Breaking Waves: Ocean News

UK scientist wins prize for invention that could help avert ‘phosphogeddon’

admin — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 06:00:06 +0000

Phosphate, key to food production, is choking waterways, but a new sponge-like material returns it to the soil for crops

How can a new runway at Heathrow be good for the planet? | Observer letters

admin — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 06:00:06 +0000

A West End play reveals the way in which powerful vested interests brought about the demise of the climate protocol

In his review of the play Kyoto (“The Kyoto climate treaty is hailed on stage, but reality tells a different story”, Focus), Robin McKie rightly points out that the world is failing dismally to effectively get a grip on the climate crisis.

Reeves’s Heathrow expansion plans leave Labour’s green agenda grounded

admin — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 06:00:04 +0000

The chancellor’s apparent volte-face in backing a third runway has left many in her party disillusioned and led them to label it as an act of desperation

In 2020, Rachel Reeves, the MP for Leeds West and Pudsey, was clear why she opposed expansion of nearby Leeds Bradford airport. It would, she said, “significantly increase air and noise pollution”, so on environmental grounds, it should not happen.

By the autumn of 2021, as shadow chancellor, Reeves was the senior Labour figure chosen to lead her party’s hugely ambitious plans for a green industrial revolution.

Reeves’s Heathrow third runway report was commissioned by London airport

admin — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 20:00:51 +0000

The chancellor is under fire after a study cited as evidence for expanding the terminal to boost the UK’s economic growth was ordered by Heathrow itself

Rachel Reeves was facing criticism on Saturday night as it was confirmed that a report she cited as evidence that a third runway at Heathrow would boost the UK economy was commissioned by the airport itself.

‘Humanure’: RHS plans rollout of first compost toilet to fertilise flowerbeds

admin — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 16:01:44 +0000

The horticultural charity’s showpiece garden in Surrey is setting aside an space to test human waste fertiliser

For more than 200 years, gardeners at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have been reaping the benefits of using compost and manure in their flowerbeds.

But until now, they have never had the satisfaction of using compost created from their own human waste.

Campaigners hail ‘important victory’ in protection of England’s national parks

admin — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 06:00:36 +0000

Minister says there was error when Manningtree station car park extension was approved under last government

Campaigners have celebrated an “important victory” in a closely watched case that will determine whether the government will enforce new legislation aimed at protecting national parks and landscapes in England.

Labour warned it risks losing support for net zero if costs not spread fairly

admin — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 05:00:32 +0000

Exclusive: Chief climate adviser calls on Starmer to make ‘strong, confident’ case for green UK that public can buy into

Ensuring that the costs of decarbonisation are shared fairly across society must be a top priority for ministers or they risk losing public support for net zero, the UK’s chief climate adviser has warned.

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves should be making a “strong, confident” case for decarbonisation as an engine of economic growth, according to Emma Pinchbeck, the chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, the independent statutory adviser.

Trump orders USDA to take down websites referencing climate crisis

admin — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 22:06:23 +0000

Forest service website among many sites affected as agencies scramble to comply with president’s orders

On Thursday, the Trump administration ordered the US agriculture department to to take down its websites documenting or referencing the climate crisis.

‘Perfect rat storm’: urban rodent numbers soar as the climate heats, study finds

admin — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 19:00:21 +0000

Sharp rise in population in 11 of 16 cities expected to continue as rising temperatures make it easier for the animals to breed, say researchers

Rat numbers are soaring in cities as global temperatures warm, research shows.

‘We’d go absolutely nuts’: PM warned of Labour fight if he backs huge oilfield

admin — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 17:59:59 +0000

Exclusive: MPs and ministers say they would oppose Starmer if he tries to approve Rosebank development

Senior Labour figures are warning of a serious fight if Keir Starmer tries to give the go-ahead to a giant new oilfield off Shetland later this year.

MPs and ministers have told the Guardian they are prepared to oppose the UK prime minister should he try and give final consent to the Rosebank development, which is Britain’s biggest untapped oilfield.