Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Dear Santa, please bring back the plastic lids on yoghurt pots | Adrian Chiles

admin — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:54:57 +0000

Gone are the pleasures of licking the foil cover on yoghurts and soft cheese. Plus no one consulted me about this dismal change to my home routines

All I want for Christmas is the return of yoghurt pot lids. And not just for me, for everyone. In this season of goodwill, I want everyone to get a share of the joy. The lids disappeared very suddenly, without so much as a goodbye. It didn’t seem right. And it wasn’t just yoghurt pots, either. Creams, buttermilk, cottage cheese, you name it, were suddenly minus their lids, hatless, naked.

Pakistan and Bahamas join push for global pact to phase out fossil fuels

admin — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:53:10 +0000

Climate-vulnerable pair add weight to proposed treaty seeking transition from coal, oil and gas in equitable way

Pakistan and the Bahamas have joined a growing bloc of climate-vulnerable countries seeking to broker a global pact to phase out fossil fuels in an equitable way, the Guardian can reveal.

Energy firms to spend £70bn to rewire Great Britain’s electricity grid

admin — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:14:54 +0000

National Grid, SSE and ScottishPower submit plans amid global race to shift from fossil fuels to clean electricity

Energy companies have promised to spend almost £70bn over five years to help rewire Great Britain’s electricity infrastructure in the global race to shift from fossil fuels to clean electricity.

‘Ridiculous’ ban on exotic animal skins at London fashion week criticised by experts

admin — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:00:42 +0000

Trade can help protect species – and real skins are often more sustainable than synthetic alternatives, say conservationists

Conservation experts have criticised a decision by London fashion week to ban exotic animal skins from its 2025 shows as “ridiculous”, warning that it is ill-informed and could harm the protection of many snakes, crocodiles and reptile species.

Study examines women’s proximity to incinerators and chemical level in breast milk

admin — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:00:41 +0000

Researchers find winds affecting emissions from incinerators play role, though diet still thought to be largest factor

Toxic chemicals in breast milk have been identified in mothers living near waste incinerators in the UK, a study has found.

Coal use to reach new peak – and remain at near-record levels for years

admin — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:00:39 +0000

Spike in fossil fuel use a result of global gas crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The world’s coal use is expected to reach a fresh high of 8.7bn tonnes this year, and remain at near-record levels for years as a result of a global gas crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

There has been record production and trade of coal and power generation from coal since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine inflated global gas market prices, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

‘Dark day for New Zealand’: outcry as bill to fast-track controversial mining projects is approved

admin — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 03:56:01 +0000

Critics and opposition parties vow to oppose major projects they fear could damage the environment

A new law that could see controversial mining and infrastructure projects fast-tracked for approval across New Zealand has sparked protests in parliament and vows from critics and opposition parties to stop proposals that they fear will wreak havoc on the environment.

The coalition government’s Fast-Track Approvals legislation passed into law on Tuesday, despite thousands of public submissions opposing it.

Pollution exposure linked to mental health hospital admissions, says study

admin — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 23:30:31 +0000

Researchers from St Andrews found rise in nitrogen dioxide exposure associated with higher admissions

Exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased risk of hospital admission for mental illness, according to the most comprehensive study of its kind.

The research, involving more than 200,000 people in Scotland, found an increase in exposure to nitrogen dioxide in particular was associated with a higher number of people being admitted to hospital for behaviour disorders and mental illnesses.

Biden administration warns natural gas expansion would drive up domestic costs

admin — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 19:28:37 +0000

New study shows LNG exports risk raising greenhouse gas emissions, hampering efforts to curtail climate crisis

The Biden administration has released a long-awaited analysis on the economic and environmental effects of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, concluding any further expansion would drive up costs for domestic consumers and hamper efforts to curtail the climate crisis.

Road safety campaigners lose high court challenge against Tower Hamlets mayor

admin — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:03:33 +0000

Save Our Safer Streets ‘extremely disappointed’ judge finds against them over removal of low traffic neighbourhoods

Road safety campaigners in east London have lost a high court challenge against the mayor of Tower Hamlets over his decision to remove three low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Bethnal Green.