Breaking Waves: Ocean News

12/04/2023 - 17:30
Motion will force Tory MPs to say whether bonuses can still be paid despite poor state of English and Welsh waterways Labour aims to embarrass the government by forcing Conservative MPs to vote on whether Ofwat should have the power to ban water bosses’ bonuses until they clean up waterways in England and Wales. Water suppliers have been repeatedly criticised for paying out large sums to bosses who have presided over leaky infrastructure and sewage dumping. Senior executives from five of the 11 water companies that deal with sewage took bonuses this year, while the rest declined after public outrage. Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 17:02
As the climate warms, preserving forest cover will be increasingly important for wildlife conservation, finds a study of North American mammals.
12/04/2023 - 16:46
Altivia Chemicals said personnel have contained leak of phosgene as city lifts shelter-in-place order that affected nearby plants Eight people were taken to a hospital for treatment on Monday after a toxic gas leak at Altivia Chemicals’ plant in La Porte, Texas, local officials said. An update on their condition was not immediately available. The city canceled a shelter-in-place order in the afternoon that had affected several nearby industrial plants, officials said. Reuters contributed to this report Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 15:28
This blog is now closed. Third freed immigration detainee arrested after he allegedly breached bail conditions RBA interest rates: Australian mortgage holders spared pre-Christmas rise from Reserve Bank Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast Marles says Australians should express views on Israel-Hamas conflict ‘in a safe and a peaceful way’ The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, is speaking to ABC RN. He is asked whether Australia is “a safe place for Jews right now”, amid a discussion of the Israel-Hamas war. [I understand] many of the Jewish community are finding this to be a very difficult time and it’s really important for those in the Jewish community, or those in Islamic community, that Australians are looking after everyone. That has to be the basis upon which everyone expresses their legitimate rights to freedom of expression, but to do that in a safe and a peaceful way. It’s completely arbitrary. For many families, relying on two incomes to get by is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Parents are trapped in a cycle of being unable to find a job without childcare, and unable to afford childcare without a job. The fact that we have a policy that directly exacerbates the unaffordability of childcare and in turn prevents parents – predominantly women – who want to work from supporting their families and building their careers is unacceptable. Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 12:16
The Cop28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, held a surprise press conference at which he said comments he made about the phasing out of fossil fuels were 'misrepresented'. The Guardian reported how Jaber had remarked that there was 'no scientific evidence' indicating a phase-out of fossil fuels was needed to restrict global heating to 1.5C. Jaber, who is CEO of the UAE's state oil company Adnoc, defended the comments he made during a virtual meeting on 21 November with the former Irish president and UN climate envoy Mary Robinson. Jaber said: 'Let’s just clarify where I stand on the science … I honestly think there is some confusion out there and misrepresentation' Cop28 live – latest updates Cop28 president forced into defence of fossil fuel phaseout claims Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 11:00
Co-leader of EU delegation at Cop28 says climate should be at centre of all financial and economic decisions Cop28 live – latest updates If fossil fuel companies are serious about tackling the climate crisis, they could contribute to funds for poor and vulnerable countries stricken by its effects, Spain’s environment minister has said. Teresa Ribera, a co-leader of the EU delegation at the Cop28 UN climate summit in Dubai, said: “Private corporates should be stepping into a different development model in vulnerable countries. We went through some language on that that was broadly supported by all [EU] member states, which is: why not just start by an invitation to the oil and gas companies to dedicate part of the profits to invest in sustainable development of the most vulnerable countries. And that’s on a voluntary basis [at first], because why not?” Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 09:00
‘The fact that we’re still having to attend meetings – four years down the track – is just a disgrace. It is so depressing,’ says one local Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our morning and afternoon news emails,free app or daily news podcast At times, the stench has roused Nicole Power from her sleep. The St Albans resident likens it to the smell of burning chemicals. “It get rights down in my throat,” she said. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 07:33
Sultan Al Jaber, who is state oil CEO, had said phase-out of fossil fuels would take world ‘back into caves’ Cop28 live – latest updates The president of Cop28 has been forced into a fierce defence of his views on climate science, after the Guardian revealed his comment that there was “no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what’s going to achieve 1.5C”. Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company, Adnoc, said at a hastily arranged press conference at the summit in Dubai: “I respect the science in everything I do. I have repeatedly said that it is the science that has guided the principles or strategy as Cop28 president. We have always built everything, every step of the way, on the science, on the facts.” Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 07:10
The Cop28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, held a press conference after the Guardian's report on his comments claiming 'there is no science out there, that says the phase-out of fossil fuels is what's going to achieve 1.5C'. Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company, Adnoc, said he had been misrepresented and gave an impassioned defence of his background and belief in science. He then went on to say 'the phase-down and the phase-out of fossil fuels, is essential' and accused those who reported his initial comments of 'undermining' his message Cop28 live – latest updates Cop28 president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 06:58
Liberty condemns ‘staggering and shocking’ statistic as anti-protest legislation is enacted Police have made at least 630 arrests of peaceful protesters campaigning against new oil and gas production in the past month, as the authorities exploit new powers under the government’s anti-protest legislation. The mass arrests of more than 470 people – some individuals were arrested more than once – was condemned by civil rights group Liberty as “staggering and shocking”. Continue reading...