Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Humpback whales back in Britain, with rise in sightings from Kent to Isles of Scilly

admin — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 07:00:20 +0000

More sightings may be a positive sign for growing population but also indicative of effect of climate change

The slap of an enormous tail upon grey waters as a humpback whale leaps from the sea is becoming an increasingly possible – although still rare – natural thrill around Britain.

The 30-tonne, 15 metre-long migratory giants are being spotted in growing numbers and locations this winter from Kent to the Isles of Scilly.

Fire reignites at California battery plant after evacuations amid toxic smoke

admin — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 18:00:12 +0000

Blaze erupts in Monterey county at one of world’s largest battery storage plants, causing highway and school closures

A fire at one of the world’s largest battery-storage plants in northern California flared up again on Friday afternoon, sending up plumes of toxic smoke after authorities had said the blaze was mostly over.

These are the hazards Californians face after fires – and what can homeowners do to protect themselves

admin — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 18:00:04 +0000

Angelenos returning to homes in burned areas could be exposed to toxic materials and mudslides

The wildfires raging across the Los Angeles landscape have destroyed many thousands of homes and buildings and damaged hundreds more.

And each property, experts warn, could pose a risk to Angelenos even long after the flames are extinguished.

Martin Rowson on the record leap in global CO2 levels – cartoon

admin — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:32:16 +0000

Otters among UK wildlife carrying toxic ‘forever chemicals’, analysis shows

admin — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 13:00:30 +0000

Some wildlife species have accumulated many times more than safe amount of PFAS in their tissue and organs

Don’t Look Up director says ‘half a billion people’ have now seen film despite critics

admin — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 12:34:34 +0000

Adam McKay says the Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio-starring satire resonates with a widespread feeling of being deceived by government and media

Adam McKay, writer-director of climate-crisis satire Don’t Look Up, says that the film’s popularity with viewers shows the popular will to tackle climate change, despite the critical brickbats the film attracted and political inertia around the issue.

‘It’s going to be rough’: what Trump’s response to LA fires portends for future climate disasters

admin — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:00:29 +0000

Big oil executive plans to celebrate Trump’s inauguration as California burns – though experts say climatic conditions are only getting more extreme

Week in wildlife in pictures: chilly pelicans, a baby gorilla and a spider fan’s dream come true

admin — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 08:25:05 +0000

The best of this week’s wildlife photographs from around the world

‘Everyone thought it would cause gridlock’: the highway that Seoul turned into a stream

admin — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 06:00:22 +0000

Cheonggyecheon stream in the South Korean capital has become an attraction – and helps with flood management, fighting air pollution and cooling the city

On a crisp December morning, office workers and tourists stroll along a tree-lined stream in central Seoul, pausing on stepping stones that cross its flowing waters. It’s difficult to imagine that just over 20 years ago, this was a vast elevated highway carrying 168,000 cars daily through the heart of South Korea’s capital.

Colombian tree frog found by Sheffield florist highlights invasive species threat

admin — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 05:00:22 +0000

Scientists say frog’s journey shows difficulty of spotting insects or fungi spread by global plant trade

A tiny tree frog hitchhiking in a bunch of roses to Sheffield from Colombia has inspired a study into invasive species reaching the UK’s shores.