Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en Hunger’s whip: why connecting US food stamps to work is outdated and ineffective https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hunger-s-whip-why-connecting-us-food-stamps-work-outdated-and-ineffective <p>In many parts of the country, there are new work requirements to get food aid. But starving people doesn’t motivate them – despite centuries of this rhetoric</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hunger-s-whip-why-connecting-us-food-stamps-work-outdated-and-ineffective" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:00:11 +0000 admin 102157 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Families washed out of tents as flood waters course through Gaza https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/families-washed-out-tents-flood-waters-course-through-gaza <p>Gaza has been hit by heavy rains and low temperatures, deepening the misery of most of its 2.2 million population who are living in tents after two years of Israeli bombardment. Thousands of homeless people have been washed out of their makeshift shelters and forced to seek emergency refuge</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2025/dec/12/gaza-families-tents-floodwaters-israel">Continue reading...</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:26:02 +0000 admin 102156 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Flooding remains threat in Pacific north-west as Washington declares emergency https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/flooding-remains-threat-pacific-north-west-washington-declares-emergency <p>Torrential rain has caused mudslides, washed out roads and submerged vehicles with more deluges expected on Sunday</p> <p>Dangerous <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/flooding">flood</a> waters from historically swollen rivers in the Pacific north-west were continuing to cause a huge threat on Friday as 100,000 people in the area were under evacuation warnings and more deluges are due on Sunday.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/flooding-remains-threat-pacific-north-west-washington-declares-emergency" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:53:14 +0000 admin 102153 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Opening up Victoria’s Otway basin to offshore gas exploration an ‘environmental betrayal’, Greens say https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/opening-victoria-s-otway-basin-offshore-gas-exploration-environmental-betrayal-greens- <p>Federal resources minister Madeleine King announces five new offshore exploration zones as part of future gas strategy</p> <ul> <li> <p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/opening-victoria-s-otway-basin-offshore-gas-exploration-environmental-betrayal-greens-" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:00:09 +0000 admin 102154 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Coalmine expansions would breach climate targets, NSW government warned in ‘game-changer’ report https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/coalmine-expansions-would-breach-climate-targets-nsw-government-warned-game-changer-re <p>Environmental advocates welcome Net Zero Commission’s report which found the fossil fuel was ‘not consistent’ with emissions reductions commitments </p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/10/sign-up-for-the-clear-air-australia-environment-newsletter-with-adam-morton?CMP=cvau_sfl">Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/coalmine-expansions-would-breach-climate-targets-nsw-government-warned-game-changer-re" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:00:06 +0000 admin 102155 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Indonesia floods were ‘extinction level’ disturbance for world’s rarest ape https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/indonesia-floods-were-extinction-level-disturbance-world-s-rarest-ape <p>Conservationists fear up to 11% of Tapanuli orangutan population perished in disaster that also killed 1,000 people</p> <p>The skull of a Tapanuli orangutan, caked in debris, stares out from a tomb of mud in North Sumatra, killed in catastrophic flooding that swept through Indonesia.</p> <p>The late November floods have been an “extinction-level disturbance” for the world’s rarest great ape, scientists have said, causing catastrophic damage to its habitat and survival prospects.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/indonesia-floods-were-extinction-level-disturbance-world-s-rarest-ape" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:42:26 +0000 admin 102152 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘Soil is more important than oil’: inside the perennial grain revolution https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/soil-more-important-oil-inside-perennial-grain-revolution <p>Scientists in Kansas believe Kernza could cut emissions, restore degraded soils and reshape the future of agriculture</p> <p>On the concrete floor of a greenhouse in rural Kansas stands a neat grid of 100 plastic plant pots, each holding a straggly crown of strappy, grass-like leaves. These plants are perennials – they keep growing, year after year. That single characteristic separates them from soya beans, wheat, maize, rice and every other major grain crop, all of which are annuals: plants that live and die within a single growing season.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/soil-more-important-oil-inside-perennial-grain-revolution" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:00:05 +0000 admin 102151 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org The Paris climate treaty changed the world. Here’s how | Rebecca Solnit https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/paris-climate-treaty-changed-world-here-s-how-rebecca-solnit <p>There’s much more to do, but we should be encouraged by the progress we have made</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/paris-climate-treaty-changed-world-here-s-how-rebecca-solnit" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:00:34 +0000 admin 102150 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org EA to spend millions clearing Oxfordshire illegal waste mountain in break with policy https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ea-spend-millions-clearing-oxfordshire-illegal-waste-mountain-break-policy <p>Announcement draws anger from Labour MP over refusal to remove tonnes of rubbish dumped near school in Wigan</p> <p>The Environment Agency is to spend millions of pounds to clear an enormous illegal rubbish dump in Oxfordshire, saying the waste is at risk of catching fire.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ea-spend-millions-clearing-oxfordshire-illegal-waste-mountain-break-policy" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:47:03 +0000 admin 102149 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Hightailing along city streets and raiding ponds: otters’ revival in Britain https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hightailing-along-city-streets-and-raiding-ponds-otters-revival-britain <p>Still rare only 20 years ago, the charismatic animals are in almost every UK river and a conservation success story</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hightailing-along-city-streets-and-raiding-ponds-otters-revival-britain" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:00:33 +0000 admin 102148 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org