Breaking Waves: Ocean News

China’s coal-fired power boom may be ending amid slowdown in permits

admin — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 06:00:29 +0000

Permits for coal-fired power plants drop by 83% despite leading world in construction as focus turns to renewables

Coal-fired power is still enjoying a construction boom in China, but a marked slowdown in the permitting of future plants has given experts hope that the world’s biggest emitter may be turning a corner.

China led the world in the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the first half of 2024, with work beginning on more than 41GW of new generation capacity, data published on Thursday showed.

Magic moment: Sydney aquarium filled with song after sea birds mourn death of gay penguin Sphen

admin — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 05:18:12 +0000

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium keeper describes the unique and ‘very beautiful’ singing scene that unfolded as Sphen’s partner, Magic, and the gentoo colony were taken to see Sphen

There wasn’t a dry eye among staff at Sydney’s Sea Life Aquarium as Magic and his fellow gentoo penguins cried out, mourning the loss of Sphen in an emotional scene never before witnessed by employees.

I’m obsessed with sea worms: ‘Thankfully, in 25 years of working with them, I’ve never been bitten’

admin — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 05:00:28 +0000

An associate professor in marine biology explains her fascination with the surprisingly diverse animals – and how they could help to address the climate crisis

About 500,000 trees cut down at site of Tesla gigafactory near Berlin

admin — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 04:00:28 +0000

Satellite image analysis shows 329 hectares of forest cleared during development of factory in Germany

The development of a Tesla gigafactory near Berlin has resulted in about 500,000 trees being felled, according to satellite analysis.

The building of the German factory has been highly controversial and attracted significant protests, as well as prompting a debate about the trade-offs involved in developing a green economy.

Animal eclipses co-star Jean Reno in filming of My Penguin Friend

admin — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 04:00:26 +0000

How the five-year real-life friendship between a retired Brazilian fisher and Magellanic penguin became a movie

The film My Penguin Friend has two main characters – one played by a Hollywood star and the other by a newcomer – but there was no doubt on set about who should be the most pampered.

The first-timer had a “trailer” with a natural saltwater pool and only worked until 3pm. To keep the star from being bitten by a mosquito from the tropical Brazilian beach, a flamethrower would clear the path before and after each scene.

Rubbish and disease could disrupt Antarctic ecosystems as ice buffers melt, study finds

admin — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 01:00:22 +0000

Simulated study shows southern ecosystems could be compromised by objects from South Africa, South America, New Zealand and Australia as global heating continues

‘Ingrained in our heritage’: UK’s ancient oaks showcased in Tree of the Year contest

admin — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 23:01:21 +0000

Woodland Trust’s competition comes as charity campaigns for more robust legal protection for precious trees

An oak tree shaped like an elephant and the oak with the widest girth in the UK have been shortlisted for the annual Tree of the Year competition.

The Woodland Trust runs the annual competition to raise awareness of the UK’s ancient and at-risk trees.

Marton oak, Cheshire
Sessile oak (quercus petraea) / Approximate age: 1,200 years / Girth: 14.02 metres.

Heat deaths in Europe may triple by end of the century, study finds

admin — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 22:30:19 +0000

Countries in south most at risk, with rise likely to outstrip fall in cold-related deaths if global heating hits 3C or 4C

Heat deaths in Europe could triple by the end of the century, with the numbers rising disproportionately in southern European countries such as Italy, Greece and Spain, a study has found.

Pregnant people and fetuses not being protected from wildfire risks – report

admin — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 21:30:05 +0000

Researchers say public health officials not doing enough to share warnings and safety information with health workers

Wildfires pose serious risks to pregnant people and their developing fetuses, including low birth weight and preterm birth. But public health officials are not doing nearly enough to keep these vulnerable populations safe, according to a new report.

Starbucks’ new CEO faces backlash over 1,000-mile commute by private jet

admin — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 19:02:39 +0000

Brian Niccol faces environmental criticism over commute from southern California to Seattle instead of relocating

Starbucks’ incoming CEO, Brian Niccol, is facing environmental criticisms following the company’s offer for him to commute from his home in Newport Beach, California, to its headquarters in Seattle via a private jet instead of relocating.