Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Alaska was lucky to avoid disaster after a landslide and tsunami. What about next time?

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 15:00:05 +0000

The close call in Tracy Arm 50 miles south of Juneau on 10 August is the latest sign that as glaciers melt, risks may rise

The landslide that triggered a powerful tsunami in Alaska’s Inside Passage early on 10 August was a close call, say scientists, tour operators and agency officials, with the risk of such events apparently increasing as glaciers retreat because of climate change.

“It’s a historic event,” said scientist Dennis Staley from the US Geological Survey of the slide, which occurred in the Tracy Arm fjord 50 miles (80km) south of Juneau.

‘We want builders on site, not filling in forms’: Albanese government cuts red tape in bid to boost home building

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:30:01 +0000

Pausing changes to Construction Code, establishment of ‘strike team’ within environment department and use of AI in planning among reforms

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Alarming levels of Pfas in blood of those living near US air force base, study finds

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:00:01 +0000

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ were found at a level 10 times higher than people who did not work in contaminated zone

New research shows alarming levels of Pfas in the blood of people living or working near a US air force base responsible for polluting drinking water with high levels of the dangerous “forever chemicals”, a new state regulatory report has found.

Do heatwaves, wildfires and travel costs signal the end of the holiday abroad?

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:00:05 +0000

Leading researcher forecasts ‘beginning of the age of non-tourism’ despite industry returning to pre-pandemic highs

It was a prediction nobody wanted to hear. On the main stage of the world’s biggest tourism fair, Stefan Gössling, a leading researcher in sustainable transport, had just calmly announced the looming death of the holiday industry.

“We have already entered the beginning of the age of non-tourism,” said Gössling, to an uneasy audience of travel agencies, car rental companies, cruise operators and hoteliers.

Madeline Horwath on how to block out bad news – cartoon

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 10:00:05 +0000

Most of Earth’s species came from explosive bursts of evolution

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 09:33:02 +0000

A new study reveals that the majority of Earth’s species stem from a few evolutionary explosions, where new traits or habitats sparked rapid diversification. From flowers to birds, these bursts explain most of the planet’s biodiversity.

August rain records smashed across NSW as thunderstorms and more rain loom in final week

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 02:49:10 +0000

More than 20 places across New South Wales have already surpassed their highest August rain on record

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More than 20 places across New South Wales have already surpassed their highest August rain on record, with more than a week left of the month to go.

Explosion and fire in Louisiana leads to elementary school being evacuated

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 00:02:50 +0000

Flames and a tower of smoke rose above an automotive supply company 50 miles north-east of Baton Rouge

An explosion and fire Friday at an automotive supply company in southeast Louisiana sent flames into the air and a tower of thick black smoke billowing above rural communities, forcing nearby residents and an elementary school to evacuate.

Young climate activists in Wisconsin sue state over pro-fossil fuel policies

admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 18:43:08 +0000

Lawsuit brought by two non-profit law firms have had previous wins in Montana and Wisconsin

Fifteen young climate advocates, aged eight to 17, on Friday sued the state of Wisconsin over its pro-fossil fuel policies.

The case provides the opportunity for state officials to “make the correct step to decarbonize Wisconsin” because of the “climate harms they’ve caused youth”, said Kaarina, 17, who is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Wildfire explodes in California wine country as heatwave scorches US west

admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 18:28:24 +0000

Multiple fires have ignited this week with searing heat expected to last days and extend to Pacific north-west

Multiple wildfires have ignited across California as the state continues to scorch in a multi-day heatwave that is expected to last through the weekend.