Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Real-world geoengineering experiments revealed by UK agency

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 10:42:58 +0000

Trials will test ways to block sunlight and slow climate crisis that threatens to trigger catastrophic tipping points

Real-world geoengineering experiments spanning the globe from the Arctic to the Great Barrier Reef are being funded by the UK government. They will test sun-reflecting particles in the stratosphere, brightening reflective clouds using sprays of seawater and pumping water on to sea ice to thicken it.

‘It’s like putting a whale in a blender’: the rise of deadly ship collisions in Chile

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 10:00:11 +0000

On average, five fatal whale strikes occur in the country’s waters each year, the highest in the world – and just a fraction of the total number killed, say researchers

Photographs by Francis Pérez

The memory of a blue whale gliding past his small boat haunts Patricio Ortiz. A deep wound disfigured the cetacean’s giant body – a big chunk had been ripped from its dorsal fin. Cargo ships are the only adversary capable of inflicting such harm on a blue whale, he says.

“Nothing can be done when they’re up against those floating monsters.”

New reports tell us cattle and sheep farming can be sustainable – don’t believe them, it’s all bull | George Monbiot

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 09:53:06 +0000

Feeding the world sustainably is an incredibly complex challenge, yet some people are trying to sell us a bucolic fairytale

Two-thirds of global heating caused by richest 10%, study suggests

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 09:00:10 +0000

Paper in Nature Climate Change journal reveals major role wealthy emitters play in driving climate extremes

The world’s wealthiest 10% are responsible for two-thirds of global heating since 1990, driving droughts and heatwaves in the poorest parts of the world, according to a study.

More than 40% of electricity used in Australia’s main power grid at start of year was renewable

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 05:53:30 +0000

Data suggests pollution from energy is falling again after previously stalling, but experts say faster growth needed to achieve Labor goal of 82% renewable electricity by 2030

Abandoned infrastructure one of the biggest polluters in the world – report

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 05:00:07 +0000

Emissions from abandoned coalmines, oil and gas wells globally are larger than any single country except China, the US and Russia

Abandoned coalmines and oil and gas wells are now one of the biggest sources of the powerful greenhouse gas methane, new data shows, and little effort is being made to clean them up.

The methane emissions from abandoned fossil fuel infrastructure now exceed those from Iran, and if considered as a country would be the fourth biggest source in the world, behind China, the US and Russia.

UK government admits almost no evidence nature protections block development

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 05:00:06 +0000

Whitehall analysis provides no data or research to support the government argument that environmental legislation holds up building

There is very little evidence that protections for nature are a blocker to development, the government has admitted in its own impact assessment of the controversial new planning and infrastructure bill.

The analysis by Whitehall officials provides no data or research to back up the government’s central argument that it is environmental legislation that holds up building.

Russian drone strike caused tens of millions worth of damage to Chornobyl

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 04:00:05 +0000

Exclusive: Attack damaged €1.5bn containment structure over nuclear reactor with repair costs likely to be borne by western governments

A Russian Shahed drone costing up to £75,000 is estimated to have inflicted tens of millions worth of damage to the site of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, according to initial assessments and engineering experts.

After braving the wilderness for 500 days, Valerie is heavier than ever. Has someone been feeding the mini dachshund?

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 01:26:34 +0000

Kangaroo Island mayor also notes a silky coat on the dog, while Kangala Wildlife Rescue says ‘possums or cats out there were grooming her’

AI has untapped potential to advance biodiversity conservation

admin — Tue, 06 May 2025 21:09:38 +0000

A new study suggests the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to rapidly analyze vast amounts of biodiversity data could revolutionize conservation efforts by enabling scientists and policymakers to make better-informed decisions.