Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Is it safe to have a child? Americans rethink family planning ahead of Trump’s return

admin — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 13:00:26 +0000

Some in the US are reconsidering children, with fears over reproductive healthcare and the climate crisis front of mind

Chris Peterson wasn’t surprised that Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election. But he was surprised by how quickly he and his wife started asking one another: should we try to have another baby before a possible nationwide abortion ban takes effect? Or should we give up on having a second child?

Study links higher PFAS levels to toxic hazards and limited fresh-food access

admin — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 12:00:29 +0000

Findings highlight how built environment in low-income neighborhoods presents multiple PFAS exposure routes

New research aimed at identifying which US neighborhoods face increased exposure to toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” found those living near “superfund” sites and other major industrial polluters, or in areas with limited access to fresh food, generally have higher levels of the dangerous compounds in their blood.

Achieving at-scale seascape restoration by optimising cross-habitat facilitative processes

admin — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0000

npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 30 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s44183-024-00095-1

Achieving at-scale seascape restoration by optimising cross-habitat facilitative processes

UK increases World Bank contribution, boosting climate finance prospects

admin — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 17:35:37 +0000

Government puts forward £1.98bn in funding over three years, an increase of about 40% on last pledge

The UK has increased its contribution to the World Bank, in a move that will boost prospects for climate finance.

Next week, at a meeting in Seoul of the International Development Association (IDA) – the body that funds the World Bank’s support for low-income countries – the UK will put forward £1.98bn in funding over three years, an increase of about 40% on the previous pledge.

Staffordshire residents plagued by ‘the stink’ celebrate shutdown of landfill site

admin — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:35:13 +0000

Campaigners say news that Walleys Quarry in Silverdale has been told to close has given them ‘huge relief, just elation’

A landfill site in Staffordshire which has plagued residents with noxious fumes for years has been told to permanently shut down, with local campaigners hailing the news as “absolutely amazing”.

The Environment Agency said it had brought the closure of Walleys Quarry forward after “exhausting other enforcement options”, and said it had to stop accepting new waste from Friday.

Hope of breakthrough at international plastic treaty talks after two-year deadlock

admin — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:14:10 +0000

‘Important shift’ made in global attempts to address plastic pollution though final treaty text yet to be agreed

Pressure from an increasingly large bloc of countries has offered hope that a breakthrough at critical international plastic treaty talks could be in sight at last, after two years of deadlock. But some warned that fragile progress could disappear again in the last stages of negotiations over the weekend.

New powder that captures carbon could be ‘quantum leap’ for industry

admin — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:00:01 +0000

A ‘covalent organic framework’ can be used to capture carbon to store it or convert it for industrial use

An innocuous yellow powder, created in a lab, could be a new way to combat the climate crisis by absorbing carbon from the air.

Just half a pound of the stuff may remove as much carbon dioxide as a tree can, according to early tests. Once the carbon is absorbed by the powder, it can be released into safe storage or be used in industrial processes, like carbonizing drinks.

‘We’ve become an amusement park’: the Alaskan town torn apart by cruise ship tourism

admin — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 13:00:08 +0000

Juneau’s residents are divided over whether to embrace the economic benefits of millions of visitors, or reclaim their town from an industry that has reshaped it

UK could loosen EV rules to allow sales of Prius-style hybrids until 2035

admin — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 12:23:59 +0000

Ban on new petrol and diesel cars starts in 2030 but government may change rules for some models

Car manufacturers may be allowed to sell Toyota Prius-style hybrid models in the UK until 2035, as the government looks at ways to loosen electric vehicle sales rules.

Earlier this week the government launched a fast-track consultation to determine what types of electric vehicles carmakers can sell after a ban on new petrol and diesel cars, which is due to come into force from 2030.

Nature boys and girls – here’s your chance to get published in the Guardian

admin — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 09:06:07 +0000

Our wildlife series Young Country Diary is looking for articles written by children, about their winter encounters with nature

Once again, the Young Country Diary series is open for submissions! Every three months, as the UK enters a new season, we ask you to send us an article written by a child aged 8-14.

The article needs to be about a recent encounter they’ve had with nature – whether it’s a majestic deer, a busy rock pool or a yomp in the woods.