Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Shahid Bagheri leaking fuel towards Hara mangrove forest, home to migrating birds and endangered turtles Middle East crisis – live updates An oil slick from a stricken Iranian ship threatens to contaminate one of the Middle East’s most important wetlands, satellite image analysis suggests, making it one of a number of spills posing a risk to the livelihoods of coastal communities in the Gulf. The Shahid Bagheri, a drone carrier, began leaking heavy fuel oil in Iranian territorial waters near the strait of Hormuz after it was hit by a US warplane in the first few days of the US-Israel attack on Iran. Continue reading...

Bread and biscuits made from Crispr-edited wheat showed substantially reduced acrylamide levels Scientists have developed gene-edited wheat that can be used to make bread that is less carcinogenic when toasted. Researchers at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, used Crispr genome editing, which allows researchers to selectively edit the DNA of living organisms. This technology was adapted for use in the laboratory from naturally occurring genome editing systems found in bacteria. Continue reading...

Eighty-five countries have sought a roadmap to phasing out fossil fuels. A conference this month offers hope they could unite This article is published as part of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now The Iran war is also a climate war. Beyond its terrible human costs, the war’s disruptions of oil, gas, fertilizer and other shipments is another reminder of the risks inherent in basing the world economy on fossil fuels. The war’s jets, missiles and aircraft carriers, and the tankers, refineries and buildings they blow up, represent millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions that further imperil a climate system that is already “very close” to a point of no return, scientists say, after which runaway global warming could not be stopped. Nevertheless, petrostate leaders around the world continue doing their utmost to stave off a desperately needed course correction. Now, a little noticed ray of hope may be peeking over the horizon. Mark Hertsgaard and Kyle Pope are co-founders of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now Continue reading...

Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets emerged from eggs on Easter weekend in Big Bear Valley as watched by thousands online Over Easter weekend, thousands of people tuned in to celebrate something spectacular unfolding 145 feet up a pine tree in southern California’s San Bernardino national forest – the hatchings of two bald eagle chicks. Two eaglets were born to Jackie and Shadow, the southern California pair that have become avian celebrities thanks to the webcam that has livestreamed their activities since 2018. Continue reading...