Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Honduran city’s air pollution is almost 50 times higher than WHO guidelines

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 14:43:12 +0000

San Pedro Sula is rated ‘dangerous’ as effects of forest fires, El Niño and the climate crisis cause a spike in respiratory illnesses

The air quality in San Pedro Sula, the second-largest city in Honduras, as been classified as the most polluted on the American continent due to forest fires and weather conditions aggravated by El Niño and the climate crisis.

Economic damage from climate change six times worse than thought – report

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 14:00:37 +0000

A 1C increase in global temperature leads to a 12% decline in world gross domestic product, researchers have found

The economic damage wrought by climate change is six times worse than previously thought, with global heating set to shrink wealth at a rate consistent with the level of financial losses of a continuing permanent war, research has found.

Cop29 at a crossroads in Azerbaijan with focus on climate finance

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 11:00:37 +0000

Fossil-fuel dependent country hopes to provide bridge between wealthy global north and poor south at November gathering

Oil is inescapable in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The smell of it greets the visitor on arrival and from the shores of the Caspian Sea on which the city is built the tankers are eternally visible. Flares from refineries near the centre light up the night sky, and you do not have to travel far to see fields of “nodding donkeys”, small piston pump oil wells about 6 metres (20ft) tall, that look almost festive in their bright red and green livery.

Devon businesses fear loss of tourism as cases of parasitic disease double

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 10:56:12 +0000

Authorities confirm 46 cases and warn disruption could last weeks as firms are hit by cancellations before holiday

Cases of an illness caused by a microscopic parasite in a Devon harbour town could continue for a further two weeks, experts said, with businesses predicting thousands of pounds of losses as school half-term approaches.

The comments came as the UK Health Security Agency confirmed that cases of cryptosporidium infection in the Brixham area had more than doubled from 22 to 46, with more than 100 others reporting symptoms of the disease.

Looking for lichen: Church of England launches search for life on gravestones

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 10:00:36 +0000

Church asks people to record species found in local graveyards, which can provide good habitat for complex life form

The still calm of graveyards invites visitors to think about the dead, but now the Church of England is asking people across the country to look for surprising signs of life within them.

Graves are a haven for lichen, with more than 700 of the 2,000 British species having been recorded in English churchyards and cemeteries so far. According to surveys by the church, many sites have well more than 100 species on the stonework, trees and in the grassland.

High levels of weedkiller found in more than half sperm samples, study finds

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 10:00:35 +0000

Glyphosate found in samples from French infertility clinic raising questions about controversial chemical’s impact on fertility

More than 55% of sperm samples from a French infertility clinic contained high levels of glyphosate, the world’s most common weedkiller, raising further questions about the chemical’s impact on reproductive health and overall safety, a new study found.

Week in wildlife – in pictures: amorous frogs, battling stallions and an overaffectionate jaguar

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 07:00:31 +0000

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

UK government adviser on disruptive protest accused of conflict of interest

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 05:00:29 +0000

John Woodcock, whose review proposes bans for protest groups, has lobbying links to firms in arms and fossil fuel sectors

Activists have accused the government’s independent adviser on political violence of a conflict of interest, after it emerged that he had lobbying links to companies that would benefit from curbs to protesting.

Tokyo battles surge of destructive raccoons that went from pet to pest

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 04:42:24 +0000

Hotline set up in Japan’s capital to report sightings of raccoons, which became popular as pets after success of 1970s TV anime series

Having won the battle to tackle Tokyo’s population of giant, ravenous crows, the city’s authorities are now embroiled in an even tougher campaign: to rein in another animal menace, the North American raccoon.

Environmental Defenders Office did not breach funding rules while opposing Santos gas project, review finds

admin — Fri, 17 May 2024 02:10:00 +0000

Tanya Plibersek ordered investigation after judge accused law firm of ‘subtle coaching’ of Tiwi Island traditional owners during legal challenge