Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves en Trump’s EPA eliminates research and development office and begins layoffs https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/trump-s-epa-eliminates-research-and-development-office-and-begins-layoffs <p>Administration’s move to cut thousands of agency jobs will be devastating for US public health, union warns</p> <p>The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Friday it is eliminating its research and development arm and reducing agency staff by thousands of employees. One union leader said the moves “will devastate public health in our country”.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/trump-s-epa-eliminates-research-and-development-office-and-begins-layoffs" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 19 Jul 2025 13:56:27 +0000 admin 100690 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Exposure to a mix of pesticides raises risk of pregnancy complications, study suggests https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/exposure-mix-pesticides-raises-risk-pregnancy-complications-study-suggests <p>Research looks at health impacts of being exposed to multiple pesticides versus just one substance</p> <p>Exposure to multiple pesticides increases the chances of pregnancy complications compared to exposure to just one pesticide, new <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653525004722#abs0020">peer-reviewed research</a> suggests. The findings raise new questions about the safety of exposure to widely used pesticides and herbicides in food and agricultural communities.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/exposure-mix-pesticides-raises-risk-pregnancy-complications-study-suggests" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 19 Jul 2025 13:00:21 +0000 admin 100689 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Marine biodiversity change impacts relational values: expert survey shows policy mismatch https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/marine-biodiversity-change-impacts-relational-values-expert-survey-shows-policy-mismat <p>npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 19 July 2025; <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-025-00148-z">doi:10.1038/s44183-025-00148-z</a></p> <p>Marine biodiversity change impacts relational values: expert survey shows policy mismatch</p> Sat, 19 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000 admin 100688 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org The Guardian view on the cultural life of trees: we must protect our natural heritage | Editorial https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/guardian-view-cultural-life-trees-we-must-protect-our-natural-heritage-editorial <p>From Shakespeare to Radiohead, ancient woodlands have shaped the UK’s creative landscape. They deserve to be celebrated</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/guardian-view-cultural-life-trees-we-must-protect-our-natural-heritage-editorial" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 16:36:41 +0000 admin 100686 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Ken Henry is right to be a bit worked up – he has a solid reform plan ready to go for an emboldened Labor | Tom McIlroy https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ken-henry-right-be-bit-worked-he-has-solid-reform-plan-ready-go-emboldened-labor-tom-m <p>With tax reform back on the agenda thanks to the productivity roundtable, Henry’s 2010 review has a lot of answers to the biggest challenges facing the Albanese government</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/ken-henry-right-be-bit-worked-he-has-solid-reform-plan-ready-go-emboldened-labor-tom-m" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 15:00:56 +0000 admin 100685 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Ofwat to be abolished as ministers look to create new water regulator https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ofwat-be-abolished-ministers-look-create-new-water-regulator <p>Watchdog has faced intense criticism over sewage spills, shareholder payouts and ballooning debts</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/18/serious-pollution-incidents-englands-water-companies-data">Serious pollution incidents by English water firms rose 60% last year</a></p> </li> </ul> <p>England and Wales’ embattled water regulator will be abolished under recommendations from a government-commissioned review due out on Monday, the Guardian understands.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ofwat-be-abolished-ministers-look-create-new-water-regulator" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 12:22:16 +0000 admin 100684 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org US wetlands ‘restored’ using treated sewage tainted with forever chemicals https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/us-wetlands-restored-using-treated-sewage-tainted-forever-chemicals <p>Use of wastewater treatment plant effluent containing Pfas threatens wildlife, food and drinking water, advocates say</p> <p>Many of the nation’s wetlands are being filled with toxic Pfas “forever chemicals” as wastewater treatment plant effluent tainted with the compounds is increasingly used to restore swampland and other waters. The practice threatens wildlife, food and drinking water sources, environmental advocates warn.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/us-wetlands-restored-using-treated-sewage-tainted-forever-chemicals" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:00:49 +0000 admin 100682 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Labour MPs challenge Richard Tice over Reform UK’s plan to scrap green projects https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/labour-mps-challenge-richard-tice-over-reform-uk-s-plan-scrap-green-projects <p>Exclusive: Letter signed by 59 MPs criticises party’s deputy leader after his warning to energy firms over new contracts</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/jul/18/diane-abbott-labour-keir-starmer-uk-politics-latest-news-updates">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/labour-mps-challenge-richard-tice-over-reform-uk-s-plan-scrap-green-projects" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:52:36 +0000 admin 100683 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Green groups fear business sector will dominate debate at Chalmers’ roundtable at environment’s expense https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/green-groups-fear-business-sector-will-dominate-debate-chalmers-roundtable-environment <p>Current list of 24 invitees to next month’s economic reform summit includes only one environmental representative</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>Environmentalists fear they are being shut out of the economic debate after peak nature groups were overlooked for invites to Jim Chalmers’ reform roundtable.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/green-groups-fear-business-sector-will-dominate-debate-chalmers-roundtable-environment" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 09:07:14 +0000 admin 100681 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Serious pollution incidents by English water companies rose 60% last year https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/serious-pollution-incidents-english-water-companies-rose-60-last-year <p>Environment Agency records 75 serious incidents among total of 2,800, with Thames Water being worst offender</p> <p>Serious pollution incidents by water companies were up 60% last year compared with the year before, data has revealed.</p> <p>These incidents are the most environmentally damaging and indicate that the sewage spill or other pollution incident has a serious, extensive or persistent impact on the environment, people or property. They could, for example, result in mass fish deaths in rivers.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/serious-pollution-incidents-english-water-companies-rose-60-last-year" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:27:47 +0000 admin 100679 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org