Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Scramble for biofuel as oil prices rise ‘could push world closer to food crisis’

admin — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:00:26 +0000

Experts say increased use of crops for fuel is ‘dangerous game’ that could send food price inflation soaring

Demand for biofuels is likely to leap by nearly a third this year, which could send food price inflation soaring further and push the world closer to a global food crisis.

More than 100,000 cockroaches worth $200,000 seized from NSW breeder in record-breaking bust

admin — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:22:10 +0000

The invertebrates were likely destined for the pet trade, including as reptile food

Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

Mule deer already using incomplete $20m wildlife bridge in California

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:42:43 +0000

Within the last few days, a camera trap caught images of three mule deer using structure for the first time

A trio of mule deer have already scuttled across a not-quite-finished $20m wildlife bridge in Siskiyou county, marking a triumph for the California department of transportation (Caltrans).

The bridge with its accompanying fencing over Route 97 in Siskiyou county is the first wildlife crossing constructed over a major highway in California. The project promises to both improve driver safety and reduce mortality for migrating mule deer, elk and other animal species.

Wildfire smoke has reversed US progress toward ozone air quality, study finds

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:16:15 +0000

Since 2015, fires have undone years of effort to reduce ozone levels, underscoring a growing public health crisis

The highly destructive wildfires that have battered the US and North America in recent years have significantly increased emissions and been linked to tens of thousands of premature deaths, but their impact on air quality is greater than previously known, according to new research.

Hampstead Heath ponds to remain trans-inclusive after public back existing rules

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:05:09 +0000

Policy agreement means trans people will continue to have access to Kenwood Ladies’ and Highgate Men’s ponds in north-west London

The bathing ponds at Hampstead Heath in north-west London will remain trans-inclusive after a public consultation overwhelmingly favoured its existing rules.

There are gender-segregated ponds for men and women, with trans people able to swim in whichever they feel most appropriate, or use the heath’s mixed-gender pond instead.

‘They surprise me every time’: bees can use tools to solve problems, study finds

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:00:12 +0000

Insects join list of species capable of solving simple ‘box-and-banana’ problem that demonstrates basic intelligence

Bumblebees can use tools to solve a problem, according to experiments that demonstrate their remarkably advanced cognitive abilities.

Canada endorses embattled marine park’s plan to relocate 30 beluga whales

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:40:41 +0000

Beluga whales, which Marineland threatened to euthanize in 2025, will be moved to sanctuaries in Spain or across US

Canada and an embattled marine park have reached a tentative deal on the future of 30 beluga whales, ending a saga that has captivated the public and angered animal rights groups.

Trump uses wartime powers to dole out $700m to ‘clean, beautiful’ coal

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:28:06 +0000

US president announces plans for two new coal plants, in Alaska and West Virginia, using Defense Production Act

Donald Trump is using wartime presidential authority to hand $700m to coal-fired power plants in the US, the latest move by the president to bolster what he called “clean, beautiful coal”, despite it being the dirtiest of fossil fuels.

California and New York weaken climate rules as red states ramp up green energy

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:00:10 +0000

Republican-led states growing renewable capabilities at faster rate as Texas emerges as clean-energy leader

Democratic-led states are eroding their climate policies, as red states are scaling up their clean energy deployment.

‘That’s a bad combination’: why Australia may be in for a slushy snow season

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:00:09 +0000

Snow arrives in time for the start of ski season, but climate change and El Niño mean it may not stick around for long, experts say

Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates