Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Polar geoengineering dismissed as ‘unimaginably expensive’ and ‘dangerous’

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:00:54 +0000

Underwater curtains and ice thickening divert attention from cutting fossil fuel use, warns climate research group

Proposals to fight the impact of the climate crisis at the poles, from giant underwater curtains to scattering glass beads across the ice, have been dismissed by a group of scientists as an “unimaginably expensive” and “dangerous” distraction.

South Australians with asthma warned of ‘potential risk’ of toxic algal bloom as Senate inquiry begins

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:06:58 +0000

SA Health says people should avoid discoloured foam but not avoid the beach because of the benefits to mental and physical health

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Top 10 most-sighted butterflies in 2025’s Big Butterfly Count – in pictures

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:06 +0000

The results of Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count are in, and while the numbers are a vast improvement on 2024’s record lows, the charity has warned that urgent measures are still needed to reverse long-term decline

Britain’s butterflies bounce back in annual count – but only to average levels

Britain’s butterflies bounce back in annual count – but only to average levels

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:04 +0000

Biggest insect survey in world finds UK’s hot summer led to increase in numbers of many species, but overall trends are still concerning

Top 10 most-sighted butterflies in 2025’s Big Butterfly Count – in pictures

SA algal bloom shows new criteria for climate disasters needed, Hanson-Young says – video

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 03:05:34 +0000

The Greens senator says the fact South Australia's algal bloom is yet to be declared a national disaster reflects the need for a new set of criteria for climate disasters, as the Senate begins an inquiry into the toxic event.'If this had been on the northern beaches of Sydney or on Bondi, would it have taken so long for the government to respond?', Hanson-Young said. 'Frankly, I think it probably wouldn't have'

Bottom trawling to continue in English protected waters, government rules

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 23:00:09 +0000

Defra says blanket ban on ‘destructive’ fishing practice disproportionate as MPs urge minister to reconsider

Seabed bottom trawling, described by the chair of a Commons committee as a “destructive” fishing practice, will continue in English marine protected areas (MPAs), the government has announced.

Despite having official designation as protected areas for creatures including dolphins, puffins and seahorses, damaging industrial methods are still allowed to take place.

Survivor’s island: coyotes seen paddling across deep San Francisco Bay waters

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:29:46 +0000

Researchers studying the phenomenon found in 2024 there were between 14 to 17 coyotes on Angel island

For nearly a decade, Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay has been home to what the state parks describes as a “budding population” of coyotes. Late last month park workers got a fascinating glimpse at the animal’s journey to the island.

Disposable face masks used during Covid have left chemical timebomb, research suggests

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:32:59 +0000

An estimated 129bn were being used every month around the world at height of pandemic, with no recycling stream

The surge in the use of disposable face masks during the Covid pandemic has left a chemical timebomb that could harm humans, animals and the environment, research suggests.

Billions of tonnes of plastic face masks created to protect people from the spread of the virus are now breaking down, releasing microplastics and chemical additives including endocrine disruptors, the research found.

Science is under siege from weaponised disinformation – posing a threat to human civilisation | Michael Mann and Peter Hotez

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:00:49 +0000

From Covid misinformation to climate denialism, understanding the divergent paths of Australia and the US can help us fight the powerful forces that threaten our world

As two scientists who lived through Australia’s black summer bushfires and the Covid-19 crisis in the United States, we have seen firsthand how science in modern societies is under siege from an even more insidious “antiscience virus” of weaponised disinformation that undermines our ability to confront these crises.

Floods could hit England while country is still in drought, forecasters say

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:35:31 +0000

Downpours threatening lives and property this autumn will not provide respite from months of dry weather

Floods could hit England while the country is still in drought, forecasters have said.

Heavy downpours threatening lives and property could hit this autumn, with the rain devastating some areas but still not providing respite from months of dry weather that have left rivers, groundwater and reservoirs drained.