So grand, So Gentle: Wind Technology in Tune With the Natural World
The offshore wind turbines in the Thanet field, look like monuments to optimism, common sense and human daring…
Floods in Northwestern Tunisia
A combination of melting snow, overflowing rivers, and heavy rains flooded parts of coastal northwestern Tunisia.
1-5 Percent of Tsunami Debris Could Reach N. America
Ocean current expert plans to discuss Tuesday at a news conference, latest estimates for where the 3 to 4 million tons of debris dragged into the ocean by last year tsunami in Japan, is and when it may wash ashore. 20 million to 25 million tons of debris was generated altogether, including what was left on land.
BP oil spill trial delayed for settlement talks
Judge Carl Barbier issued an order on Sunday afternoon putting off the start date until 5 March, citing reasons of judicial efficiency…
France Taken to Court for Failing to Combat Water Pollution by Nitrates
The EU Nitrates Directive aims to protect water quality across Europe by preventing nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters and by promoting the use of good farming practices. Although the Nitrates Directive has been in force since 1991, France has still not designated a number of zones that are vulnerable to nitrates pollution.
Australian Government’s Great Barrier Reef Plans’ Questioned
A monitoring mission from the UN educational and cultural arm, UNESCO, will visit Queensland next month to examine concerns about major port developments and other potential threats to the World Heritage listed reef, as WWF challenged the Australian Government’s view that the Great Barrier Reef is being sustainably managed, citing publications showing that coral had declined by up to 50 per cent.
Deepwater Horizon victims ready for epic court battle with BP
Nearly two years after the oil rig explosion that killed 11 people and spilled millions of barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, the myriad plaintiffs suing BP and other companies over the disaster are about to get their day in court. The civil trial, which opens in a federal court in New Orleans on Monday, is expected to be epic by any definition, unmatched in scale or legal complexity.
World Bank Urges Global Action to Save Oceans
The World Bank on Friday said the world’s oceans were at risk and called for a coalition of governments, NGOs and other groups to protect them, aiming to raise $1.5 billion in five years.
First French Seaside Resort to Have Smoke-Free Beach
Nice has become the first French seaside resort to introduce a tobacco-free beach. The Centenaire beach, a central beach off the Promenade des Anglais, which already acts as the city’s wheel-chair friendly beach, is to be labeled “plage sans tabac.”