Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/www.knowaste.com en LNP orders review of Queensland’s emissions reduction target of 75% by 2035 https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/lnp-orders-review-queensland-s-emissions-reduction-target-75-2035 <p>Conservation groups condemn the move along with the government’s decision to extend the life of coal power stations</p> <ul> <li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">afternoon election email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li> </ul> <p>Queensland’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2035 could face the scrap heap, with the state energy minister ordering a review of the ambitious legislation.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/lnp-orders-review-queensland-s-emissions-reduction-target-75-2035" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 08 Apr 2025 08:42:16 +0000 admin 99529 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways? – podcast https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/streams-medicines-what-s-hiding-uk-s-waterways-podcast <p>The UK is known for its national parks: areas of outstanding natural beauty with rolling hills and crystal-clear streams and lakes. But research has shown that England’s most protected rivers are full of pharmaceuticals.</p> <p>In episode one of a two-part series, biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston tells Madeleine Finlay about the problem of chemical pollution in our waterways, and how it could be contributing to what the World Health Organization has described as ‘the silent pandemic’ – antimicrobial resistance.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/streams-medicines-what-s-hiding-uk-s-waterways-podcast" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:39 +0000 admin 99527 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Steppes and the city: how smog has become part of Mongolians’ way of life – in pictures https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/steppes-and-city-how-smog-has-become-part-mongolians-way-life-pictures <p>Harsh weather is normal in Mongolia but the climate crisis has made conditions even more extreme. As millions of animals die and age-old traditions become harder to maintain, nomadic herders are forced into towns, where coal-fired heating has led to a health crisis</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/apr/08/everyone-is-breathing-this-how-just-trying-to-stay-warm-is-killing-thousands-a-year-in-the-worlds-coldest-city">‘Everyone is breathing this’: how just trying to stay warm is killing thousands a year in the world’s coldest capital</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/steppes-and-city-how-smog-has-become-part-mongolians-way-life-pictures" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:38 +0000 admin 99528 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Clean energy powered 40% of global electricity in 2024, report finds https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/clean-energy-powered-40-global-electricity-2024-report-finds <p>Thinktank says solar has been fastest-growing energy source for last 20 years, but remains dwarfed by hydro power</p> <p>The world used clean power sources to meet more than 40% of its electricity demand last year for the first time since the 1940s, figures show.</p> <p>A report by the energy thinktank Ember said the milestone was powered by a boom in solar power capacity, which has doubled in the last three years.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/08/clean-energy-powered-40-of-global-electricity-in-2024-report-finds">Continue reading...</a></p> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 23:01:30 +0000 admin 99526 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Many native New Zealand species face threat of extinction, report finds https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/many-native-new-zealand-species-face-threat-extinction-report-finds <p>A three-yearly environmental update issues stark warning over biodiversity – and reports air pollution has improved in some areas</p> <p>A major new report on New Zealand’s environment has revealed a worrying outlook for its unique species and highlighted declining water health, while also noting some improvements in air quality.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/many-native-new-zealand-species-face-threat-extinction-report-finds" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:31:27 +0000 admin 99524 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Earless dragons were presumed extinct in Australia – now Daisy and Kip have sniffed out 13 of them https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/earless-dragons-were-presumed-extinct-australia-now-daisy-and-kip-have-sniffed-out-13- <p>Zoos Victoria wildlife detection dogs uncovered the ‘bloody gorgeous’ reptiles in return for treats and cuddles </p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/10/sign-up-for-the-clear-air-australia-environment-newsletter-with-adam-morton?CMP=cvau_sfl">Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here</a></li> </ul> <p>Wildlife detection dogs successfully sniffed out 13 critically endangered earless dragons in previously unknown burrows in Melbourne’s west, after a training program launched by Zoos Victoria in 2023.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/earless-dragons-were-presumed-extinct-australia-now-daisy-and-kip-have-sniffed-out-13-" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:00:22 +0000 admin 99525 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org When sadness strikes I remember I’m not alone in loving the wild boundless beauty of the living world | Georgina Woods https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/when-sadness-strikes-i-remember-i-m-not-alone-loving-wild-boundless-beauty-living-worl <p>Nature will reclaim its place as a terrifying quasi-divine force that cannot be mastered. I find this strangely comforting</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/when-sadness-strikes-i-remember-i-m-not-alone-loving-wild-boundless-beauty-living-worl" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:00:21 +0000 admin 99521 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Labor's home batteries policy could help people who will never take it up. Here's how | Adam Morton https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/labors-home-batteries-policy-could-help-people-who-will-never-take-it-heres-how-adam-m <p>The government’s promise to slash the cost of household batteries should be welcomed – it could drive a change that benefits everyone who uses the power grid</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/labors-home-batteries-policy-could-help-people-who-will-never-take-it-heres-how-adam-m" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:00:21 +0000 admin 99522 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Endangered far eastern curlews, and the scientist standing up for them – video https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/endangered-far-eastern-curlews-and-scientist-standing-them-video <p>Dr Amanda Lilleyman, a shorebird expert and advocate, says a defence housing project and an industrial development plan in Darwin are threatening the habitat of the critically endangered far eastern curlew.  The bird relies on undisturbed Australian shorelines to fatten up before making an epic migration to the northern hemisphere. It’s one of more than 2,000 Australian species listed as under threat in what scientists are calling an extinction crisis</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/endangered-far-eastern-curlews-and-scientist-standing-them-video" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:00:21 +0000 admin 99523 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Bid to build Europe’s first research station on Atlantic temperate rainforest in Cornwall https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/bid-build-europe-s-first-research-station-atlantic-temperate-rainforest-cornwall <p>Charity crowdfunding initial sum to build £750,000 facility on Bodmin Moor to study overlooked but biodiverse natural habitat</p> <p>Europe’s first research station for the study of Atlantic temperate rainforest is set to be built beside an ancient wood in Cornwall.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/bid-build-europe-s-first-research-station-atlantic-temperate-rainforest-cornwall" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:00:18 +0000 admin 99520 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org