Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Canada scientists create new method to break down toxic ‘forever chemicals’

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 21:41:35 +0000

University of British Columbia researchers develop silica-based material with ability to absorb wider range of harmful chemicals

Researchers at a Canadian university have made a breakthrough they hope will dramatically shorten the lifespan of the thousands of toxic “forever chemicals” that persist in clothing, household items and the environment.

Scientists at the University of British Columbia announced on Wednesday that they had developed a new silica-based material with ability to absorb a wider range of the harmful chemicals, and new tools to break them apart them.

UN warns of ‘draining humanity’s lifeblood’ amid worsening water scarcity

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 20:38:05 +0000

Secretary general urges countries to tackle ‘vampiric overconsumption’, water guzzling industries and climate crisis

The United Nations opened its first water conference in almost half a century in New York on Wednesday, with a plea for countries to work together to tackle overconsumption, water guzzling industries and the climate crisis – or else face more hunger, conflicts and forced migration due to worsening water scarcity.

Dieselgate: Millions of ‘extremely’ polluting cars still on Europe’s roads, says report

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 20:00:36 +0000

The research group that first exposed the scandal say ‘it’s not over’ and that governments must act

Thirteen million diesel cars producing “extreme” levels of toxic air pollution are still on the roads in Europe and the UK, according to a report, seven years after the Dieselgate scandal first exploded.

Australia politics live: Liberal MP Bridget Archer urges people not to support ‘hateful agenda’ at anti-trans protests

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 19:46:45 +0000

Member for Bass says she is ‘so proud of Tasmania’ after peaceful demonstration in support of trans rights in Hobart. Follow the day’s news

Eight dolphins die in New Jersey stranding

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 18:51:57 +0000

Rescuers unable to save cetaceans after mass stranding event at Sea Isle City

Eight dolphins have died after being stranded on a beach in New Jersey, a rehabilitation center said.

According to the New Jersey-based Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC), the pod of eight dolphins were caught in a “mass stranding event” in the state’s southernmost city, Sea Isle City, on Tuesday morning.

Rebuild or retrofit? Row breaks out over plans for Camden estate

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:00:31 +0000

London borough to replace West Kentish Town estate, but rival plan claims to have a much smaller climate impact

A conflict between saving carbon and building better homes has broken out on a groundbreaking 1960s council estate in London.

The London borough of Camden is planning to raze and replace the West Kentish Town estate, which was built almost 60 years ago. It says the homes are too small, the concrete panel buildings are dilapidated and most residents want new homes.

Decline of more than 500 species of marine life in Australian reefs ‘the tip of the iceberg’, study finds

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:00:31 +0000

Increasing ocean temperatures present ‘existential threat’ with knock-on effects for ecosystems and commercial fisheries, researchers say

Etihad accused of misleading customers with greenwashing in ‘net zero’ ads

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:00:30 +0000

Complaint made to ACCC says airline’s claims of net zero by 2050 are not feasible and company intends to increase absolute CO2 emissions

Birds of Australia: Elizabeth Gould’s stunning illustrations – in pictures

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:00:30 +0000

The Australian Museum’s new multimedia exhibition, The Birds of Australia, traces the journey of the 19th-century naturalist and ornithologist John Gould and his wife, illustrator Elizabeth Gould, as they travelled through New South Wales and recorded the unique birdlife, identifying hundreds of species new to western science

Burrowing badgers halt train services in the Netherlands

admin — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:27:36 +0000

Dutch authorities try to tempt out animals, which dig setts under quiet and raised train embankments

Leaves on the tracks, signal failures and strikes can all cause train delay headaches, but commuters in the Netherlands are facing railway havoc caused by badgers burrowing under the lines, with authorities struggling to tempt the protected animals out.