Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Hippos might fly: UK research discovers animal can get airborne

admin — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 11:00:06 +0000

Analysis shows hippos get all four feet off the ground at once up to 15% of the time when at full pelt

It takes a scientific mind to see the grunting hulk of a hippopotamus and wonder whether, given sufficient motivation, such an improbable beast might ever become airborne.

And so to researchers at the Royal Veterinary College in North Mymms, Hertfordshire, whose painstaking examination of footage of the creatures revealed that when the hefty herbivores reach top speed they do indeed take off.

‘It’s nonsensical’: how Trump is making climate the latest culture war

admin — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:00:06 +0000

The ex-president is ranting about low water pressure and attacking mundane rules and technologies – and Republicans in Congress are now following his lead

When Donald Trump embarked upon a lengthy complaint at a recent rally about how long it takes to wash his “beautiful luxuriant hair” due to his shower’s low water pressure, he highlighted the expanding assault he and Republicans are launching against even the most obscure environmental policies – a push that’s starting to influence voters.

Blackbird numbers plummet in south of England amid potential spread of virus

admin — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:00:02 +0000

Experts believe songbird is suffering from Usutu virus, first detected in UK in 2020

Beloved by Shakespeare and the Beatles, the blackbird and its sweet song have captured the imagination of Britons for centuries.

But now the songbird is facing decline, and the British public has been asked to contribute to a survey by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to find out why.

Queensland coalmine fire a ‘disaster’ for climate say environmental groups

admin — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 23:43:17 +0000

The fire at Anglo American’s Grosvenor coalmine in Moranbah broke out after methane ignited

Google’s emissions climb nearly 50% in five years due to AI energy demand

admin — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:20:03 +0000

Tech giant’s goal of reducing climate footprint at risk as it grows increasingly reliant on energy-hungry data centres

Google’s goal of reducing its climate footprint is in jeopardy as it relies on more and more energy-hungry data centres to power its new artificial intelligence products. The tech giant revealed Tuesday that its greenhouse gas emissions have climbed 48% over the past five years.

Exploring the chemical space of the exposome: How far have we gone?

admin — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 17:55:28 +0000

Scientists have taken on the daunting challenge of mapping all the chemicals around us. They take inventory of the available science and conclude that currently a real pro-active chemical management is not feasible. To really get a grip on the vast and expanding chemical universe, they advocate the use of machine learning and AI, complementing existing strategies for detecting and identifying all molecules we are exposed to.

‘It’s the future of sugar’: new technology feeds Vermont maple syrup boom amid climate crisis

admin — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:00:42 +0000

The season to tap trees is now earlier and longer, but new processes and generations are helping the industry thrive

On a warm May Monday, more than three dozen high school students took to the forest behind a former dairy barn at Vermont State University in Randolph.

In teams of four, they ran blue plastic tubing from tree to tree, racing to connect the tubes across three trees in 30 minutes. One student leaned back and pulled it taut with his body weight while another secured tube to tree. Quickly, they dashed to the next in what appears to be a twisted tug-of-war.

Shell to pause construction of huge biodiesel plant in Rotterdam

admin — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:55:19 +0000

Technical difficulties blamed for new blow to firm’s sustainable energy plans

Shell has paused the construction of one of Europe’s largest biofuel plants which was expected to convert waste into green jet fuel and biodiesel by the end of the decade.

The oil company said on Tuesday it would “temporarily pause” work on one of its biggest energy transition projects to address the technical difficulties that have delayed its progress so far.

Ruling paves way for businesses and public to sue water firms over sewage

admin — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:19:48 +0000

Decision by supreme court means water companies could be sued for damage caused by dumping of human waste

Water companies could face a spate of legal challenges by people and businesses affected by sewage pollution after a ruling that United Utilities could be sued by a private company for damage caused by the dumping of human waste.

Lawyers said it was a “watershed moment” as the courts had previously ruled that penalties for water companies were a matter for the regulator, and companies could not sue firms for damage caused to their property by sewage pollution.

A third of land set aside for restoration in worse state than before, Australian offset audit finds

admin — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:00:43 +0000

Federal review sparks fresh warnings that biodiversity scheme is increasing risk of animals going extinct