International Ministerial Conference to combat marine litter and plastic pollution asks for a binding global treaty

The conference was held in Geneva from the 1st to 2nd of September, both on site and virtually. More than 1000 representatives from 140 countries and numerous non-governmental organisations took part. More and more countries are campaigning for a globally binding agreement to fight marine litter and plastic waste in the environment. Representatives from the… Continue reading International Ministerial Conference to combat marine litter and plastic pollution asks for a binding global treaty

The plan to map every coral reef on Earth – from space

Most coral reefs are still unmapped. Scientists are aiming to monitor, in real-time, these biodiverse underwater worlds to protect and restore them. Further, they want to identify patches of coral that are naturally more resistant to climate change. In October 2020, Australian scientists found a detached coral reef skyscraper on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef—nearly 500… Continue reading The plan to map every coral reef on Earth – from space

Over 200,000 tonnes of plastic leaking into the Mediterranean each year

A new IUCN report finds that an estimated 229,000 tonnes of plastic is leaking into the Mediterranean Sea every year, equivalent to over 500 shipping containers each day. Unless significant measures are taken to address mismanaged waste, the main source of the leakage, this will at least double by 2040.  Based on a compilation of data… Continue reading Over 200,000 tonnes of plastic leaking into the Mediterranean each year

Mauritius grapples with worst environmental crisis in a generation

Malavika Vyawahare Thousands of species around the pristine lagoons are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution, with dire consequences for Mauritius’ economy, food security, and health A ship that ran aground on a coral reef has leaked about 900 tons of fuel oil into the waters off the southeastern coast of Mauritius.… Continue reading Mauritius grapples with worst environmental crisis in a generation

‘Quietly Putting Hundreds of Species at Risk,’ Trump Opens 5,000 Square Miles of Atlantic Ocean to Commercial Fishing

Jake Johnson Ancient and slow-growing deep sea corals, endangered large whales and sea turtles, and an incredible array of fish, seabirds, sharks, dolphins and other wildlife—these are the species and habitats that will pay the price. In a move that environmentalists warned could further imperil hundreds of endangered species and a protected habitat for the… Continue reading ‘Quietly Putting Hundreds of Species at Risk,’ Trump Opens 5,000 Square Miles of Atlantic Ocean to Commercial Fishing

Watch: Australian Flora & Fauna changing due to climate change

The Climate Zine A short documentary detailing the changes that are occurring to the living flora and fauna of Australia’s parks and marine reserves due to climate change and actions that can be taken to stop the crisis. This documentary is a Wind & Sky Production commissioned by Creative Victoria for the Culture Victoria portal.

Lost Fishing Gear a major ocean pollutant

A turtle is caught in a fishnet trap. The Rainbow Warrior is in the Mediterranean for a three month expedition "Defending Our Mediterranean". Greenpeace is calling for the creation of marine reserves in the Mediterranean Sea, as part of a global network covering 40% of our seas and oceans.

An estimated 640,000 tonnes of abandoned or lost fishing equipment, or ‘ghost gear’, enter the ocean every year, equivalent in weight to more than 50 thousand double-decker buses. In total, they make up around 10% of the plastic waste in our oceans, entangling and killing marine life, warns a new Greenpeace Germany report, Ghost gear:… Continue reading Lost Fishing Gear a major ocean pollutant

Asian Cities pollute our Seas the most, must act together to curb it!

Eight of the ten rivers, that carry almost 95 percent of all the plastic debris into the Seas, are from Asia.  Ganges and Indus are among them. A recent scientific study has this shocking revelation to make.   Researchers from the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ of Germany have found out that the mismanaged plastic… Continue reading Asian Cities pollute our Seas the most, must act together to curb it!