Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Labour must resist housebuilders’ pleas to weaken green standards, experts say

admin — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 16:46:05 +0000

Government urged to enforce more stringent rules amid target to build 1.5m new homes this parliament

Labour must stand firm against special pleading from housebuilders, who are likely to argue against fitting out new homes to stringent green standards, experts have warned.

Watchdog investigates Defra over authorisation of bee-killing pesticide

admin — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 16:07:07 +0000

Neonicotinoid was given emergency clearance under Conservative government in 2023 and 2024

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is being investigated by the environmental watchdog after Conservative ministers authorised a bee-killing pesticide that was banned by the EU.

Electric vehicles could help ease Australia’s energy instability by sending power back to the grid

admin — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 15:00:28 +0000

Researchers say EV models with vehicle-to-grid capability will be a huge and flexible resource able to respond to emergencies

Record-breaking heatwave grips many US states: ‘Avoid time outside of AC’

admin — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:32:52 +0000

Heat warnings or advisories in effect for states in the south and on the east coast and west coast, including evacuations at Neverland ranch

A fierce heatwave that shattered records this weekend will again grip much of the US on Monday, with more than 36 million Americans under excessive heat warnings.

Labour lifts Tories’ ‘absurd’ ban on onshore windfarms

admin — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:14:54 +0000

Rachel Reeves says she will revise planning policy and decisions should be taken nationally, not locally

Blockade Australia climate activist sentenced to three months in jail over Port of Newcastle protest

admin — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:59:49 +0000

Laura Davy, who travelled from Tasmania to take part in a protest at a coal terminal, will appeal prison sentence

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A 21-year-old woman who secured herself to a piece of machinery during a climate protest at a Newcastle coal terminal has been sentenced to three months in prison.

Trophy hunter killings spark fierce battle over the future of super tusker elephants

admin — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 04:00:26 +0000

The lifting of a long-held ban has angered conservationists, but others argue trophy hunting can support local economies and even help protect threatened species

In the borderlands of Tanzania and Kenya, the “super tuskers” roam. A combination of old age, genetic pooling and prolonged protection from poaching has created a population of bull elephants with enormous tusks, weighing up to 45kg apiece, large enough to scrape along the ground as the animals walk. To many, the bulls are “living icons” of the African savannah. They are also highly prized by trophy hunters.

Temperatures 1.5C above pre-industrial era average for 12 months, data shows

admin — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 02:00:23 +0000

Copernicus Climate Change Service says results a ‘large and continuing shift’ in the climate

The world has baked for 12 consecutive months in temperatures 1.5C (2.7F) greater than their average before the fossil fuel era, new data shows.

Temperatures between July 2023 and June 2024 were the highest on record, scientists found, creating a year-long stretch in which the Earth was 1.64C hotter than in preindustrial times.

Air pollution can decrease odds of live birth after IVF by 38%, study finds

admin — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 22:00:18 +0000

Research suggests impact of pollution begins before conception by disrupting the development of the egg

Air pollution exposure can significantly decrease the chance of a live birth after IVF treatment, according to research that deepens concern about the health impacts of toxic air on fertility.

Ecuador court rules pollution violates rights of a river running through capital

admin — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 20:42:28 +0000

Ruling, based on constitutional rights for natural features like Quito’s Machángara River, appealed by government

A ruling described by activists as “historic,” a court in Ecuador has ruled that pollution has violated the rights of a river that runs through the country’s capital, Quito.

The city government appealed the ruling, which is based on an article of Ecuador’s constitution that recognizes the rights of natural features like the Machángara River.