Breaking Waves: Ocean News

How the stunning and steady flight of the kestrel is informing the future of drone design – video

admin — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 06:00:24 +0000

A new study is mapping the secrets to the remarkably steady flight of kestrels, which could inform future drone designs and help achieve steadier flight in fixed wing aircraft. Scientists later hope to adapt the data so it can be applied to larger aircraft

Sea, sand and sky-high fees: Italians tussle over their right to lie on the beach

admin — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 04:00:24 +0000

Much of Italy’s beachfront is in the hands of family-run concessions who operate exclusive clubs or charge big money for umbrellas and loungers. But a new EU law is rallying activists on both sides

Photographs by Roberto Salomone

“Most Italians don’t know they have the right to go to the beach for free,” says Manuela Salvi, planting her umbrella in the sand of a private beach club in Gaeta, a small seaside town in central Italy. “They are used to paying to go to the seaside. And if we don’t make our voices heard, the institutions will think we’re fine with it.”

Ocado starts trial selling everyday products in refillable packaging

admin — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 04:00:23 +0000

First phase of trial starts this month and includes rice and pasta

Ocado is testing offering everyday products such as pasta, rice and washing liquid in refillable packaging in a first by an online supermarket.

The scheme will trial a reusable vessel that can take food or laundry products with no extra costs for customers.

‘Cruisezilla’ passenger ships have doubled in size since 2000, campaigners warn

admin — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 22:01:16 +0000

Experts say booming demand for holidays afloat mean ocean liners’ burden on the environment is growing

The huge passenger vessels sometimes known as “cruisezillas” are getting bigger than ever, according to new research which has found that the world’s biggest cruise ships have doubled in size since 2000.

New York City subway riders are breathing in hazardous air, study finds

admin — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:08:56 +0000

Study shows average platform has four times the level of pollution exposure deemed safe by EPA

New York City subway riders are breathing in hazardous air, with Black and Hispanic commuters exposed to higher levels of pollution, a new study shows.

Repeating climate denial claims makes them seem more credible, Australian-led study finds

admin — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:00:12 +0000

Even those who are concerned about climate crisis were influenced by false claims, showing how ‘insidious’ repetition is, researcher says

Death toll for birds hitting buildings may be over 1 billion a year in US – report

admin — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:00:12 +0000

Only 40% of birds survive collisions with windows, researchers say, suggesting that mortality rates are far higher than previously thought

Less than half of stunned or injured birds survive a collision with a window, research has found, pushing up estimates that more than 1 billion birds may die each year from flying into buildings in the US.

Maui celebrates recovery of 151-year-old banyan tree after 2023 wildfire damage

admin — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 15:05:21 +0000

Community landmark is now thriving and bearing fruit after about half its branches died due to intense heat

When a deadly wildfire tore through Lahaina on Maui last August, the wall of flames scorched the 151-year-old banyan tree along the historic town’s Front Street. But the sprawling tree survived the blaze, and thanks to the efforts of arborists and dedicated volunteers, parts of it are growing back – and even thriving.

NSW waste industry faces crackdown on recycled soil after asbestos found in more than half facilities tested

admin — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 15:00:06 +0000

Exclusive: Watchdog says it ordered disposal of more than 600 tonnes of soil fill, fined three facilities and is considering ‘significant changes’ to rules following Guardian investigation

Hottest ocean temperatures in 400 years an ‘existential threat’ to the Great Barrier Reef, report finds

admin — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 15:00:05 +0000

Researchers say coral analysis shows recent extreme temperatures would not have happened without greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels