Breaking Waves: Ocean News

In Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing Aurora Nikula, 5, is having a normal day at her nursery. She is making a cake out of sand and mud, adding in make-believe carrots, potatoes and meat. “It’s overcooked,” she says as she splashes water in, then adds another dollop of sand. “More sugar, it tastes better,” she says. A handful of mud goes in, and the dish evolves into a chocolate cake. Aki Sinkkonen, a principal scientist with the Natural Resources Institute Finland, is watching. He’s also very interested in Aurora’s cake, but for different reasons. “Perfect,” he says, admiring the way she is mixing soil, sand and leaves and then putting it on her face. “She’s really getting her hands in it.” Aki Sinkkonen (left) and Marja Roslund from the Natural Resources Institute Finland in the Humpula garden Continue reading...

It is the first whale to have died out of 15 entangled in shark nets on Australia’s east coast so far this year Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A juvenile humpback whale has been found dead after becoming entangled in a shark net off the New South Wales coast. The 8-metre whale, estimated to be two years old, was found wrapped in netting north of Wollongong on Tuesday, in waters between Coledale and Wombarra. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Data shows wealthiest 0.1% of the US burn carbon at 4,000 times the rate of the world’s poorest 10% The US’s super-rich are burning through carbon emissions at 4,000 times the speed of the world’s poorest 10%, according to an analysis provided to the Guardian. These billionaires and multimillionaires, who comprise the wealthiest 0.1% of the US population, are also running down our planet’s safe climate space at 183 times the rate of the global average. Continue reading...

Slow-moving giant makes landfall and will linger over the island before slamming into Cuba Hurricane Melissa – latest updates Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica as a catastrophic category 5 storm, the strongest to lash the island since record-keeping began in 1851. The slow-moving giant hit the island on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to linger, moving diagonally through it until heading on to slam into Cuba, with impacts also expected in Haiti and the Bahamas. Continue reading...