Breaking Waves: Ocean News

03/24/2024 - 19:01
Presenter, whose series Mammals airs on Sunday, says broadcaster has changed opinions on conservation the world over Sir David Attenborough has said the BBC’s natural history programmes have helped “world opinion change” about conservation, as his latest series, Mammals, highlights the damage “overcrowded” game reserve tourism has on cheetahs – which he says we are in danger of “loving to death”. In the same way Blue Planet II raised awareness of plastics, the six-part BBC One programme is likely to prompt questions about safari holidays through footage of large numbers of tourist-filled trucks chasing views of hunting cheetahs making a kill – which can often result in the animals leaving the meat and cubs dying. Continue reading...
03/24/2024 - 11:00
In late 2023, Peter Kaestner was about to log his 10,000th bird species seen in the wild. Then Jason Mann showed up In late 2023, 70-year-old birder Peter Kaestner was within striking distance of a goal that had never been accomplished: seeing more than 10,000 different species of birds in the wild. Such a record had previously been unthinkable, but with new technology facilitating rare bird sightings, improved DNA testing identifying a growing number of bird species, and public listing platforms making it easier to keep track of and share findings, more super-birders are inching towards the five digits. Continue reading...
03/24/2024 - 09:00
Fewer than one in 10 investors exploring new investments in the technology, with most preferring renewables Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast Nuclear energy ranks last on the list of climate technologies that big institutional investors want exposure to, according to a survey of climate conscious investors with $37tn under management. Fewer than one in 10 investors were exploring new investments in nuclear technology in the survey of the Investor Group on Climate Change, whose 100 members include super funds and asset managers looking after the funds of 15 million Australians. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...
03/24/2024 - 09:00
Tulare Lake was resurrected to more than 100,000 acres, bringing fear and wonder. I went to see it – and couldn’t find it ‘Stay out of the water’: what lurks below California’s zombie lake? For a time last year, it was difficult to drive through a large swath of central California without running into the new shoreline of a long dormant lake. Resurrected for the first time in decades by an epic deluge of winter rain and snow, by spring the lake covered more than 100,000 acres, stretching over cotton, tomato and pistachio fields and miles of roads. Continue reading...
03/24/2024 - 08:35
In letter to TfL boss, Khan says plans ‘will not include new pay-per-mile road user charging scheme’ Sadiq Khan has pledged not to extend the scope of London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) scheme if he returns to the role after May’s election. In a letter to the Transport for London commissioner, Andy Lord, the capital’s mayor wrote that he had “categorically” ruled out the introduction of a pay-per-mile scheme as well as any tightening of Ulez emissions standards. Continue reading...
03/24/2024 - 00:09
Crowds gather in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and regional centres urging Albanese government to better preserve native wildlife habitats Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast Over 4,000 people have marched across Australia’s capital cities and in regional centres, calling for an end to native forest logging. Crowds gathered in Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide, as well as regional centres of Newcastle, Bega, Kyneton, Lismore and Bellingen, as part of the March in March for Forests organised by the Bob Brown Foundation. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...
03/23/2024 - 08:00
For 41 years, the charming Theodore Payne Wild Flower Hotline has led people to California’s most bountiful blooms For Californians, it is a rite of spring to seek the yearly wildflower blooms that erupt across arid shrublands, hillsides and desert landscapes in kaleidoscopic colour. For the past 41 years, the Theodore Payne Wild Flower Hotline has helped guide their journeys. Wildflower seekers in southern California can dial (818) 768-1802, ext 7, for counsel on where to locate the best and most bountiful blooms in the region. Continue reading...
03/23/2024 - 03:00
Heritage orchard at RHS Rosemoor to be sampled this spring as part of search for previously unrecorded ‘survivor’ cultivars Gardeners are searching for lost apple varieties by sequencing the genetics of trees in ancient orchards, in the hope they hold traits that can help the fruit survive climate breakdown. Heritage apple trees at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) garden Rosemoor will be sampled this spring with the aim of finding species of apple enjoyed by people hundreds of years ago. Continue reading...
03/22/2024 - 08:58
Critics say it is a missed chance to recognise that the planet irrevocably left its natural state in the mid-20th century The guardians of the world’s official geological timescale have firmly rejected a proposal to declare an Anthropocene epoch, after an epic academic row. The proposal would have designated the period from 1952 as the Anthropocene to reflect the planet-changing impact of humanity. It would have ended the Holocene epoch, the 11,700 years of stable climate since the last ice age and during which human civilisation arose. Continue reading...
03/22/2024 - 08:48
More than 100 cherry blossom trees getting the axe over the summer when crews begin work to replace crumbling seawall A legendary, gnarled old cherry tree nicknamed Stumpy that became a social media phenom is about to have its last selfies in this spring’s annual cherry blossom festivities in Washington DC. Stumpy has been listed for the chop, along with more than 100 other cherry trees along the famous walks near the Jefferson Memorial in the capital – and the climate crisis is part of the equation. Continue reading...