Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Toxic wildfire pollution infiltrates homes of 1bn people a year, study finds

admin — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:00:03 +0000

Dangerous indoor pollution could be tackled with air purifiers but costs are too high for many, researchers say

Toxic pollution from wildfires has infiltrated the homes of more than a billion people a year over the last two decades, according to new research.

The climate crisis is driving up the risk of wildfires by increasing heatwaves and droughts, making the issue of wildfire smoke a “pressing global issue”, scientists said.

Denmark rethinking 40-year nuclear power ban amid Europe-wide shift

admin — Wed, 14 May 2025 17:36:16 +0000

Government to analyse potential benefits of new generation of reactors

Denmark is reconsidering its 40-year ban on nuclear power in a major policy shift for the renewables-heavy country.

The Danish government will analyse the potential benefits of a new generation of nuclear power technologies after banning traditional nuclear reactors in 1985, its energy minister said.

Attempt to protect rare chalk streams in planning bill rejected by Labour MPs

admin — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:55:00 +0000

Government vetoes cross-party effort to protect threatened waterways from push to rip up environmental red tape

A cross-party attempt to protect England’s rare and threatened chalk streams in the government’s planning bill was rejected by Labour on Wednesday.

The attempt to give the globally rare ecosystems the strongest protections as irreplaceable habitats failed after all the Labour MPs on the parliamentary committee examining the draft law rejected an amendment containing the extra provision.

Exceptionally low river flows forecast across UK as drought threat grows

admin — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:32:59 +0000

Predicted dry, warm weather likely to increase pressure on rivers, whose flows are already far below normal

Exceptionally low river flows are predicted across the UK this summer as a drought becomes more likely, scientists have said.

An update from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) says dry, warm weather is expected over the next three months, putting pressure on water resources.

Firms still greenwashing in adverts after being censured, UK investigation finds

admin — Wed, 14 May 2025 11:25:14 +0000

Exclusive: Virgin Atlantic and Renault among companies that continued to publish misleading environmental claims

Companies have continued to post misleading greenwashing adverts after being censured by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA), according to an investigation.

European firms ramping up lobbying for climate action, report finds

admin — Wed, 14 May 2025 06:00:02 +0000

Research shows companies ‘aligned’ with strategies to meet climate goals have risen from 3% in 2019 to 23% in 2025

European companies are increasingly lobbying for strong climate action, research has found, in a “profound shift” that analysts say challenges the narrative that businesses see green rules as a threat to profits.

Chimpanzees use leaves to wipe bums and clean up after sex, study finds

admin — Wed, 14 May 2025 04:00:01 +0000

Research looking at hygiene and healthcare habits of the primates finds implications for understanding origin of human healthcare

Humans are not unique in having a host of hygiene and healthcare habits, researchers have found: chimpanzees also wipe their bottoms, tend each other’s wounds and even clean up after sex, according to a new study.

Chris Bowen mocks Liberals’ equivocation on ‘bare minimum’ target of net zero by 2050

admin — Wed, 14 May 2025 03:30:31 +0000

Climate change and energy minister accuses Sussan Ley’s Coalition of ‘keeping the climate wars going’ with decision to review net zero stance

Louisiana: controversial Denka plant suspends production after dire losses

admin — Tue, 13 May 2025 21:53:10 +0000

Chemical plant linked to air pollution and cancer risks in majority-Black region ‘exploring all options for the future’

A controversial chemical plant in the centre of Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” region has indefinitely suspended all production following dire financial results, the facility’s operators announced on Tuesday.

Dutch climate campaigners vow to take Shell to court again

admin — Tue, 13 May 2025 17:17:10 +0000

In a letter, Milieudefensie says it wants to stop firm developing new oil and gas projects ‘to curb crisis’

Climate campaigners in the Netherlands have promised to take Shell to court for a second time to force the energy company to stop developing new oil and gas projects.