Using evidence from last Ice Age, scientists predict effects of rising seas on coastal habitats

The rapid sea level rise and resulting retreat of coastal habitat seen at the end of the last Ice Age could repeat itself if global average temperatures rise beyond…Continue readingUsing evidence from last Ice Age, scientists predict effects of rising seas on coastal habitats

After studying more than 1,500 coastal ecosystems, researchers say they will drown if we let the world warm above 2˚C

Much of the world’s natural coastline is protected by living habitats, most notably mangroves in warmer waters and tidal marshes closer to the poles. These ecosystems support fisheries and…Continue readingAfter studying more than 1,500 coastal ecosystems, researchers say they will drown if we let the world warm above 2˚C

I have studied emperor penguins for 30 years. We may witness their demise in our lifetime

Being cautious by nature, scientists warned that in the next few decades the global emperor population will suffer significant losses. This fate appeared a long way in the future,…Continue readingI have studied emperor penguins for 30 years. We may witness their demise in our lifetime

Wallacea: A living laboratory of Earth’s evolution. Its wildlife, forests and reefs will be devastated if we don’t act

Wallacea is a fascinating region of both land and sea. Spanning approximately 338,000 square kilometers within Indonesia, it is home to a rich diversity of animals and plants, with…Continue readingWallacea: A living laboratory of Earth’s evolution. Its wildlife, forests and reefs will be devastated if we don’t act

Atlantic collapse: Q&A with scientists behind controversial study predicting a colder Europe

In late July, a study published in Nature Communications warned that a critical ocean system that brings warm water up the North Atlantic, also known as the Atlantic Meridional…Continue readingAtlantic collapse: Q&A with scientists behind controversial study predicting a colder Europe

‘Huge’ coral bleaching unfolding across the Americas prompts fears of global tragedy

Corals across several countries are bleaching and dying en masse from unprecedented levels of heat stress, prompting fears that an unfolding tragedy in Central America, North America and the…Continue reading‘Huge’ coral bleaching unfolding across the Americas prompts fears of global tragedy

Missing ice and bleached coral: the sudden warming of the oceans

Over the past few weeks, a large-scale rescue operation has been under way off the coast and keys of Florida. It began as water temperatures were rising towards a…Continue readingMissing ice and bleached coral: the sudden warming of the oceans

Recovery of Great Barrier Reef stalls as scientists point to bleaching, disease and starfish attacks

Hard coral cover in the northern section of the reef, from Cape York to Cooktown, was estimated at 35.7%, down from 36.5% in 2022. Between Cooktown and Proserpine, the…Continue readingRecovery of Great Barrier Reef stalls as scientists point to bleaching, disease and starfish attacks

Beach Energy prepares to begin offshore drilling at Otway Basin, Australia

Beach Energy has signed an agreement to use the semi-submersible drilling rig the Transocean Equinox to carry out the drilling campaign, which would commence in 2025, and the project…Continue readingBeach Energy prepares to begin offshore drilling at Otway Basin, Australia

Gloomy climate calculation: Scientists predict a collapse of the Atlantic ocean current to happen mid-century

Using advanced statistical tools and ocean temperature data from the last 150 years, the researchers calculated that the ocean current, known as the Thermohaline Circulation or the Atlantic Meridional…Continue readingGloomy climate calculation: Scientists predict a collapse of the Atlantic ocean current to happen mid-century

Mining the seabed for clean-tech minerals could destroy ecosystems. Will it get the green light?

A little-known organization is meeting this week in a conference center in Jamaica. The rules the International Seabed Authority (ISA) are drafting could have immense impact. That’s because this…Continue readingMining the seabed for clean-tech minerals could destroy ecosystems. Will it get the green light?

Journey to the deep: Plastic pollution in the Pacific Kuril-Kamchatka Deep-Sea Trench

A team of scientists has completed the most comprehensive study of (macro)plastic waste in the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, a 2,250-kilometer-long deep-sea trench in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean.…Continue readingJourney to the deep: Plastic pollution in the Pacific Kuril-Kamchatka Deep-Sea Trench

Deep-sea mining causes huge decreases in sealife across wide region, says study

According to analysis of seabed ecology undertaken after drilling tests in 2020 in Japan – the country’s first successful extraction of cobalt crusts from deep-sea mountains – there was…Continue readingDeep-sea mining causes huge decreases in sealife across wide region, says study

Scientists are freaking out about surging temperatures. Why aren’t politicians? 

The beginning of July marked the planet’s hottest week in recorded history. Last month was the warmest-ever June. The arrival of a strong El Niño is likely to push…Continue readingScientists are freaking out about surging temperatures. Why aren’t politicians? 

Corals are starting to bleach as global ocean temperatures hit record highs

The water off South Florida is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) in mid-July, and scientists are already seeing signs of coral bleaching off Central and South America. Particularly…Continue readingCorals are starting to bleach as global ocean temperatures hit record highs

Current marine heatwave (MHW) conditions

Approximately 40% [25%] of the global ocean is currently experiencing MHWs, which ranks 1st [14th] among all months since 1991. Values include the effects of long-term warming. Values with…Continue readingCurrent marine heatwave (MHW) conditions

Plastic pollution threatens birds far out at sea, according to new research

Seabirds are one of the world’s most threatened animal groups. They already contend with multiple issues, including climate change, accidental capture in fishing gear and being eaten by invasive…Continue readingPlastic pollution threatens birds far out at sea, according to new research

World’s oceans changing colour due to climate breakdown, study suggests

The sea is becoming greener due to changes in plankton populations, analysis of Nasa images finds. When comparing these changes in colour with those hypothesised from a computer model…Continue readingWorld’s oceans changing colour due to climate breakdown, study suggests

Wind farms currently degrading nature

Ecowende is going to build a wind farm that will be in harmony with nature, with minimal impact on birds, bats and marine mammals, and with a thriving underwater…Continue readingWind farms currently degrading nature

As Ocean Oxygen Levels Dip, Fish Face an Uncertain Future

Researchers complain that the oxygen problem doesn’t get the attention it deserves, with ocean acidification and warming grabbing the bulk of both news headlines and academic research. Just this…Continue readingAs Ocean Oxygen Levels Dip, Fish Face an Uncertain Future

Twilight zone at risk from climate change

Life in the ocean’s “twilight zone” could decline dramatically due to climate change, new research suggests. The twilight zone (200m to 1,000m deep) gets very little light but is…Continue readingTwilight zone at risk from climate change

The squeeze on powering the open road

The proposed US goal to double electricity transmission lines and build a separate electric vehicle charging network while also expanding solar and wind production to move to 100% renewable…Continue readingThe squeeze on powering the open road

Deep-sea mining for rare metals will destroy ecosystems, say scientists

Businesses want to trawl for nickel, manganese and cobalt to build electric cars and windfarms.Continue readingDeep-sea mining for rare metals will destroy ecosystems, say scientists

Rise in ocean plastic pollution ‘unprecedented’ since 2005

Continue readingRise in ocean plastic pollution ‘unprecedented’ since 2005