Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Appeal court rules in favour of £3bn bailout for Thames Water

admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:52:44 +0000

Judges dismiss appeal from campaigners who argued ‘eye-watering’ cost of loan was not in public interest

The court of appeal has upheld Thames Water’s £3bn emergency bailout loan, in a decision published on Monday.

Appeal court judges dismissed an appeal from environmental campaigners and a small group of Thames creditors after a three-day hearing last week.

Ed Miliband vows to engage with China on climate after Tory ‘negligence’

admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:24:27 +0000

Energy security and net zero secretary travels to Beijing for countries’ first formal climate meetings since 2017

Ed Miliband has accused the previous Conservative government of negligence for failing to engage with China on climate issues, as he travelled to Beijing for the countries’ first formal climate meetings since 2017.

From sewage and scum to swimming in ‘blue gold’: how Switzerland transformed its rivers

admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:00:24 +0000

In the 1960s, the Swiss had some of the dirtiest water in Europe. Now, their cities boast pristine rivers and lakes – and other countries are looking to follow their lead

In the first days of spring, people flock to Lake Geneva’s broad, tree-lined promenade, their faces tilted towards the sun. Dior, Cartier and Rolex are among the high-end shopfronts overlooking the water. René Rottenberg, 75, has just finished his 400m swim through this upmarket urban jungle – a ritual he repeats up to five times a week, even in midwinter.

Coal pollution chokes Ulaanbataar – in pictures

admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:00:43 +0000

The toxic smog that settles over the Mongolian capital every winter has been a suffocating problem for well over a decade that successive governments have failed to dispel. In the depths of winter, the city’s daily average of PM 2.5 small particulate that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, can be 27 times higher than the level considered safe by the World Health Organization. Respiratory illness cases have risen steadily, with pneumonia the second leading cause of death for children under five

The Guardian view on microplastics: harmful pollution must be curbed | Editorial

admin — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 17:25:23 +0000

New evidence of particles damaging crops strengthens the case for an international plastics treaty

Underwater ‘doorbell’ helps scientists catch coral-eating fish in Florida

admin — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 13:00:18 +0000

Researchers use innovative cameras to identify fish species hindering coral reef restoration

Marine scientists in Florida working to help reverse a calamitous decades-long decline in coral reefs caught fishy “porch pirates” in the act with an innovative underwater doorbell-style surveillance camera.

Line 5, a Trump donor, is profiting off a pipeline deal threatening pollution

admin — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 12:00:18 +0000

Trump administration accused of ‘quid pro quo’ for fast-tracking controversial fossil fuel proposal in Michigan

Donald Trump’s administration is being accused by activists of a quid pro quo as it attempts to fast-track a controversial fossil fuel pipeline proposal in Michigan that would in part be built by a donor with deep financial ties to the president.

Thousands of fish die in cyclone-hit northern rivers amid reports of eels and crabs fleeing ‘blackwater’

admin — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 04:01:02 +0000

Decomposing organic matter in catchments flooded by Cyclone Alfred removed oxygen from water, suffocating aquatic life

Big oil gathers in Texas – but beneath the bravado, Trump-induced anxiety

admin — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 13:00:50 +0000

Energy summit in Houston makes clear US is nowhere close to curbing fossil fuels, but tariffs are causing disquiet

This week, the world’s most influential fossil-fuels conference, which has been dubbed the “Coachella of oil”, featured an industry displaying outward glee but barely managing to conceal its anxiety.

From profiteroles to moles: project uncovers gulls’ surprising diet

admin — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 07:00:45 +0000

Salford University findings show gulls are predators – not just opportunists snatching people’s snacks

In pictures: Octopus? Ice cream? Is there anything gulls don’t eat?

Gulls are renowned for snatching chips from tourists’ hands, but a scientific project has revealed the greedy birds also like to tuck into moles and quench their thirst with seal milk.