Emergency requests by 27 states to pause rule requiring fossil fuel-powered plants to reduce emissions were denied
The US supreme court declined on Wednesday to put on hold a new federal rule targeting carbon pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants at the request of numerous states and industry groups in another major challenge to Joe Biden’s efforts to combat the climate crisis.
The justices denied emergency requests by West Virginia, Indiana and 25 other states – most of them Republican-led – as well as power companies and industry associations, to halt the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule while litigation continues in a lower court. The regulation, aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis, took effect on 8 July.
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Breaking Waves: Ocean News
10/16/2024 - 15:25
10/16/2024 - 13:00
Research suggests the marine animals are inhaling pollutants when they come up for air, with even rural populations affected
Microplastics have been found in dolphin breath for the first time, according to a study that suggests the marine mammals are inhaling the potentially harmful contaminants when they come up for air.
The US research team, whose preliminary findings are published in the journal, Plos One, are concerned about the potential impact of inhaled plastics on the animals’ lungs.
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10/16/2024 - 12:58
Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd organisation faces extradition to Japan after arrest in Nuuk in July
Paul Watson, the anti-whaling activist detained in Greenland and awaiting possible extradition to Japan, has appealed to Emmanuel Macron for political asylum in France.
Watson was detained in July after a Japanese request to Interpol over his confrontational tactics aimed at disrupting whaling operations in the Antarctic, and could face up to 15 years in prison if he is extradited and convicted.
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10/16/2024 - 11:29
True cause of why southern resident killer whales are on brink of extinction becomes murkier as conservationists warn of marine noise and ship traffic
Last month, the ailing southern resident killer whales of the Pacific gave researchers a rare moment of hope: a new calf was spotted swimming alongside her mother. Until that point, only one calf had appeared this year, only to die a few months later.
But by mid-October, this new calf, named L128, also appeared to succumbto poor health, appearing “lumpy and skinny” as researchers with the Center for Whale Research watched an older orca swim with the infant draped across her snout.
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10/16/2024 - 11:03
Grasslands are responding to climate change almost in real time, according to new research.
10/16/2024 - 10:58
An ecologically realistic 24-year field study of grasslands showed that elevated levels of carbon dioxide nearly tripled species losses attributed to nitrogen pollution.
10/16/2024 - 10:56
From Tasmania to Madagascar to New Guinea, islands make up just over five per cent of Earth's land yet are home to 31 per cent of the world's plant species. A new study shows that of all plants classified as threatened worldwide, more than half are unique to islands, facing risks from habitat loss, climate warming and invasive species.
10/16/2024 - 10:00
The devastation wrought by Helene and Milton could shake up priorities and bring the climate crisis more to the fore
Despite its enormous implications, the climate crisis has so far mostly been a dormant issue in the US presidential election. Some hope the devastation wrought in quick succession by two major hurricanes will shake up the priorities of American voters before a stark choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on polling day.
Last month, Hurricane Helene became one of the deadliest storms ever to hit the US, killing more than 220 people and causing billions of dollars in damage as it tore a path northwards, through the key election swing states of Georgia and North Carolina. This was followed two weeks later by Hurricane Milton, which rampaged across Florida.
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10/16/2024 - 08:11
Bailiffs working on behalf of TfL recoup £25m in 12 months from people who refuse to pay penalty charge notices
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More than 1,400 vehicles have been seized from drivers who have persistently ignored fines relating to London’s Ulez clean air zone, Transport for London has revealed, with more than £25m being recouped by bailiffs.
Bailiffs working on TfL’s behalf seized 1,429 vehicles in the last year from drivers who had repeatedly ignored penalty charge notices, with £710,000 being raised from the sale of nearly 800 of these cars.
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10/16/2024 - 06:30
Exclusive: proposal to Cop16 could see ‘funga’ get global legal consideration distinct from flora and fauna
A new era of mycelial conservation could begin this month when the UK and Chile propose that fungi should be placed alongside animals and plants as a separate realm for environmental protection.
Mushrooms, mould, mildew, yeast and lichen would all receive elevated status under the plan, which will be submitted to the UN convention on biological diversity (CBD) during the Cop16 meeting in Cali, Colombia, which opens on 21 October.
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