Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Cop31: what is at stake at the UN climate summit and what can it achieve?

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 11:00:38 +0000

Delegates from more than 190 countries are gathering in Turkey for climate talks, but the US will be absent

As the planet faces unprecedented human-caused global heating, heads of government are meeting for the next fortnight for the latest round of climate talks. We ask why it matters and what is likely to be achieved.

Who’s who at Cop31: key players at the climate talks

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 11:00:16 +0000

What are the relationships and dominant interests in play, as the summit kicks off after a bitter row over its hosting?

Environmentalists criticise choice of Earthshot prize venue owned by fossil fuel firm

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 06:00:33 +0000

Mumbai facility is part of Reliance Industries, owner of world’s biggest oil refinery and funder of controversial mega-zoo

Cold blast brings springtime snow to alpine regions as temperatures plummet across Australia’s south-east

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 02:34:19 +0000

Thredbo, Perisher and Mount Hotham all recorded falls, along with Kunanyi/Mount Wellington in Tasmania

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Snow has fallen across parts of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania as an unseasonal cold blast whips through Australia’s south-east.

How do you broker UN climate talks when your own country is a big coal and gas exporter? Chris Bowen is about to find out

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 19:00:20 +0000

Ahead of Cop31, climate change minister dismisses concerns about whether Australia as a major producer can keep the world moving away from fossil fuels

Listen to the podcast: Chris Bowen on how he’ll reach consensus at Cop31

Let a thousand blossoms bloom: Sydney’s jacarandas put on their spring show – in pictures

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 19:00:20 +0000

The city enters its purple patch with jacaranda trees blazing into flower in the warmer weather. Every October and November the fast-growing trees are festooned with trumpet-shaped blossoms that soon carpet the ground below them, drawing sightseers, photographers – and people taking photos of people taking photos

Blooming beautiful! The Tesselaar tulip festival – in pictures

New ‘high safety’ chemicals in plastic food packaging linked to lower birth weight, study finds

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 12:00:13 +0000

Dinch, an allegedly ‘safe’ alternative, used in the EU and US also found to cause fetal development complications

Exposure to a new generation of allegedly “safe” plasticizers is linked to lower birth weight and fetal development complications, which could cause serious health problems later in life, a new peer-reviewed study found.

Scientists discover Europe's ancient forests were nothing like we imagined

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 09:44:48 +0000

Scientists have uncovered evidence that Europe was dominated for more than 20 million years by open woodlands, colorful meadows, and large grazing animals, not the dense forests long considered its natural state. The surprising discovery challenges modern reforestation strategies, suggesting that planting thick forests could actually harm the biodiversity conservationists hope to protect.

Autumn colours around the world – in pictures

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 08:30:05 +0000

The seasonal transformation offers the chance to enjoy warm, golden colours before winter

Famous New Mexico rock formation destroyed after torrential El Niño rains

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 19:23:03 +0000

Officials expected to investigate whether super El Niño storms in US south-west damaged the Alien Throne spires

Undulating, gravity-defying rock spires are one of the most magical parts of the landscape of the US south-west.

But after torrential rainstorms linked to the super El Niño season, at least one famous rock formation in north-west New Mexico has been found in pieces.