There are fewer than 400 of critically endangered species left and sighting gives ‘glimmer of hope’
A critically endangered North Atlantic right whale has been spotted off the coast of Ireland for the first time in more than a century.
Holidaymaker Adrian Maguire, from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, glimpsed the large, dark body of the whale on the surface of the water while out fishing for mackerel.
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Breaking Waves: Ocean News
07/17/2024 - 09:30
07/17/2024 - 09:26
Energy giant promised to turn 1m tonnes of plastic waste into oil each year, but report this year said goal is unfeasible
The energy giant Shell has quietly backed away from a 2022 pledge to rapidly increase its use of “advanced recycling,” a practice oil and petrochemical producers have promoted as a solution to the plastics pollution crisis.
“Advanced” or “chemical” recycling involves breaking down plastic polymers into tiny molecules that can be made into synthetic fuels or new plastics. The most common form, pyrolysis, does so using heat.
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07/17/2024 - 07:12
Anne Hidalgo fulfils pledge after cleanup operation makes water quality safe enough to host events at Games
It has been the dream and promise of Paris mayors for decades and a nightmare for Olympic organisers: could the Seine be cleaned up enough to swim in and hold triathlon and other events?
For the last 100 years and up until a few days ago, the answer seemed to be no.
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07/17/2024 - 06:32
Labour government recognises ‘urgency of climate challenge’ but presents measures as way to also cut cost of living
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Planning changes, investment in infrastructure, a new national green energy company, a crackdown on water companies and more public transport – although Keir Starmer did not dwell on the green aspects of his legislative programme the environment was front and centre in nine bills that will have far-reaching effects.
In the words read by the king (though written by ministers), the new Labour government “recognises the urgency of the global climate challenge and the new job opportunities that can come from leading the development of the technologies of the future”. But importantly, these measures were presented as ways to reduce the cost of living, a key focus of Labour’s environmental commitments in the run-up to the general election.
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07/17/2024 - 05:49
Natalie Anastasia Davies to create works inspired by the ‘mysterious rock formations’ at North Yorkshire site
Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire has its first writer in residence, who has been recruited by the National Trust to create works inspired by the “mysterious and awe-inspiring rock formations”.
Natalie Anastasia Davies, who is Yorkshire-born and of Grenadian descent, will in her new role explore themes of cultural identity and the climate crisis, as well as connection and memory.
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07/17/2024 - 05:35
Regulators approve Meatly pet product, cultivated chicken made from growing cells
Lab-grown pet food is to hit UK shelves as Britain becomes the first country in Europe to approve cultivated meat.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have approved the product from the company Meatly.
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07/17/2024 - 03:38
Footage shows severe flooding across Toronto after the Canadian city was hit by three big storms in recent days. The Canadian rapper Drake shared a video on Instagram appearing to show parts of his home submerged in flood water. Authorities say the storm left 167,000 people without power and several flights were delayed or cancelled. At least 14 people were rescued
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07/17/2024 - 03:22
World’s oldest known open caves now impossible to access, as only remaining road shuts down for repairs for 18 months
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The world’s oldest known open caves have been closed to visitors after the only roads in were destroyed or damaged by storms, fires and floods.
The Jenolan Caves, in the Blue Mountains region west of Sydney, are now impossible to access by road, after months of heavy rain forced the only remaining road to close for repairs for 18 months.
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07/17/2024 - 01:00
Campaigners are concerned at how the tourist treat could affect the species, and how it could become an event like whale watching or shark diving
A tall, slim fin slashes the Mediterranean’s surface for a split second and the bait fish is gone, provoking a few gasps and some nervous laughs from the 40 or so snorkellers lined up to enter the open-water pen.
Most wear wetsuits and clutch masks and air tubes, a few are in swim shorts and goggles. Some have already had a beer or a glass of wine. The midday sun is out, The Trammps’ Disco Inferno is playing from the catamaran’s speakers and now people are climbing down a stepladder into a ring of netting that stretches 35 metres down into the sea near the Spanish port of L’Ametlla de Mar, about 80 miles from Barcelona.
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07/17/2024 - 00:00
A fox in the sun, fireflies and a brush fire, and trees blanketed with butterflies are among the striking images caught by winners of the California Academy of Sciences’ annual contest. Now in its 11th year, it highlights biodiversity and the many threats our planet faces
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