Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Paris mayor swims in Seine as river is cleaned up just in time for Olympics

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:12:34 +0000

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.

From green energy to rivers, environment at heart of nine plans in king’s speech

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:32:07 +0000

Labour government recognises ‘urgency of climate challenge’ but presents measures as way to also cut cost of living

National Trust appoints first writer in residence at Brimham Rocks

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 10:49:00 +0000

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.

UK first European country to approve lab-grown meat, starting with pet food

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 10:35:30 +0000

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.

Record rainfall hits parts of Toronto – video

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:38:02 +0000

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

Storms, fires and floods: Blue Mountains Jenolan Caves to close after series of unforgiving weather events

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:22:42 +0000

World’s oldest known open caves now impossible to access, as only remaining road shuts down for repairs for 18 months

Swim with the fishes: is tuna tourism just a bit of harmless holiday fun?

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 06:00:17 +0000

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.

Winning images of the 2024 BigPicture natural world photography competition

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 05:00:13 +0000

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

Londoners should be charged for paving gardens, says climate resilience report

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 05:00:12 +0000

Review says capital needs new reservoir, better flood defences and ‘heat plan’ for vulnerable people

Londoners who concrete over their gardens should be charged for doing so and given incentives to remove paving, a report to the mayor has recommended.

The city also needs a new reservoir, improved flood defences, and a “heat plan” to protect vulnerable residents from the increased risk of heatwaves, the report on the impact of the climate crisis has found.

Rattlesnake 'mega den' with as many as 2,000 snakes livestreaming from Colorado – video

admin — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 03:14:40 +0000

Researchers from California Polytechnic State University have set up a webcam to observe a 'mega den' of as many as 2,000 rattlesnakes. Emily Taylor, the Cal Poly biology professor leading the Project RattleCam research, says the exact location in Colorado is being kept secret to keep snake lovers – or haters – away