Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Heat-pump homes put less strain on grid than expected, study shows

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:00:07 +0000

Analysis of new-builds in Birmingham suggests all-electric homes not only use less energy but vary in peak usage

Some of the first homes in the UK designed to meet new building standards put less pressure on the electricity grid than expected, a study has found.

The all-electric properties in Handsworth, Birmingham, have heat pumps, which use electricity to provide heat rather than oil or gas.

'Exceptionally rare' pink grasshopper spotted by New Zealand ranger – video

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:41:27 +0000

Researchers from New Zealand's conservation department conducting an annual grasshopper survey near Lake Tekapo on the South Island have spotted a rare pink grasshopper. The species – the robust grasshopper – is native to New Zealand and is the country’s largest lowland grasshopper. The pink hue is thought to be caused by a genetic mutation, as the insect is typically grey or brown like the river stones of its native habitat in the MacKenzie basin

Keeping promises on renewables, energy efficiency and methane ‘would avoid nearly 1C of global heating’

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:00:08 +0000

Analysis published at Cop30 summit shows adhering to pledges offer world hope of avoiding climate breakdown

Sticking to three key climate promises – on renewables, energy efficiency and methane – would avoid nearly 1C of global heating and give the world hope of avoiding climate breakdown, analysis published at the Cop30 climate summit suggests.

Governments have already agreed to triple the amount of renewable energy generated by 2030, double global energy efficiency by then, and make substantial cuts to methane emissions.

Onboard the world’s largest sailing cargo ship: is this the future of travel and transport?

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:00:06 +0000

The Neoliner Origin set off on its inaugural two-week voyage from France to the US with the aim of revolutionising the notoriously dirty shipping industry

It is 8pm on a Saturday evening and eight of us are sitting at a table onboard a ship, holding on to our plates of spaghetti carbonara as our chairs slide back and forth. Michel Péry, the dinner’s host, downplays the weather as a “tempête de journalistes” – something sailors would not categorise as a storm, but which drama-seeking journalists might refer to as such to entertain their readers.

Tropical cyclone Fina on torrential path to hit northern Australian coast this week

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:36:58 +0000

If it makes impact on Friday, it would be the earliest cyclone of the season to make landfall in Australia since 1973

If tropical cyclone Fina crosses the Northern Territory coast on Friday, it could equal the earliest cyclone to make landfall in Australia.

‘Exceptionally rare’ pink grasshopper spotted in New Zealand

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 03:03:39 +0000

The native species is typically grey or brown and the pink hue is thought to be caused by a genetic mutation

An “exceptionally rare” pink grasshopper has been spotted basking in the sun alongside a river in New Zealand’s South Island.

A group of department of conservation researchers were conducting their annual grasshopper survey near Lake Tekapo in the MacKenzie basin when they came across the dark pink female critter.

Stranded whale euthanized after failed rescue attempt off Oregon coast

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 22:19:56 +0000

Young humpback whale was found washed ashore and individuals had rallied together to try to help

A humpback whale stranded off the coast of Oregon was euthanized on Monday following a failed rescue attempt from several organizations and agencies.

More than 80 countries at Cop30 join call for roadmap to fossil fuel phase-out

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:24:45 +0000

Countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Pacific and Europe plead for transition to be central outcome of talks

More than 80 countries have joined a call for a roadmap to phasing out fossil fuels, in a dramatic intervention into stuck negotiations at the UN Cop30 climate summit.

Surgeons reattach 10-year-old girl’s hand nearly lost in Florida shark attack

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:01:53 +0000

Leah Lendel was bitten by a bull shark as she was snorkeling with her family from a beach in Boca Grande

A 10-year-old girl whose hand was reattached after it was severed in a shark attack has spoken of her remarkable recovery after a “miracle” six-hour operation that has allowed her to resume knitting outfits for her beloved Barbie dolls.

Bhutan PM on leading the first carbon-negative nation: ‘The wellbeing of our people is at the centre of our agenda’

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:00:51 +0000

Exclusive: Tshering Tobgay says his country is doing ‘a lot more than our fair share’ on climate and west must cut emissions ‘for the happiness of your people’

The wealthy western countries most responsible for the climate crisis would improve the health and happiness of their citizens by prioritising environmental conservation and sustainable economic growth, according to the prime minister of Bhutan, the world’s first carbon-negative nation.