Nanoplastic pollution found at both of Earth’s poles for first time
Tiny particles including tyre dust found in ice cores stretching back 50 years, showing global plastic contamination Nanoplastic pollution has been detected in polar regions for the first time, indicating that the tiny particles are now pervasive around the world. The nanoparticles are smaller and more toxic than microplastics, which have already been found across […]
Chemical pollution has passed safe limit for humanity, say scientists
Study calls for cap on production and release as pollution threatens global ecosystems upon which life depends The cocktail of chemical pollution that pervades the planet now threatens the stability of global ecosystems upon which humanity depends, scientists have said. Plastics are of particularly high concern, they said, along with 350,000 synthetic chemicals including pesticides, […]
Costa Rica Adds Nearly 53,000 sq km of Protected Waters to the Cocos Island National Park
On Friday, December 17th, 2021, Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of Costa Rica, and Andrea Meza, Minister of Environment and Energy, signed a decree expanding the Cocos Island National Park, which lies at the heart of the Cocos Island Hope Spot. This move adds approximately 53,000 sq km (21,235 sq miles) of fully protected waters to […]
Offshore Wind to Require Ocean Space the Size of Italy by 2050
By mid-century, offshore wind will require ocean space which is equivalent to the landmass of Italy, and the industry will by then account for half of all the capex in the Blue Economy, according to DNV’s Ocean’s Future to 2050 report.”The exponential…
Newfound Ocean Hotspot Draws Millions of Migrating Birds Each Year
Scientists hope to protect these critical international waters — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
State of High Tide Flooding
High-tide flooding, often referred to as “nuisance” or “sunny day” flooding, is increasingly common due to years of relative sea level increases. It occurs when tides reach anywhere from 1.75 to 2 feet above the daily average high tide and start spilling onto streets or bubbling up from storm drains. As sea level rise continues, […]
PPE Under the Sea
At the height of the pandemic, people were using nearly 130 billion disposable face masks globally each month—and many of them were not disposed of properly. Oceans already take on 8 million tons of our plastic a year. Here, a California sea lion prowling the kelp forests of Monterey Bay comes face-to-face with a new […]
14% of world’s coral lost in less than a decade, study shows
Largest analysis of reef health reveals equivalent of more than all living coral in Australia was lost in 2009-18 About 14% of the world’s coral has been lost in less than a decade, a study of the health of coral reefs has found. In the largest analysis of coral reef health ever undertaken, scientists found […]
How mercury gets into the sea
Mercury released into the atmosphere by industry enters the sea and from there makes its way into the food chain. Now, an analysis by the University of Basel has revealed how the harmful substance enters seawater in the first place. This is not primarily via rainfall, as previously assumed, but rather also involves gas exchange. […]
Single use plastic free accreditation launched for marine businesses
A new accreditation scheme has been launched to help sailors identify clubs, training centres and marine businesses which are cutting their use of single use plastic The new accreditation scheme was launched by The Green Blue and the Final Straw Foundation at the Southampton Boat Show Sailors will now be able to identify businesses, clubs […]
