Researchers used artificial intelligence algorithm to analyse calls by two herds of African savanna elephants in Kenya
Elephants call out to each other using individual names that they invent for their fellow pachyderms, according to a new study.
While dolphins and parrots have been observed addressing each other by mimicking the sound of others from their species, elephants are the first non-human animals known to use names that do not involve imitation, the researchers suggested.
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Breaking Waves: Ocean News
06/10/2024 - 10:00
In high-density places such as Sydney many drones may hover over an animal at once, amplifying disturbance pressure
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As whales migrate up Australia’s east coast in the coming months, drones are hot on their tails. However, experts warn that low-flying drones seeking a viral shot can disrupt the whales’ migration patterns and may even place their mating season at risk.
Grace Russell, a PhD candidate at Southern Cross University who studies marine mammals with drones, said whales had been known to exhibit disturbance behaviours when drones were flown nearby at low altitudes.
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06/10/2024 - 10:00
The Coalition’s rejection of a 43% cut in emissions by 2030 will have major ramifications for us and the world
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Peter Dutton plans to breach the text and spirit of the landmark Paris climate agreement, backed in 2015 by a Coalition government along with the leaders of more than 190 other countries.
This should be clear to anyone who clicks on this link and reads the deal reached in the French capital.
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06/10/2024 - 09:00
Read more from My DIY climate hack, a new series on everyday people’s creative solutions to the climate crisis
When temperatures creep past 90F in Oakland, California, the mini air-conditioning units in the classrooms at Melrose Leadership Academy can’t keep pace. So the middle schoolers in MLA’s chapter of the climate justice group Youth vs Apocalypse started doing some extra homework: they researched, planned and proposed installing a heat pump on campus.
Heating buildings accounts for 10% of CO2 emissions globally, according to the International Energy Agency. Heat pumps have become an increasingly popular clean-energy technology because they can both heat and cool using electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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06/10/2024 - 07:39
Chinese scientists say further research on potential harm to reproduction from contamination is ‘imperative’
Microplastic pollution has been found in all human semen samples tested in a study, and researchers say further research on the potential harm to reproduction is “imperative”.
Sperm counts in men have been falling for decades and 40% of low counts remain unexplained, although chemical pollution has been implicated by many studies.
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06/10/2024 - 06:00
Blue crabs with no natural predators have been disrupting prized shellfish populations on Italy’s coast. So revenge is on the menu
In a down-to-earth suburb of Catania on Sicily’s east coast, smoke billows from street stands selling traditional grilled horse meat, and local youngsters gather around kiosks selling the region’s unique handmade drink, seltz limone e sale (seltzer with lemon and sea salt). It is here that a family of charismatic ex-fishers have opened a seafood restaurant that bravely challenges long-held regional conventions.
The Salamone family sell all the usual local specialities in their slick new business “La Fish”, such as Sicily’s famous swordfish, sardines and tuna. However, the feature of tonight’s tasting menu – attracting customers who range from local families to food connoisseurs – is a relative newcomer to these shores and to Sicilian tables: the Atlantic blue crab.
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06/10/2024 - 05:11
Former Nationals leader says ‘aspirations have to take a secondary position to the economic reality’ after Peter Dutton said he would oppose government’s targets
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Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce and Morrison cabinet colleague Keith Pitt have called for the Coalition to abandon the Paris global climate change agreement and related emissions reduction targets, as the prime minister accused opposition leader Peter Dutton of walking away from climate action.
Dutton has said he would oppose the government’s target of a 43% cut to 2005-level emissions by 2030, telling the Australian newspaper there was “no sense in signing up to targets you don’t have any prospect of achieving”.
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06/10/2024 - 05:00
The White House has a goal to conserve 30% of US land and water by 2030 – Trump has different plans
A week after his presidential inauguration, Joe Biden cited the climate and biodiversity crises as reasons to set a sweeping new goal – to conserve at least 30% of America’s vast lands and waters by the end of the decade.
Three years on, new protections have spurred meaningful progress towards meeting the target by 2030.
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06/10/2024 - 04:41
Pay rise for Pennon Group CEO Susan Davy comes despite outrage over Devon diarrhoea outbreak caused by polluted water
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The boss of South West Water’s owner has received a pay increase of £300,000, weeks after an outbreak of diarrhoea caused by a parasite in Devon’s water supply.
Susan Davy, the chief executive of Pennon Group, was awarded £860,000 in total pay for the latest financial year, up from £543,000 the year before, according to accounts published on Monday.
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06/10/2024 - 00:00
More than 400 scientists write to political parties urging ambitious action or risk making Britain and the world ‘more dangerous and insecure’
After five years of record heat and record floods, one might assume British politicians would also pay record attention to the climate issue in the current election campaign.
But with the manifestos due this week, concerns are growing that the response of the two main parties will range from tepid progress to a great leap backwards, despite the certainty of further climate chaos during the next parliament.
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