Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Enforcement of laws against polluters nearly non-existent in US, analysis finds

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:00:25 +0000

EPA’s records show one environmental consent decree filed in last year – 26 were filed in year one of first Trump term

Enforcement of environmental laws against major polluters has virtually ground to a halt under the Trump administration, a new analysis of Environmental Protection Agency records from January 2025 to January 2026 shows.

Major polluters typically include companies that are among the largest in the oil, gas, coal and chemical industries.

Heathrow isn’t crowded, it’s travellers walking on the wrong side, boss reveals

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:50:00 +0000

Thomas Woldbye says part of airport’s problem is UK passengers walk on the left while others walk on the right

Heathrow airport has revealed a crowding problem that a third runway cannot solve: British and foreign travellers walk on different sides, and keep colliding, according to its chief executive.

Thomas Woldbye said that while Heathrow serviced more passengers in a smaller overall area than comparable European hubs, part of the London airport’s trouble was the differing continental sense of direction.

Week in wildlife: a thirsty raccoon, a superhero squid and a delinquent swan

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:00:38 +0000

This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world

River Thames spot among 13 sites shortlisted for swimming status

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:00:37 +0000

Choice could prove difficult for Thames Water, which is trying to push through a water recycling scheme nearby

The first designated bathing water area on the River Thames in London has been shortlisted as one of 13 new monitored swimming areas across the country.

The Thames at Ham, in south-west London, was shortlisted as a new river bathing water after campaigners gathered evidence to show thousands of people use the river for swimming throughout the year.

‘We are hopeful’: small signs of recovery for Scotland’s rare capercaillie bird

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:37 +0000

Number of males at RSPB Abernethy rises to 30, after ‘huge amount of work’ by conservationists in Highlands forests

After decades of decline, there are signs of hope for the capercaillie, one of Britain’s most endangered birds.

Populations of the charismatic grouse, which is found only in the Caledonian pine forests of the Scottish Highlands, have increased by 50%, from 20 males in 2020 to 30 in 2025 at RSPB Abernethy.

Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat inside its economic zone amid Beijing rift

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:19:57 +0000

Japan says vessel failed to comply with order to stop, with incident coming weeks after row with China over Taiwan

Authorities in Japan have seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its captain in a move that is likely to inflame an ongoing diplomatic row between Tokyo and Beijing.

Tony Blair’s thinktank accuses Ed Miliband of driving up energy prices

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:01:30 +0000

Report by Tony Blair Institute urges government to drop some green policies amid criticism of decarbonisation goal

Analysis: Blair’s oil lobbying is a misleading rehash of fossil fuel industry spin

Tony Blair’s thinktank has accused Ed Miliband of driving up energy prices in his push to make Britain’s energy supply more environmentally friendly.

Trump’s EPA repeals landmark climate finding in gift to ‘billionaire polluters’

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:03:25 +0000

Rollback of government’s ability to limit climate-heating pollution will make families ‘sicker and less safe’, environmental advocate says

The Trump administration has revoked the bedrock scientific determination that gives the government the ability to regulate climate-heating pollution. The move was described as a gift to “billionaire polluters” at the expense of Americans’ health.

China’s Yangtze River shows signs of remarkable recovery after fishing ban

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:00:22 +0000

Doubling of fish biomass and rebounding of endangered species shows government measures starting to work, biologists say

The Yangtze River in China, which has been in ecological decline for 70 years, is showing signs of recovery thanks to a sweeping fishing ban.

The ban was made more effective by the implementation of “evolutionary game theory”, which included finding alternative employment for fishers.

Trump named ‘undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal’ by industry group

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:36:19 +0000

Award was presented as president directed Pentagon to buy billions of dollars’ worth of energy from coal plants

Donald Trump was crowned the “undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal” during a White House ceremony on Wednesday, during which the president received a trophy after ordering the US defense department to purchase billions of dollars’ worth of power from coal plants.