Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en Supersized stick insect discovered in high-altitude trees in north Queensland https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/supersized-stick-insect-discovered-high-altitude-trees-north-queensland <p>The 40cm-long insect, named <em>Acrophylla alta,</em> weighs slightly less than a golf ball and may be the heaviest insect in Australia</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/jul/31/australia-politics-live-closing-the-gap-indigenous-youtube-gaza-question-time-anthony-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/supersized-stick-insect-discovered-high-altitude-trees-north-queensland" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 31 Jul 2025 03:16:18 +0000 admin 100799 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Fears for South Australia’s annual cuttlefish gathering amid deadly algal bloom https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/fears-south-australia-s-annual-cuttlefish-gathering-amid-deadly-algal-bloom <p>Breeding event known as Cuttlefest takes place in waters off Point Lowly but this year scientists warn the effect of toxic algae could be ‘catastrophic’</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/jul/31/australia-politics-live-closing-the-gap-indigenous-youtube-gaza-question-time-anthony-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/fears-south-australia-s-annual-cuttlefish-gathering-amid-deadly-algal-bloom" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 31 Jul 2025 01:32:11 +0000 admin 100798 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Countries failing to act on UN climate pledge to triple renewables, thinktank finds https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/countries-failing-act-un-climate-pledge-triple-renewables-thinktank-finds <p>Fossil fuel reliance likely to continue and Cop28 target of limiting global heating to below 1.5C will be missed</p> <p>Most global governments have failed to act on the 2023 UN pledge to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade, according to climate analysts.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/countries-failing-act-un-climate-pledge-triple-renewables-thinktank-finds" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 23:01:32 +0000 admin 100797 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org The Guardian view on England’s riverbanks: landscapes that everyone should be able to enjoy | Editorial https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/guardian-view-england-s-riverbanks-landscapes-everyone-should-be-able-enjoy-editorial <p>Only a small sliver of riverside land is accessible to the public. Rights of way shouldn’t depend on the goodwill of landowners</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/guardian-view-england-s-riverbanks-landscapes-everyone-should-be-able-enjoy-editorial" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:48:13 +0000 admin 100796 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Four Montagu’s harrier chicks take flight in first UK breeding success since 2019 https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/four-montagu-s-harrier-chicks-take-flight-first-uk-breeding-success-2019 <p>Young birds were closely monitored and protected from predators after six summers without fledging success</p> <p>A pair of Montagu’s harriers have raised four chicks in an English wheat field, the first success for Britain’s rarest breeding bird since 2019.</p> <p>The fledglings took their maiden flights this week after being closely monitored by the RSPB and the local farmer, with a protective wire-mesh fence installed around the nest to repel predators such as foxes.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/four-montagu-s-harrier-chicks-take-flight-first-uk-breeding-success-2019" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:21:55 +0000 admin 100795 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Adani claims its export program helps contribute to sustainable energy – but experts say that’s ‘wilful disinformation’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/adani-claims-its-export-program-helps-contribute-sustainable-energy-experts-say-s-wilf <p>Indian conglomerate’s claim about exporting coal and its role for developing nations is ‘meaningless sustainability waffle’ and amounts to greenwashing, one says</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/jul/31/australia-politics-live-closing-the-gap-indigenous-youtube-gaza-question-time-anthony-albanese-sussan-ley-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/adani-claims-its-export-program-helps-contribute-sustainable-energy-experts-say-s-wilf" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:00:31 +0000 admin 100794 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org UN holds emergency talks over sky-high accommodation costs at Cop30 in Brazil https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/un-holds-emergency-talks-over-sky-high-accommodation-costs-cop30-brazil <p>Concerns poorer countries could be priced out of negotiations in Belém as room rates soar amid shortage</p> <p>The UN climate bureau has held an urgent meeting about concerns that sky-high rates for accommodation at this year’s Cop30 summit in Brazil could price poorer countries out of the negotiations.</p> <p>Brazil is preparing to host Cop30 this November in the rainforest city of Belém, where representatives of nearly every government in the world will gather to negotiate their joint efforts to curb the climate crisis.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/un-holds-emergency-talks-over-sky-high-accommodation-costs-cop30-brazil" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:12:27 +0000 admin 100792 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Hundreds evacuated after series of rockfalls in Italy’s Brenta Dolomites https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hundreds-evacuated-after-series-rockfalls-italy-s-brenta-dolomites <p>Experts say thawing of permafrost due to climate breakdown is causing increase in rock collapses across Alps</p> <p>Hundreds of hikers and tourists were evacuated and dozens of trails closed after a series of rockfalls on the slopes of Cima Falkner in the Brenta Dolomites in the north of Italy, as experts warned of a sharp rise in landslides in the area linked to thawing permafrost.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hundreds-evacuated-after-series-rockfalls-italy-s-brenta-dolomites" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:22:36 +0000 admin 100793 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Council recognises right of River Test to flow unimpeded and unpolluted https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/council-recognises-right-river-test-flow-unimpeded-and-unpolluted <p>Test is one of only about 200 chalk streams in the world and councillors says biodiversity in and around it has declined</p> <p>Local politicians have recognised the right of a famous chalk stream, the Test in Hampshire, to flow freely and unpolluted.</p> <p>Councillors on Test Valley borough council voted unanimously to acknowledge “the intrinsic rights” of the rivers within its boundaries, including the Test, which is renowned for its trout and <a href="https://fishingbreaks.co.uk/chalkstream/test.htm">fly fishing</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/council-recognises-right-river-test-flow-unimpeded-and-unpolluted" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:41:05 +0000 admin 100791 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Elon Musk is turning US liberals off not just Tesla but electric vehicles in general https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/elon-musk-turning-us-liberals-not-just-tesla-electric-vehicles-general <p>Disgust at the CEO’s rightwing activism is casting a pall but conservatives are no more likely to buy EVs</p> <p>US liberals have become so disgusted with Tesla since Elon Musk’s rightward turn that they are now not only far less likely to purchase the car brand but also less willing to buy any type of electric car, new research has found.</p> <p>The popularity of Tesla among liberal-minded Americans has plummeted since Musk, Tesla’s chief executive and the world’s richest person, allied himself with Donald Trump and helped propel the president to election victory last year.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/elon-musk-turning-us-liberals-not-just-tesla-electric-vehicles-general" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:00:59 +0000 admin 100788 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org