Breaking Waves: Ocean News

‘Planetary boundaries’ necessary for flourishing of life have been massively breached, scientists warn

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:00:33 +0000

New report shows key indicators of Earth’s health are ‘outside the safe operating space’ as climate disaster looms

The planetary life support systems relied upon by humans have deteriorated to their worst levels ever recorded amid ongoing pollution and habitat destruction, according to a key yet grim annual update by scientists.

Of the nine “planetary boundaries” that help determine whether life can flourish on Earth, seven are being breached at their highest ever levels of transgression, according to the latest planetary health check, a process that was established in 2009.

‘Jaw-dropping’ El Niño bursts through temperature record months before peak

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:25:04 +0000

‘Godzilla-level’ phenomenon is supercharging the climate crisis and will have a huge impact on communities across the world

The “jaw-dropping” El Niño currently heating up the planet has burst through the highest temperature ever recorded for the phenomenon, several months before its expected peak.

Amazon study reveals the best strategies for protecting biodiversity and carbon

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:54:17 +0000

A large Amazon study suggests the most powerful conservation move may be protecting the forests that are already standing. Preventing damage from wildfires and logging delivered the greatest biodiversity benefits and nearly matched deforestation prevention for protecting carbon. Restoration remains important, particularly where forests have already been heavily cleared, but it was more expensive and less effective on its own.

Millions of dollars in funding but still no plan: can Quebec save its caribou from extinction?

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:00:23 +0000

The Canadian government has committed C$25m to try to rescue the caribou in the province – but there is no agreement on how best to save the keystone species

‘Incredibly encouraging’: healing the scars of traditional anchors in Dorset’s seagrass meadows

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:00:23 +0000

Eco-moorings help to restore seagrass in just five years, boosting sealife such as seahorses, eels and crabs

One of the UK’s most precious underwater habitats – Dorset’s seagrass meadows – is recovering thanks to “eco moorings” designed to prevent the seabed being ripped up, a study has revealed.

Scars caused by traditional anchors in some areas of seagrass in Studland Bay have almost entirely vanished, which is boosting the number of seahorses that thrive in the submerged meadows.

Tree vaccines and gene-edited butterflies among biotechnology projects funded by UK ‘invention agency’

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:00:21 +0000

Exclusive: The tax-funded brainchild of Dominic Cummings hopes to find ways to speed up wild species’ evolution

Vaccines for ash trees, skin treatments for newts and gene-edited swallowtail butterflies are among 14 tax-funded projects from the UK’s “invention agency” aiming to accelerate nature’s ability to adapt to the climate crisis.

Babies ‘will face almost twice as much’ extreme fire weather in Europe than great-grandparents

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:00:19 +0000

Children born after 2025 will experience three more years of brutally fire-conducive weather as global heating intensifies

European babies will face almost twice as much extreme fire weather as their great-grandparents if climate action does not ramp up quickly, a study has found.

Global heating under current policies will expose a child born in Europe in 2025 to three more years of brutally fire-conducive weather over their lifetime than someone born in 1950, the researchers found.

UK urged to strengthen financial muscle of national wealth fund to aid economy

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:00:35 +0000

Unions, thinktanks and others say overhaul could provide investment Britain needs

Unions, thinktanks, environmental groups and charities have come together to call on ministers to boost the financial firepower of the national wealth fund to empower it to invest more in Britain and rebalance the country’s economy.

More than 800,000 bees stolen across far north Queensland in ‘sophisticated’ operation

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:29 +0000

Apiarists will lose not just the insects but the value of pollination contracts, which can be worth thousands of dollars

Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

Bear-y good neighbors: humans and animals are learning to live together in an expanding LA

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 14:00:17 +0000

People are increasingly crossing paths with the wild animals as homes ring the outskirts of forests, sparking a new era of coexistence

Every year, as summer draws to a close and fall begins, California’s bears get hungry.

Black bears have long roamed the state, hunting for acorns, ants and pine nuts by the bucketload to pack on calories before hibernation. But increasingly, for every berry and root, there’s an even greater temptation: our trash and the detritus of human existence.