Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en Ed Miliband vows to engage with China on climate after Tory ‘negligence’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ed-miliband-vows-engage-china-climate-after-tory-negligence <p>Energy security and net zero secretary travels to Beijing for countries’ first formal climate meetings since 2017</p> <p>Ed Miliband has accused the previous Conservative government of negligence for failing to engage with China on climate issues, as he travelled to Beijing for the countries’ first formal climate meetings since 2017.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ed-miliband-vows-engage-china-climate-after-tory-negligence" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:24:27 +0000 admin 99283 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org From sewage and scum to swimming in ‘blue gold’: how Switzerland transformed its rivers https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/sewage-and-scum-swimming-blue-gold-how-switzerland-transformed-its-rivers <p>In the 1960s, the Swiss had some of the dirtiest water in Europe. Now, their cities boast pristine rivers and lakes – and other countries are looking to follow their lead</p> <p>In the first days of spring, people flock to Lake Geneva’s broad, tree-lined promenade, their faces tilted towards the sun. Dior, Cartier and Rolex are among the high-end shopfronts overlooking the water. René Rottenberg, 75, has just finished his 400m swim through this upmarket urban jungle – a ritual he repeats up to five times a week, even in midwinter.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/sewage-and-scum-swimming-blue-gold-how-switzerland-transformed-its-rivers" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:00:24 +0000 admin 99284 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Coal pollution chokes Ulaanbataar – in pictures https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/coal-pollution-chokes-ulaanbataar-pictures <p>The toxic smog that settles over the Mongolian capital every winter has been a suffocating problem for well over a decade that successive governments have failed to dispel. In the depths of winter, the city’s daily average of PM 2.5 small particulate that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, can be 27 times higher than the level considered safe by the World Health Organization. Respiratory illness cases have risen steadily, with pneumonia the second leading cause of death for children under five</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/coal-pollution-chokes-ulaanbataar-pictures" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:00:43 +0000 admin 99282 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org The Guardian view on microplastics: harmful pollution must be curbed | Editorial https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/guardian-view-microplastics-harmful-pollution-must-be-curbed-editorial <p>New evidence of particles damaging crops strengthens the case for an international plastics treaty</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/guardian-view-microplastics-harmful-pollution-must-be-curbed-editorial" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 16 Mar 2025 17:25:23 +0000 admin 99281 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Underwater ‘doorbell’ helps scientists catch coral-eating fish in Florida https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/underwater-doorbell-helps-scientists-catch-coral-eating-fish-florida <p>Researchers use innovative cameras to identify fish species hindering coral reef restoration</p> <p>Marine scientists in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/florida">Florida</a> working to help reverse a calamitous decades-long decline in coral reefs caught fishy “porch pirates” in the act with an innovative underwater doorbell-style surveillance camera.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/underwater-doorbell-helps-scientists-catch-coral-eating-fish-florida" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 16 Mar 2025 13:00:18 +0000 admin 99279 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Line 5, a Trump donor, is profiting off a pipeline deal threatening pollution https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/line-5-trump-donor-profiting-pipeline-deal-threatening-pollution <p>Trump administration accused of ‘quid pro quo’ for fast-tracking controversial fossil fuel proposal in Michigan</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump">Donald Trump</a>’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">administration</a> is being accused by activists of a quid pro quo as it attempts to fast-track a controversial fossil fuel pipeline proposal in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/michigan">Michigan</a> that would in part be built by a donor with deep financial ties to the president.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/line-5-trump-donor-profiting-pipeline-deal-threatening-pollution" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 16 Mar 2025 12:00:18 +0000 admin 99280 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Thousands of fish die in cyclone-hit northern rivers amid reports of eels and crabs fleeing ‘blackwater’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/thousands-fish-die-cyclone-hit-northern-rivers-amid-reports-eels-and-crabs-fleeing-bla <p>Decomposing organic matter in catchments flooded by Cyclone Alfred removed oxygen from water, suffocating aquatic life</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/thousands-fish-die-cyclone-hit-northern-rivers-amid-reports-eels-and-crabs-fleeing-bla" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 16 Mar 2025 04:01:02 +0000 admin 99278 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Big oil gathers in Texas – but beneath the bravado, Trump-induced anxiety https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/big-oil-gathers-texas-beneath-bravado-trump-induced-anxiety <p>Energy summit in Houston makes clear US is nowhere close to curbing fossil fuels, but tariffs are causing disquiet</p> <p>This week, the world’s most influential fossil-fuels conference, which has been dubbed the “Coachella of oil”, featured an industry displaying outward glee but barely managing to conceal its anxiety.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/big-oil-gathers-texas-beneath-bravado-trump-induced-anxiety" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 15 Mar 2025 13:00:50 +0000 admin 99276 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Exploited, recognised as a slavery victim, now facing deportation: one seafarer’s UK ordeal https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/exploited-recognised-slavery-victim-now-facing-deportation-one-seafarer-s-uk-ordeal <p>After years of helping Scottish criminal investigations and despite fearing for his life in India, Vishal Sharma’s asylum claim has been rejected</p> <p>When Vishal Sharma, an experienced merchant seaman, arrived in London from India in November 2017, he was looking forward to a good job on a Belgian tanker, the MT Waasmunster, assisting engineers. He had a 15-month contract and a transit visa, enabling him to travel to Milford Haven in Wales, where the 174-metre vessel was anchored.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/exploited-recognised-slavery-victim-now-facing-deportation-one-seafarer-s-uk-ordeal" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 15 Mar 2025 07:00:45 +0000 admin 99274 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org From profiteroles to moles: project uncovers gulls’ surprising diet https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/profiteroles-moles-project-uncovers-gulls-surprising-diet <p>Salford University findings show gulls are predators – not just opportunists snatching people’s snacks</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/mar/15/is-there-anything-gulls-dont-eat-ice-cream-octopus-in-pictures">In pictures: Octopus? Ice cream? Is there anything gulls don’t eat?</a></li> </ul> <p>Gulls are renowned for snatching chips from tourists’ hands, but a scientific project has revealed the greedy birds also like to tuck into moles and quench their thirst with seal milk.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/profiteroles-moles-project-uncovers-gulls-surprising-diet" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 15 Mar 2025 07:00:45 +0000 admin 99273 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org