Breaking Waves: Ocean News

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. A quarter of the world’s population still does not have access to safe drinking water while half lacks basic sanitation, and despite some progress in recent years, the climate crisis is making the situation worse. Continue reading...

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 Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast Mark Butler says part of the issue is that vaping was allowed to “explode” so it’s a case of putting the genie back in the bottle – but he says the government is determined to do it, so the tobacco industry doesn’t win. A parent told us last week that they found in their very young child’s pencil case, not a 16/17-year-old but a very young child’s pencil case, a vape that was deliberately designed to look like a highlighter pen. I mean, these things are insidious. They are causing very real damage not just to the health of very young children but to behavioural issues at schools as well. This is now the biggest behavioural issue in primary schools. I mean, this is this is an industry shamelessly marketing, not just to teenagers but to young children. When you look at these things, with pink unicorns on them and bubblegum flavors, these aren’t marketed to adults. This is an industry that is trying to create a new generation of nicotine addicts so they get around all of the hard work. Our country and other countries have done over recent decades to stamp out smoking. Continue reading...

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. Continue reading...

Complaint made to ACCC says airline’s claims of net zero by 2050 are not feasible and company intends to increase absolute CO2 emissions Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast Etihad has been accused of misleading customers through advertising that spruiked its emissions reductions plans, with Australia’s consumer watchdog now considering action against the airline amid its crackdown on greenwashing. Aviation emissions advocacy group Flight Free Australia alleged in the complaint that two Etihad advertisements that appeared on digital advertising banners during an A-League football match between Melbourne City and Adelaide United at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on 15 February last year were false or misleading. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...