Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Democrats call for freeze on gas exports as energy prices soar for US households

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:00:17 +0000

Families are ‘struggling with cost of heating their homes’, letter says as Trump repeatedly pledges to slash utility bills

As energy prices for US households soar nationwide, Democratic and progressive lawmakers are calling on the energy department to stop increasing exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

US ‘bullying’ could scupper carbon levy on shipping, warn experts

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:46:25 +0000

Panama joins smaller nations in dropping support for policy aimed at cutting maritime emissions

US “bullying” over a proposed carbon levy on shipping appears to be paying off, experts have said, after Panama reversed its support for the measure.

‘A gift that falls from the sky’: why farmers are using Etna’s ash as fertiliser

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:00:08 +0000

Falling volcanic ash has for years been viewed as a nuisance. But a Sicilian project has discovered its agricultural potential and wants to spread the word

In the Sicilian town of Giarre overlooking Mount Etna, Andrea Passanisi, a tropical and citrus fruits producer, uses an unusual fertiliser on his 100-hectare (247-acre) stretch of land: volcano ash.

Waitrose suspends sale of mackerel because of overfishing

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:06:05 +0000

Supermarket chain says it will point customers to herring and other species to protect threatened Atlantic stocks

Waitrose has become the first UK supermarket to suspend the sale of mackerel because of overfishing and will start pointing customers toward herring and other species.

Calls to move England’s home insulation scheme into council workers’ hands

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:00:34 +0000

Thinktank proposes councils stop using private contractors in attempt to improve quality and spending

Councils should train up their own workers to install insulation in England’s draughty houses, and offer home upgrades street by street, beginning in the most deprived areas, according to proposals for cutting energy bills.

Riding the wave: can surf tourism save Peru’s ancient reed-boat fishing culture?

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:00:32 +0000

As fish stocks dwindle, surf tourism may offer a lifeline to traditional caballitos de totora fishers, whose vessels are thought to be among the first ever used to ride waves

Shakespeare’s Globe launches environmental playwright prize

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:25 +0000

Theatre says it will harness art ‘to inspire societal shifts towards restorative relationship with nature’

From “shall I compare thee to a summer’s day” to “one touch of nature made the whole world kin”, some of the most famous lines in William Shakespeare’s works are about the relationship between humans and the environment.

‘The most important part is the vibe’: Bate Bay named Australia’s best beach

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:10:50 +0000

Tourism Australia beach ambassador Brad Farmer says the coastline south of Sydney airport ‘ticked pretty much every box’

Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

‘Magic beneath the surface’: pioneering geothermal plant launched in Cornwall

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:19 +0000

A new mini power station and lithium extraction facility near Redruth are set to bolster green energy and create jobs

Just outside the perimeter fence stand the hulking remains of grand stone engine houses, a testament to Cornwall’s proud tin and copper mining history.

But inside is a shiny new mini power station and lithium extraction plant that is once again accessing rich underground resources in the far south-west of Britain.

‘A devastating force’: how recent Mediterranean storms turned to tragedies

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:21 +0000

Atmospheric machine-gun has fired storm after deadly storm at the region this year, leaving a trail of widespread destruction

For Andrés Sánchez Barea, in Spain, it was the fear that arose when water started to spurt from plug sockets. For Nelson Duarte, in Portugal, it was the helplessness that hit as violent winds smacked down trees and tore tiles from roofs. For Amal Essuide, in Morocco, it was the reality that dawned when a corpse was pulled onboard a boat in the flooded medina.