Environment

Wednesday, August 12th 2015 - 08:25 UTC
Sargassum bloom are ruining Caribbean beaches and tourism season

The picture-perfect beaches and turquoise waters that people expect on their visits to the Caribbean are increasingly being fouled by mats of decaying seaweed that attract biting sand fleas and smell like rotten eggs.
Tuesday, August 11th 2015 - 07:18 UTC
State of emergency in north of Chile because of torrential rain and floods

A state of emergency has been declared by the Chilean government in the northern cities of Antofagasta and Tocopilla due to the strong winds, heavy rains, flashfloods and mudslides. President Michelle Bachelet visited the north on Monday to observe first-hand the damage caused by a storm that left six people dead nationwide.
Monday, August 10th 2015 - 07:20 UTC
Pope Francis criticizes destruction of forests to plant soy bean

Pope Francis criticized the destruction of forests in order to plant soy in an interview with an Argentine radio station on Saturday, reinforcing his message that the environment should take precedence over financial gain.
Monday, August 10th 2015 - 06:05 UTC
Scotland to ban growing genetically modified crops

Scotland is to ban the growing of genetically modified crops, the country's rural affairs secretary has announced. Richard Lochhead said the Scottish government was not prepared to “gamble” with the future of the country's £14bn food and drink sector.
Monday, August 10th 2015 - 05:50 UTC
World Lion Day, Monday 10 August to celebrate the King of Beasts

World Lion Day is to be remembered on Monday, August 10, and to celebrate this first campaign to protect the imposing animal many websites are dedicating amazing photos of the King of Beasts, as it is sometimes called.
Friday, August 7th 2015 - 05:18 UTC
Scottish lab identifies “super-algae” to make bio-fuels for vehicles and aircraft

Researchers at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) have unlocked a treasure chest of ‘super-algae’ that could provide a previously untapped source of oil. Using a newly devised technique, scientists examined micro-algae strains in the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP), an internationally important algal store based at SAMS in Oban, to find out which ocean-based strains had the highest oil content.
Thursday, August 6th 2015 - 05:31 UTC
Researchers identify characteristics of fish most vulnerable to trawlers

Using laboratory-based experiments, researchers have identified the common characteristics of fish most vulnerable to being caught by trawlers. They found fish that were less able to produce fast burst-type swimming to evade capture were more likely to end up in trawlers' nets.
Wednesday, August 5th 2015 - 08:13 UTC
Galapagos penguin numbers recovering with shifts in trade winds and ocean currents

Shifts in trade winds and ocean currents powered a resurgence of endangered Galapagos Penguins over the past 30 years, according to a new study led by researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). These changes enlarged a cold pool of water the penguins rely on for food and breeding-an expansion that could continue as the climate changes over the coming decades, according to the study.
Wednesday, August 5th 2015 - 06:52 UTC
Lost humpback whale which ended in Buenos Aires lured back to sea

A lost whale which made a surprise visit to a marina in the Buenos Aires port area, periodically surfacing among the yachts while hundreds of onlookers tried to capture the moment with smartphones, finally on Tuesday was lured back to the open sea in a combined operation.
Tuesday, August 4th 2015 - 13:16 UTC
Humpback whale surfaces in Buenos Aires alongside luxury yachts

A whale appeared in the marina of one of Buenos Aires' most exclusive up market neighborhoods on Monday, periodically surfacing alongside luxury yachts while hundreds of onlookers tried to capture the moment with smart phones.