Breaking Waves: Ocean News

NSW and Queensland floods update: Ipswich avoids severe flooding by inches as more rain forecast in wake of Cyclone Alfred

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:29:23 +0000

Rain expected to batter parts of Qld and northern NSW, with major flood warnings for Bremer River and Warrill Creek, and Logan River south of Brisbane

Microplastics hinder plant photosynthesis, study finds, threatening millions with starvation

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:00:18 +0000

Researchers say problem could increase number of people at risk of starvation by 400m in next two decades

The pollution of the planet by microplastics is significantly cutting food supplies by damaging the ability of plants to photosynthesise, according to a new assessment.

The analysis estimates that between 4% and 14% of the world’s staple crops of wheat, rice and maize is being lost due to the pervasive particles. It could get even worse, the scientists said, as more microplastics pour into the environment.

Argentina flooding: 16 killed as two girls swept away by rising waters

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 18:05:37 +0000

Authorities warn more fatalities expected as a year’s worth of rain falls on Bahía Blanca in eight hours

Rescue teams in Argentina are searching for two girls, aged one and five, who were swept away by severe floods that ripped through Buenos Aires province, killing at least 16 people.

What the world needs now is more fossil fuels, says Trump’s energy secretary

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:17:29 +0000

Chris Wright signals abandonment of Biden’s ‘irrational, quasi-religious’ climate policies at industry conference

The world needs more planet-heating fossil fuel, not less, Donald Trump’s newly appointed energy secretary, Chris Wright, told oil and gas bigwigs on Monday.

When Cyclone Alfred forced a wildlife hospital to close, this rescue koala found a new place to recuperate

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:00:13 +0000

Laura Leaf had a sick possum for company when she spent three nights in a spare room at Mallory Wilson’s Nerang home

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Laura Leaf, a rescued koala, was the last surgery of the day at Currumbin wildlife hospital, just hours before its doors were due to close to ride out Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

To win the bush, Australian politics needs to embrace its 'curves' | Nick Rodway

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:00:13 +0000

Regional voters are often stereotyped so I propose a new demographic category ahead of the election: conservative, uncommitted rural voters with environmental sympathies

Sea lions sickened as toxic algae threatens California’s marine mammals

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:00:12 +0000

Number of animals affected by neurological toxin increases in past week as experts warn of impact from climate crisis

The number of marine mammals in California affected by a neurological toxin from algae has surged in the past week, in what could be another deadly year for animals such as sea lions, seals, dolphins and larger whales.

A beaver: to get attention they will slap the water with their tails | Helen Sullivan

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:00:11 +0000

They prefer to carry branches in their teeth, like dogs. And when they swim, they hold their front paws to their chests, like a severe governess in a Victorian novel

Plants, animals and insects come to Britain from all over the world. It would be a mistake to welcome them all | Tim Blackburn

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:00:30 +0000

Biodiversity is great in theory, but there are reasons to fend off invasive species and the knock-on effect of their presence

Weatherwatch: Year’s worth of rain falls in Argentinian city in eight hours

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 10:48:22 +0000

Rainfall in Bahía Blanca led to 10 deaths, swept away vehicles, destroyed bridges and left areas underwater

The city of Bahía Blanca in Argentina had a new rainfall record on Friday, after a recent heatwave. More than 400mm (15.7in) of rain was recorded in just eight hours, more than twice the city’s previous record of 175mm set in 1930, and roughly equivalent to a year’s worth of rainfall.