Breaking Waves: Ocean News

UK public warned after huge rise in fires caused by binned batteries

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:11:54 +0000

Fire chief says incorrect disposal of devices powered by lithium-ion batteries are ‘disaster waiting to happen’

Fires caused by batteries in waste have gone up by 71% in the UK since 2022, as the rise of disposable vapes and other portable battery-powered devices leads to more lithium-ion batteries ending up in the bin.

Two Just Stop Oil protesters attack Magna Carta’s glass case

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:07:43 +0000

Group says two women in their 80s took hammer and chisel to protective glass at British Library

Two Just Stop Oil protesters have smashed the glass around Magna Carta at the British Library.

The Rev Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judy Bruce, 85, a retired biology teacher, targeted the protective enclosure with a hammer and chisel on Friday morning.

Chelsea flower show to introduce green medal to award eco-friendly gardens

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:00:18 +0000

All designers who have gone through carbon audit are eligible for consideration for green award

A green medal for sustainability is to be introduced at the Chelsea flower show, rewarding gardens with the lowest carbon impact.

Landscape designers are reporting that clients are commissioning them to make their gardens more wildlife-rich and eco-friendly, and that nature-friendly gardening is becoming increasingly important.

Juice: Wimbledon tennis fans may savour bigger strawberries after wet weather

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 12:05:18 +0000

British-grown fruit much bigger after unusual winter and spring conditions led to slower ripening

Tennis fans may be treated to juicier strawberries at Wimbledon this year after a wet and dark winter slowed growing times, resulting in bigger and more flavoursome fruits.

Growers said the further wet and cold weather this spring, as well as less sunlight, had delayed the British strawberry season by a fortnight, with the main harvest expected at the end of this month.

A (mostly) scientific ranking of takeout containers – from worst to best for the environment

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 12:00:06 +0000

One way to mitigate the eco-guilt of a to-go habit is to choose restaurants that serve food in sustainable containers

Getting restaurant meals to go often comes with a side of guilt: “Did I need to supersize? I should have saved the money and cooked at home.” And the final sting, perhaps muttered while hovering over the trash and recycling bins deciding where to toss the empty boxes: “Oh, the waste.”

Adder girl! Tunnels aim to encourage British snakes to mix and breed

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 11:00:07 +0000

Trust builds passes under road bisecting Berkshire commons for increasingly endangered venomous snake

How did the adder cross the road? It didn’t – it was too scared.

Now, however, road-shy populations of the increasingly endangered snake are being given a helping hand with the construction of Britain’s first adder tunnels.

Farmers’ union lobbied to increase pesticide limit in UK drinking water

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 09:00:09 +0000

NFU’s director of strategy asked for review of EU-derived protections as part of post-Brexit loosening of rules

The National Farmers’ Union lobbied to increase the amount of pesticides allowed in the UK’s drinking water and to allow farmers to spread manure more frequently as part of a post-Brexit loosening of environmental regulations, it can be revealed.

Week in wildlife – in pictures: an eel gets a shock, bees take Manhattan and a possum on the pitch

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 07:00:35 +0000

The best of this week’s wildlife photographs from around the world

Fixation on UK nuclear power may not help to solve climate crisis

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 05:00:31 +0000

Waste and cost among drawbacks, as researchers say renewables could power UK entirely

In the battle to prevent the climate overheating, wind and solar are making impressive inroads into the once dominant market share of coal. Even investors in gas plants are increasingly seen as taking a gamble.

Mass planting of marsh violets key to saving rare UK butterfly, says National Trust

admin — Fri, 10 May 2024 05:00:31 +0000

Trust aims to boost small pearl-bordered fritillary colonies in Shropshire Hills by planting 20,000 violets this year for their caterpillars

A mass planting of marsh violets across England’s Shropshire Hills is to take place to try to prevent further decline of the small pearl-bordered fritillary or Boloria selene, a rare UK butterfly.