Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Tree bark plays vital role in removing methane from atmosphere, study finds

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 15:28:49 +0000

Researchers uncover ‘remarkable new way in which trees provide a vital climate service’ by reducing emissions

Microbes in the bark of trees play a vital role in removing methane from the atmosphere, scientists have discovered.

The greenhouse gas is a product of agriculture and the burning of fossil fuels and is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. However, it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter time.

The US’s quiet rise to the world’s biggest fossil fuel state

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 15:00:23 +0000

Residents in western Louisiana say giant liquified natural gas plants are making their home a sacrifice zone

Early mammal could help answer one of biology’s biggest question, say experts

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 15:00:21 +0000

Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis, which lived 166m years ago, ‘a piece of the puzzle’ explaining mammals’ success

The remains of a diminutive mouse-like creature that lived 166m years ago could help answer one of biology’s biggest questions of why mammals have become so successful, fossil experts say.

Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis belongs to the immediate predecessors of mammals and lived alongside the dinosaurs during the middle Jurassic age. But while it was originally known only from individual teeth, researchers have now reported two partial skeletons.

‘High quality, low price and dizzying variety’: how the Chinese switched to electric cars

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 13:00:10 +0000

The country has long been the world’s biggest market – but the government’s interest is more geopolitical than environmental

When Kenzi, an advertising worker in Shanghai, bought an electric vehicle in November she wasn’t even thinking about the environmental benefits. She had read Elon Musk’s biography and thought the Tesla 3 looked good. She also knew that if she bought an EV she could bypass the long wait and cost of getting licence plates, which are rationed by the government.

Heathrow prepares third-runway blueprint for Labour amid record passenger numbers

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 11:24:04 +0000

UK’s biggest airport served almost 40m passengers in first half of 2024, straining its system ‘to the maximum’

Heathrow is preparing to announce a fresh blueprint for a third runway for the Labour government’s approval as record passenger numbers “strain its system to the maximum”.

The UK’s biggest airport served almost 40 million passengers in the first half of 2024, culminating in its busiest day ever on 30 June.

Revealed: Tories failed to do impact check before approving banned pesticide

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 10:12:50 +0000

Exclusive: UK campaigners say it is ‘unacceptable’ no nature assessments were made on bee-killing Cruiser SB

The Conservative government did not carry out a legally required assessment of how greenlighting the use of a banned pesticide, described as a “death blow to wildlife”, would affect some of the most important nature sites, documents have revealed.

The previous government gave emergency approval this year for sugar beet farmers to use Cruiser SB for the fourth year in a row.

Revealed: wealthy western countries lead in global oil and gas expansion

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 10:00:06 +0000

The US and the UK among countries with low dependence on fossil fuels criticized for ‘hypocrisy’ on climate pledges

Head of king’s property portfolio given 20% pay rise to £1.9m

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:50:35 +0000

Crown estate reward for Dan Labbad comes amid doubling of profits on back of offshore wind developments

King Charles’s property management company has given its chief executive a pay increase of almost 20% after tripling his pay packet over the previous three years.

Australian scientists genetically engineer common fly species to eat more of humanity’s waste

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:00:07 +0000

Black soldier flies could help cut planet-warming methane produced when organic waste breaks down, Macquarie University team says

Komodo dragons have iron-coated teeth, scientists find

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:00:07 +0000

Reptile’s teeth found to have covering that helps keep serrated edges razor sharp and resistant to wear

With their huge size, venomous bite and the fantastical connotations of their name, Komodo dragons seem like the stuff of legend.

Now, that status has been elevated further: scientists have discovered that their teeth are coated with a layer of iron that helps keep their serrated edges razor sharp.