Breaking Waves: Ocean News

On almost every level the chancellor’s decision to expand the London airport looks naive, if not foolish For 20 years, politicians, industry leaders and campaigners have fought in courts, parliament and public meetings over the idea of building a new runway for Heathrow. For some, a third runway would not only boost passenger numbers at the airport but would be a symbol of the country’s determination to seek economic regeneration. For others, it would demonstrate, in vivid terms, our complete failure to understand the grim, global threat posed by further increasing carbon emissions. Last week, Rachel Reeves chose to enter the fray. Remarkably, for a supposed green chancellor, she elected to back the project and seek the expansion of Heathrow to raise its annual passenger capacity by 50% to about 140 million. “A third runway at Heathrow would unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports and make the UK more open and more connected,” she claimed. It was a bold move. It is unlikely history will view it as a sensible or justifiable one, however. On almost every level – political, local or environmental – her decision looks naive, if not foolish. Continue reading...

Even brief exposure to particulate matter found to impede selective attention and emotional recognition A person’s ability to focus on everyday tasks is affected by short-term exposure to air pollution, a study has found. Researchers analysed data from cognitive tests completed by 26 participants before and after they were exposed either to high levels of particulate matter (PM) using smoke from a candle, or clean air for an hour. Continue reading...

More than 1,000 staff at Devon-based group will get about £1,000 each after profits more than doubled Employees of Riverford will share in a payout of £1.3m after the organic vegetable box company more than doubled profits last year. More than 1,000 staff at the Devon-based group, which began making deliveries from an old Citroën in 1993, will receive about £1,000 each as the employee-owned company nearly tripled its annual payout to workers. Continue reading...

Chicken used in dog treat was cultivated from single sample of cells taken from one egg, says manufacturer Meatly A dog treat made from lab-grown meat has gone on sale at Pets at Home in a move the retailer claims is a world first. Chick Bites are made from plant-based ingredients combined with cultivated meat, which is produced by growing cells and does not require the raising or slaughter of animals. Continue reading...