Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Labour in apparent disarray over Thames cleanup plan

admin — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 13:59:56 +0000

Minister approved Thames Water project at location prioritised by Sadiq Khan for wild swimming

Labour appeared to be in disarray on Wednesday over ambitions to clean up the River Thames for swimming.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced plans to prioritise an area of the river in Teddington, south-west London, to make it safe and clean for swimming as part of a new 10-year strategy to reduce pollution in the river and encourage people to spend time in and around it.

Albanese government issues ‘preliminary refusal’ of Pep11 gas project previously vetoed by Scott Morrison

admin — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 07:40:23 +0000

Asset Energy has 30 days to respond to industry minister Ed Husic’s request for further information about the proposed gas project off Sydney’s coast

Wednesday briefing: Why Labour seems to be walking the walk on the climate crisis

admin — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:38:43 +0000

In today’s newsletter: The party talked up its plans for the climate during this summer’s election – and now seems to be backing that up with real action

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‘Butterfly emergency’ declared as UK summer count hits record low

admin — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:00:49 +0000

Conservation group calls on government to ban insect-killing neonicotinoid pesticides outright

A national “butterfly emergency” has been declared by Butterfly Conservation after the lowest Big Butterfly Count since records began.

An average of just seven butterflies per 15-minute count were recorded by participants in this summer’s butterfly count, the lowest in the survey’s 14-year history.

More floods are coming to Britain, but you ought to know this: the system that should protect us is a scandal | George Monbiot

admin — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:00:49 +0000

A network of public bodies are supposed to safeguard us from flooding. But, like old boys’ clubs, they are bastions of self-interest

Labour’s first stage of government resembles a vast forensic excavation. As it works through the Conservatives’ midden of horrors, it discovers an ever greater legacy of underinvestment, neglect and corruption. However disappointing the new government’s compromises might be, we shouldn’t forget how overwhelming this task must feel.

Superyacht and private jet tax could raise £2bn a year, say campaigners

admin — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:00:49 +0000

Oxfam says ‘commonsense solution’ would reduce emissions and raise urgently needed climate finance

Fair taxes on superyachts and private jets in the UK could have brought in £2bn last year to provide vital funds for communities suffering the worst effects of climate breakdown, campaigners say.

Global spending on subsidies that harm environment rises to $2.6tn, report says

admin — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 23:01:44 +0000

Exclusive: analysis finds $800bn increase in direct support for activities including deforestation and fossil fuel use

The world is spending at least $2.6tn (£2tn) a year on subsidies that drive global heating and destroy nature, according to new analysis.

Fossil fuel companies sponsor $5.6bn in global ‘sportswashing’ deals

admin — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 23:01:41 +0000

Thinktank says funding from oil and gas firms is attempt to ‘divert attention from their role in fuelling the climate crisis’

Fossil fuel companies pumped at least $5.6bn (£4.2bn) of sponsorship money into motorsports, football, golf and even snow sports in an effort to “buy social licence to operate”, according to a new report.

Almost no major spectator sport remains untouched by oil and gas money, according to research carried out by the New Weather Institute (NWI), a climate thinktank, which traced more than 200 sponsorship deals between sports teams and the industry.

Man accused of arson in devastating California wildfire pleads not guilty

admin — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 20:44:59 +0000

Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, was denied bail and entered his plea from jail in a video arraignment Tuesday

A California man has pleaded not guilty to starting a fire that authorities said ballooned into the rapidly spreading Line fire that has scorched at least 39,000 acres (15,783 hectares) and forced the evacuations of thousands of homes.

Online court records show that Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, entered the plea from jail in a video arraignment Tuesday in the San Bernardino city of Rancho Cucamonga. He was denied bail and appointed an attorney, the records show.

Soil footprint: a simple indicator of a crop's impact on soil erosion

admin — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 17:03:50 +0000

A research team proposes a method to calculate, compare and communicate how different crops affect the loss of agricultural soil, with the aim of raising awareness of this problem and promoting solutions to preserve this vital resource.