Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Plan unveiled to increase share of land farmed organically in England to 10%

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:49:15 +0000

Government says ambition for 2036 will be good for food and climate resilience, but concerns remain over funding

The government has set an ambition to increase the share of English land farmed organically to 10% by 2036, but concerns remain over how the transition will be funded.

Currently, just 3.4% of England’s agricultural land is farmed organically, one of the smallest shares in Europe. France, for example, farms 10.4% of its land organically, and aims to increase this to 18% by 2027.

Mont Blanc, the ‘roof of Europe’, loses more than a metre of height in a year

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:33:52 +0000

Peak of French mountain now 4,807 metres high and fluctuates year by year due to changes in Alpine climate

Europe’s highest mountain shrank by more than a metre last year. The peak of Mont Blanc in France now stands 4,807.47 metres above sea level, a team of surveyors said on Wednesday, putting “the roof of Europe” 1.29 metres lower than in 2025.

Is it really ‘madness’ to account for emissions from fossil fuels burned overseas? The Coalition sure thinks so |Temperature Check

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:14:43 +0000

The emissions might occur elsewhere, but they generate global harm that scientists can now quantify

The Coalition has come up with the perfect solution to deal with the climate pollution from when Australian fossil fuels are burned overseas.

We should either just pretend they don’t exist, or ignore the reason why people are concerned about them, even if those people include a majority of high court judges or the international court of justice.

I work for a major insurer. Much of my industry is fudging the numbers in the face of the climate crisis | Anonymous

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:00:01 +0000

Insurers are taking on more risk than they should. If – or when – a major disaster hits, the catastrophe will have far-reaching consequences

I work for a major insurer, assessing the risk posed by natural disasters on properties around the world, from family homes to schools, government offices and multibillion-dollar commercial centres. The world is facing greater risk than ever from extreme weather. We are not prepared – and that inaction could have profound consequences for the global financial system.

Wildlife photographer of the year 2026 winners – in pictures

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:41:54 +0000

A selection of the winning images from this year’s competition across topics ranging from underwater to urban wildlife, and photojournalism to mammal behaviour. The overall winner is Federico Veronesi of Italy for his powerful image of an elephant carrying a dead calf

The winning photographs will be showcased at the Natural History Museum in London from 16 October 2026 until July 2027

Scale back on hake and coley, seafood charity tells shoppers

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:00:48 +0000

Declining stocks and increased fishing pressure have led to lower sustainability ratings for two popular cod alternatives

UK shoppers have previously been urged to avoid UK-caught cod and to buy European hake or coley instead – but now these fish are in trouble, too.

Pollinating insects flock to plants gardeners might think of as ‘weeds’

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:00:47 +0000

Citizen scientists on UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme recorded insect visits to flowers during 10-minute surveys

Ubiquitous urban plants often derided as “weeds” are the most attractive to pollinating insects.

The autumn blooms of common ivy, rich in pollen and nectar, are the most visited by insects including bees and butterflies, according to an eight-year study.

Businesses could be barred from non-essential water use amid supply threat

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:00:48 +0000

Golf clubs, private schools and car washes may face tighter rules from water companies as England’s drought continues

Three water companies are seeking to impose severe restrictions on businesses as the drought continues across most of England, putting rivers and wildlife under huge pressure.

Golf clubs and private schools could be barred from using mains water to irrigate playing fields and courses, and commercial car washes stopped from operating, under “non-essential use bans” being sought by the companies.

Court overturns Tanya Plibersek’s protection order which stalled controversial NSW goldmine

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 01:58:38 +0000

Federal court overrules decision by former environment minister for the McPhillamys goldmine development at Blayney

Follow our Australian politics live blog for latest updates

‘Shocking and sobering’: UK bird populations fall to lowest level on record

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:08:25 +0000

Nearly half of species are in decline, with farmland birds and seabirds the worst hit, conservation bodies say

Wild bird populations in the UK have fallen to their lowest level since records began, figures show, with nearly half of species in decline.

Figures produced by leading nature conservation bodies for the government show that average populations across 132 native breeding species fell by 19% between 1970 and 2025, with farmland birds and seabirds the worst hit in recent years.