pay more than $744m in damages for destroying parts of south-east Louisiana’s coastal wetlands over the years.

Mining firm withdraws plan for UK’s first deep coalmine in 30 years

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:12:35 +0000

Move ends bid for site near Whitehaven, Cumbria after planning permission was quashed by high court

The Whitehaven coalmine’s planning application has been withdrawn, bringing an end to a process that could have created the UK’s first deep coalmine in 30 years in Cumbria.

US prepares for deadly floods with many National Weather Service offices understaffed

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:10:27 +0000

Dangerous weather comes after Trump administration job cuts left nearly half of offices with 20% vacancy rates

Donald Trump on Friday approved an emergency declaration for Kentucky as the central US braces for what experts in the region have warned could be a “generational” flooding event, as severe spring storms that have killed at least seven continue to wreak havoc.

Extension of huge offshore windfarm in Sussex approved

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:41:56 +0000

Plan to add 90 turbines to Rampion will create 4,000 jobs in construction and could power 1m homes

The government has approved plans to build an offshore windfarm capable of powering about 1m British homes before the end of the decade.

The plan to extend the Rampion offshore windfarm by adding 90 turbines off the Sussex coast is expected to add about 1.2 gigawatts of clean power for British households and businesses.

US ports to use Covid-like tests to identify illegally trafficked seafood species

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:00:52 +0000

Devices similar to those used during pandemic to be deployed to help stamp out trade in threatened fish

Last year, a colleague of Diego Cardeñosa sent the international shark trade researcher a few pieces of shark fin taken from a bowl of soup in New York City. Using a PCR test similar to those used during the Covid-19 pandemic to test for the virus, Cardeñosa was able to identify the species behind the fin as sandbar shark, an endangered species found in tropical and warm-temperate waters.