Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en Germany’s climate U-turn is the worst possible response to the oil shock https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/germany-s-climate-u-turn-worst-possible-response-oil-shock <p>Prices at the pump have leapt since the start of the conflict – but clinging to fossil fuels will only prolong the pain</p> <p>The car is perhaps the closest thing Germany has to a national symbol. For this reason, the success of the auto industry and the happiness of motorists has long been a barometer for the standing of the Federal Republic.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/germany-s-climate-u-turn-worst-possible-response-oil-shock" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:37 +0000 admin 103198 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Iran war may cause food shortages in Africa, world’s largest fertiliser firm says https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/iran-war-may-cause-food-shortages-africa-world-s-largest-fertiliser-firm-says <p>Yara CEO warns of global auction that would leave poorest countries scrambling for supplies they can ill afford</p> <p>The Iran war could have “dramatic consequences”, causing food shortages and price rises in some of Africa’s poorest and most vulnerable communities, the head of the world’s largest fertiliser company has said.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/iran-war-may-cause-food-shortages-africa-world-s-largest-fertiliser-firm-says" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:37 +0000 admin 103197 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Gen Z leads birdwatching boom as more Britons reach for the binoculars https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/gen-z-leads-birdwatching-boom-more-britons-reach-binoculars <p>Birdwatching no longer niche, old-fashioned pastime, says RSPB as research shows 47% increase in hobby since 2018</p> <p>Birdwatching is the second fastest growing hobby for generation Z after jewellery making, according to a multiyear study of more than 24,000 people.</p> <p>Almost 750,000 gen Zers (16 to 29-year-olds) in Britain regularly enjoy watching birds, a -1,088% increase since 2018, according to research by Fifty5Blue published by the RSPB.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/gen-z-leads-birdwatching-boom-more-britons-reach-binoculars" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:01:30 +0000 admin 103196 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘Don’t fall!’: foil boarders describe hair-raising shark chase caught on video off California coast https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/don-t-fall-foil-boarders-describe-hair-raising-shark-chase-caught-video-california-coa <p>Foil boarders were pursued by shark – likely a great white – off Santa Barbara before it lost interest and swam away</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/don-t-fall-foil-boarders-describe-hair-raising-shark-chase-caught-video-california-coa" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:26:58 +0000 admin 103195 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Democrats say EPA head’s budget cut proposal ‘reads like climate change deniers’ manifesto’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/democrats-say-epa-head-s-budget-cut-proposal-reads-climate-change-deniers-manifesto <p>Lee Zeldin claims before Senate that Trump administration plan will make Environmental Protection Agency ‘more efficient’</p> <p>Senate Democrats accused the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Trump administration</a> of abandoning the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/epa">Environmental Protection Agency</a>’s mission to protect human health and the environment at a congressional hearing Wednesday, slamming agency leadership over a proposal to cut its budget in half.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/democrats-say-epa-head-s-budget-cut-proposal-reads-climate-change-deniers-manifesto" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:20:59 +0000 admin 103193 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Australians will pay more if Albanese prioritises fossil fuel projects, former oil and gas leaders warn https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/australians-will-pay-more-if-albanese-prioritises-fossil-fuel-projects-former-oil-and- <p><strong>Exclusive:</strong> Government should accelerate clean energy to protect consumers from ongoing price shocks, they say</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/may/01/alice-springs-anthony-albanese-labor-angus-taylor-coalition-gaza-flotilla-politics-updates-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/australians-will-pay-more-if-albanese-prioritises-fossil-fuel-projects-former-oil-and-" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:00:21 +0000 admin 103194 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘Historic breakthrough’: Colombia climate talks end with hopes raised for fossil fuel phaseout https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/historic-breakthrough-colombia-climate-talks-end-hopes-raised-fossil-fuel-phaseout <p>Nearly 60 countries back voluntary roadmaps to wean world off coal, oil and gas, at conference prompted by frustration with UN climate summits</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/apr/30/bank-of-england-expected-hold-interest-rates-noon-assesses-fallout-iran-war-live-updates">Business live – latest updates</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/30/europe-germany-troops-trump-threat-iran-eu-france-latest-news-updates">Europe live – latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/historic-breakthrough-colombia-climate-talks-end-hopes-raised-fossil-fuel-phaseout" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:15:24 +0000 admin 103191 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Protecting lions and people: the biologist dedicated to tackling human-wildlife conflict https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/protecting-lions-and-people-biologist-dedicated-tackling-human-wildlife-conflict <p>Moreangels Mbizah has blazed a trail in Zimbabwe as the first black African woman to found a conservation organisation in the country </p> <p>The turning point for Moreangels Mbizah came in 2014. The conservation biologist was in Hwange national park in Zimbabwe, scanning the savannah to monitor the movements of lions for her zoology PhD research.</p> <p>The GPS signal told her something was wrong. One of the lions had strayed into a nearby village, putting itself and the local community at risk. Mbizah and her team took off to try to herd it back into its habitat.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/protecting-lions-and-people-biologist-dedicated-tackling-human-wildlife-conflict" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:00:14 +0000 admin 103192 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Revealed: British ad firm’s billion-dollar greenwash of US oil industry https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/revealed-british-ad-firm-s-billion-dollar-greenwash-us-oil-industry <p>WPP accused of breaching its climate policy after report reveals firm linked to twice as much oil advertising as US rivals</p> <p>A British advertising conglomerate has helped the oil companies ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell and BP spend an estimated $1bn (£740m) on adverts in the US since the 2015 Paris agreement to tackle the climate crisis, a <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28083184-desmog-april-2026-report-on-ad-agency-exposure-to-us-oil-industry/">report</a> shows.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/revealed-british-ad-firm-s-billion-dollar-greenwash-us-oil-industry" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:00:09 +0000 admin 103190 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Crack and crime to confident and qualified: is the future about to change for Rhyl’s youth? https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/crack-and-crime-confident-and-qualified-future-about-change-rhyl-s-youth <p>The Welsh seaside resort has already seen a fall in offending and drug use, now a £20m investment and a fresh approach to building job skills is bringing new opportunities for under-25s</p> <p>Killing time playing pool at the West Rhyl youth club, friends Sienna, 19, and Jake, 26, are unanimous when asked what a tour of the north Wales seaside town should look like. “The first place I’d show anyone is ‘Crackhead Circle’,” Sienna says.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/crack-and-crime-confident-and-qualified-future-about-change-rhyl-s-youth" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:00:09 +0000 admin 103189 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org