Breaking Waves: Ocean News

UK should ‘repurpose’ Belfast shipyard to make green infrastructure

admin — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 04:00:13 +0000

Thinktank says government should set up arm’s-length company to buy Harland & Wolff site, which is in administration

The UK government should set up an arm’s-length company to buy the Harland & Wolff naval shipyard in Belfast as part of a drive to repurpose arms manufacturing towards producing green infrastructure, according to a report.

Tar balls: NSW says it will ‘throw the book’ at any vessel found responsible for mystery debris that closed beaches

admin — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 02:45:15 +0000

Scientists examining contents of petroleum-based balls believed to have been caused by oil spill off Sydney coast as Bondi and some other beaches reopen

Overwhelming majority of young Americans worry about climate crisis

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 22:31:05 +0000

Survey of young people aged 16-25 from all US states shows concerns across political spectrum

The overwhelming majority of young Americans worry about the climate crisis, and more than half say their concerns about the environment will affect where they decide to live and whether to have children, new research finds.

National Gallery in London bans liquids after activists’ art attacks

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 15:11:28 +0000

Only baby formula, expressed milk and prescription medicines will be allowed with large bags also prohibited under new measures

The National Gallery has announced a raft of increased security measures after protesters attacked paintings including Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, John Constable’s The Hay Wain and Diego Velázquez’s The Rokeby Venus.

Bird flu in pheasants in England sparks concern over lax rearing rules

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 14:02:51 +0000

Campaigners call for tightening of measures around ‘wild’ pheasants which are not subject to rules to help control bird flu

The most serious outbreak of bird flu this year has been found in a group of pheasants in England, sparking criticism of the loose restrictions around their rearing.

Under the microscope: Nikon Small World photomicrography 2024 – in pictures

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 14:01:22 +0000

Spider eyes, butterfly wing scales, truffle spores and slime mould come under the spotlight in the 50th anniversary of the Nikon Small World photomicrography competition. The award celebrates photography through the light microscope, capturing the breathtaking beauty of a world hidden from the naked eye

Great white shark found washed up on Massachusetts beach

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:18:49 +0000

Scientists are working to find cause of death of shark found in Cape Cod, a popular summer tourist destination

A great white shark named Koala, measuring more than 12ft, washed up on the shore of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Wednesday.

According to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy charity, the shark was first identified by the group in 2022, and the cause of death was unknown.

Lawsuits aim to prevent ‘illegal’ hiding of toxic chemicals by US regulators

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 12:00:20 +0000

Companies often claim ‘confidential business information’ to not disclose key information about dangerous chemicals

Two lawsuits aim to stop US federal regulators and industry from “illegally” hiding basic information about toxic chemicals used in consumer products that are potentially polluting the environment and endangering public health.

Companies often claim that toxic chemicals’ health and safety data, and even their names, are “confidential business information” (CBI) because making the data public could damage their bottom line.

New York officials call for big oil to be prosecuted for fueling climate disasters

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 10:00:12 +0000

Oil majors’ conduct can constitute reckless endangerment due to fossil fuels’ effect on global heating, advocates claim

New York state prosecutors could press criminal charges against big oil for its role in fueling hurricanes and other climate disasters, lawyers wrote in a new prosecution memorandum that has been endorsed by elected officials across the state.

‘Shop like our nan!’ Call for supermarket ban on plastic packaging for fresh goods

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:00:06 +0000

Anti-waste charity Wrap wants ban on 21 items including tomatoes, apples, potatoes, bananas and carrots

Supermarkets should be banned from selling fresh produce such as bananas, apples and potatoes in plastic packaging so we can go back to shopping “like our nan”, according to the influential anti-waste charity Wrap.

It is calling for the government to ban packaging on 21 fruit and vegetables sold in supermarkets, including salad tomatoes, carrots and avocados, by 2030.