Breaking Waves: Ocean News

‘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.

‘Bad deal for taxpayers’: huge losses from NSW forest logging, reports reveal

admin — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:00:40 +0000

Former MP astonished that taxpayers are ‘literally paying’ to cut down forests sustaining koalas and greater gliders and providing clean drinking water

No glue, chains or locks: Victoria’s antisemitism crackdown a smokescreen to target climate protesters, critics say

admin — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:00:39 +0000

Police powers that request protesters remove their face masks in prescribed areas already exist, according to lawyer at Human Rights Law Centre

Whaling activist Paul Watson celebrates release from jail after Denmark refuses extradition to Japan

admin — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:12:49 +0000

US-Canadian founder of Sea Shepherd, who was arrested in Greenland in July, will now spend Christmas with his sons

Paul Watson, the anti-whaling campaigner, has spoken of delight that he will be reunited with his young children for Christmas after Denmark rejected Japan’s extradition request and released him from prison in Greenland.

After 150 days in jail on the Danish autonomous territory, Watson, 74, was told by his lawyer on Tuesday morning that the Danish authorities had decided he was free to leave the island.

More than 6m homes at risk of flooding in England, says Environment Agency

admin — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:00:41 +0000

Report says rivers, the sea and surface water endangering properties and that number could hit 8m by 2050

More than 6m homes in England are at risk of flooding under the latest climate projections, a study by the Environment Agency has found.

This could rise to 8m – or one in four properties – by 2050, the study said.

Watchdog warns Defra and Ofwat they could face court over sewage dumping

admin — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:00:40 +0000

Environment Agency also served notice after investigation found failures to comply with law

The government, its water regulator and the Environment Agency could all be taken to court over their failure to tackle sewage dumping in England after a watchdog found failures to comply with the law.

New research about drought impacts on wildlife can inform conservation strategies

admin — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:57:27 +0000

New research shows that many wildlife species in the U.S., like the endangered giant kangaroo rat, will face much more frequent and severe droughts in the future. By 2050-2080, year-long droughts could happen almost five times as often, and three-year droughts almost seven times as often compared to past decades. These changes will require animals to adapt significantly. Scientists have identified areas with high biodiversity and high risk that can help managers focus attention for conservation efforts. The southwestern U.S.