Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves en Top 10 most-sighted butterflies in 2025’s Big Butterfly Count – in pictures https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/top-10-most-sighted-butterflies-2025-s-big-butterfly-count-pictures <p>The results of Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count are in, and while the numbers are a vast improvement on 2024’s record lows, the charity has warned that urgent measures are still needed to reverse long-term decline</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/09/britains-butterflies-bounce-back-in-annual-count-but-only-to-average-levels">Britain’s butterflies bounce back in annual count – but only to average levels</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/top-10-most-sighted-butterflies-2025-s-big-butterfly-count-pictures" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:06 +0000 admin 101193 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Britain’s butterflies bounce back in annual count – but only to average levels https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/britain-s-butterflies-bounce-back-annual-count-only-average-levels <p>Biggest insect survey in world finds UK’s hot summer led to increase in numbers of many species, but overall trends are still concerning</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/sep/08/top-10-most-sighted-butterflies-in-2025s-big-butterfly-count-in-pictures">Top 10 most-sighted butterflies in 2025’s Big Butterfly Count – in pictures</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/britain-s-butterflies-bounce-back-annual-count-only-average-levels" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:04 +0000 admin 101192 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org SA algal bloom shows new criteria for climate disasters needed, Hanson-Young says – video https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/sa-algal-bloom-shows-new-criteria-climate-disasters-needed-hanson-young-says-video <p>The Greens senator says the fact South Australia's algal bloom is yet to be declared a national disaster reflects the need for a new set of criteria for climate disasters, as the Senate begins an inquiry into the toxic event.'If this had been on the northern beaches of Sydney or on Bondi, would it have taken so long for the government to respond?', Hanson-Young said. 'Frankly, I think it probably wouldn't have'</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/sa-algal-bloom-shows-new-criteria-climate-disasters-needed-hanson-young-says-video" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 09 Sep 2025 03:05:34 +0000 admin 101194 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Bottom trawling to continue in English protected waters, government rules https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/bottom-trawling-continue-english-protected-waters-government-rules <p>Defra says blanket ban on ‘destructive’ fishing practice disproportionate as MPs urge minister to reconsider</p> <p>Seabed bottom trawling, described by the chair of a Commons committee as a “destructive” fishing practice, will continue in English marine protected areas (MPAs), the government has announced.</p> <p>Despite having official designation as protected areas for creatures including dolphins, puffins and seahorses, damaging industrial methods are still allowed to take place.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/bottom-trawling-continue-english-protected-waters-government-rules" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 23:00:09 +0000 admin 101191 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Survivor’s island: coyotes seen paddling across deep San Francisco Bay waters https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/survivor-s-island-coyotes-seen-paddling-across-deep-san-francisco-bay-waters <p>Researchers studying the phenomenon found in 2024 there were between 14 to 17 coyotes on Angel island</p> <p>For nearly a decade, Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay has been home to what the state parks describes as a “budding population” of coyotes. Late last month park workers got a fascinating glimpse at the animal’s journey to the island.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/survivor-s-island-coyotes-seen-paddling-across-deep-san-francisco-bay-waters" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:29:46 +0000 admin 101190 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Disposable face masks used during Covid have left chemical timebomb, research suggests https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/disposable-face-masks-used-during-covid-have-left-chemical-timebomb-research-suggests <p>An estimated 129bn were being used every month around the world at height of pandemic, with no recycling stream</p> <p>The surge in the use of disposable face masks during the Covid pandemic has left a chemical timebomb that could harm humans, animals and the environment, research suggests.</p> <p>Billions of tonnes of plastic face masks created to protect people from the spread of the virus are now breaking down, releasing microplastics and chemical additives including endocrine disruptors, the research found.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/disposable-face-masks-used-during-covid-have-left-chemical-timebomb-research-suggests" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:32:59 +0000 admin 101187 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Science is under siege from weaponised disinformation – posing a threat to human civilisation | Michael Mann and Peter Hotez https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/science-under-siege-weaponised-disinformation-posing-threat-human-civilisation-michael <p>From Covid misinformation to climate denialism, understanding the divergent paths of Australia and the US can help us fight the powerful forces that threaten our world</p> <p>As two scientists who lived through Australia’s black summer bushfires and the Covid-19 crisis in the United States, we have seen firsthand how science in modern societies is under siege from an even more insidious “antiscience virus” of weaponised disinformation that undermines our ability to confront these crises.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/science-under-siege-weaponised-disinformation-posing-threat-human-civilisation-michael" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:00:49 +0000 admin 101188 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Floods could hit England while country is still in drought, forecasters say https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/floods-could-hit-england-while-country-still-drought-forecasters-say <p>Downpours threatening lives and property this autumn will not provide respite from months of dry weather</p> <p>Floods could hit England while the country is still in drought, forecasters have said.</p> <p>Heavy downpours threatening lives and property could hit this autumn, with the rain devastating some areas but still not providing respite from months of dry weather that have left rivers, groundwater and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/12/england-reservoirs-lowest-level-for-decade-hosepipe-bans">reservoirs drained</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/floods-could-hit-england-while-country-still-drought-forecasters-say" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:35:31 +0000 admin 101186 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Hopes rise for green economy boom at Africa Climate Summit https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hopes-rise-green-economy-boom-africa-climate-summit <p>Renewables are thriving, with Africa breaking solar energy records – but action is needed to plug financing gap</p> <p>The first signs of a takeoff of Africa’s green economy are raising hopes that a transformation of the continent’s fortunes may be under way, driven by solar power and an increase in low-carbon investment.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hopes-rise-green-economy-boom-africa-climate-summit" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 10:38:22 +0000 admin 101185 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Giant cuttlefish! They are in danger and scientists are going to save them with … bubbles! | First Dog on the Moon https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/giant-cuttlefish-they-are-danger-and-scientists-are-going-save-them-bubbles-first-dog- <p>The only other option was to go back in time and do something about climate change but time travel hasn’t been invented yet </p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/16/-sp-first-dog-on-the-moon-subscribe-by-email">Sign up here to get an email</a> whenever First Dog cartoons are published</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://firstshoponthemoon.com/">Get all your needs met at the First Dog shop</a> if what you need is First Dog merchandise and prints</p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/giant-cuttlefish-they-are-danger-and-scientists-are-going-save-them-bubbles-first-dog-" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:24:34 +0000 admin 101184 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org