Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Launch natural history GCSE in England now, campaigners urge Labour

admin — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 18:08:21 +0000

Environmentalists say new course could be delayed until 2030 because it is viewed as Conservative party initiative

Leading environmentalists have called on the government to introduce a natural history GCSE immediately, amid fears it could be postponed until 2030.

The previous Conservative administration had supported creating the GCSE, which would teach pupils how to observe, identify and classify plants and animals.

Labour risks ‘powder keg’ clash with environmentalists as it puts growth before going green

admin — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 17:49:56 +0000

As chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plan to expand London airports gains traction, the party is accused of back-pedalling on its green commitments

Labour is being warned it is hurtling towards a “powder keg” confrontation with environmentalists, green groups and a swathe of its own supporters in the next few weeks, amid its claims that “blockers” are standing in the way of economic growth.

A flurry of pro-growth measures have been announced by ministers in recent days as part of a government fightback against claims that the economy is stalling.

Rachel Reeves has to realise she can’t plough on with the farm tax | Phillip Inman

admin — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 16:00:25 +0000

The chancellor’s attempt to get rich landowners to pay their fair share was correct in principle. But this measure has missed the mark

Rachel Reeves needs to rid herself of troublesome farmers. It’s become obvious, if it wasn’t at the time of the budget, that they are not going to go away.

Their shouts of protest are getting louder and the petition against proposals to tax inherited farms is growing longer.

Wes Streeting heckled by climate protesters at Fabian Society address

admin — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 15:45:14 +0000

Speech calling for unity against ‘populist right’ interrupted by two women opposed to Drax power plant subsidies

Wes Streeting was heckled by climate protesters during a speech calling on progressives to stand up to the “populist right”.

‘The risk of extinction is accelerating’: world’s botanic gardens raise alarm with space to protect endangered plants running out

admin — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 11:49:38 +0000

University of Cambridge research suggests living collections have collectively reached peak capacity

Botanic gardens around the world are failing to conserve the rarest and most threatened species growing in their living collections because they are running out of space, according to research from the University of Cambridge.

Researchers analysed a century’s worth of records from 50 botanic gardens and arboreta, collectively growing half-a-million plants, to see how the world’s living plant collections have changed since 1921.

Hope for Britain’s loneliest bat after second species member discovered

admin — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 11:00:19 +0000

Greater mouse-eared bat was declared extinct in the UK but ecologists now believe population recovery is possible

For 21 long winters, Britain’s loneliest bat hibernated alone in a disused railway tunnel in Sussex.

Fairtrade could help tackle exploitation in UK factories and farms, new boss says

admin — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 07:00:15 +0000

Ethical trade body could ‘offer solutions’ in advising government on protecting workers, says Eleanor Harrison

Fairtrade could help tackle exploitation in UK factories and farms – as well as those in developing countries – the incoming boss of the ethical trade body has said.

Eleanor Harrison, who in March takes the reins of the group behind the Fairtrade mark which appears on products in shops, has said it could “offer solutions” in advising the UK government on protecting workers.

How human activity has shaped Brazil Nut forests' past and future

admin — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 20:10:17 +0000

Researchers use genomic data to study the decline in genetic diversity in the Amazon Basin, particularly in Brazil Nut trees. The research uses genomic data to understand this keystone species' genetic health and adaptability, help reconstruct its demographic history, and assess the long-term impacts of human interaction on forest ecosystems. The findings emphasize the need for conservation strategies to consider both ecological and anthropogenic factors.

World’s largest iceberg drifts threateningly toward remote island of penguins and seals

admin — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 16:18:41 +0000

Gigantic wall of ice moves slowly from Antarctica on potential collision course with wildlife breeding ground

The world’s largest iceberg – a behemoth more than twice the size of London – is drifting toward a remote island where scientists say it could run aground and threaten penguins and seals.

The gigantic wall of ice is moving slowly from Antarctica on a potential collision course with South Georgia, a crucial wildlife breeding ground.

UK climate and nature bill dropped after deal with Labour backbenchers

admin — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 15:17:35 +0000

Ministers avoid internal party row by promising potential rebels they will have input into environmental legislation

Ministers have seen off a bill that would have made the UK’s climate and environment targets legally binding, after promising Labour backbenchers that they would have input into environmental legislation.