MercoPress https://en.mercopress.com/ South Atlantic News Agency en Copyright 2026, MercoPress. https://en.mercopress.com/web/img/en/mercopress-logo.gif MercoPress http://en.mercopress.com/ <![CDATA[Argentina approves glacier law reform, opens previously protected areas to mining]]> The new law amends Law 26,639, in force since 2010, and introduces a fundamental shift: only glaciers that serve a “proven hydrological function” will retain full protection Argentina's Chamber of Deputies passed a reform of the National Glacier Law in the early hours of Thursday, an initiative pushed by President Javier Milei's government that reduces the scope of environmental protections in the Andean cordillera and opens previously restricted areas to mining. The vote was 137 in favor, 111 against and 3 abstentions, after more than eleven hours of debate in a special session. The bill had already been approved by the Senate.

]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:57:00 GMT <![CDATA[Falklands launches consultation on proposed National Nature Reserves]]> The proposed reserves are located on land owned by the Falklands Islands Government (FIG), Falklands Conservation, or other private landowners. The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has launched a public consultation to seek views on its proposal to designate or expand National Nature Reserves. The proposal seeks to designate 10 new National Nature Reserves and expand 5 existing National Nature Reserves.

]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:31:00 GMT <![CDATA[Replacement of Ice Patrol HMS Protector in the Works?]]> HMS Protector a regular scientific explorer in Antarctica waters during the austral months. She is also a regular visitor and strongly linked to the Falklands Islands. Portsmouth News has reported that UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) has confirmed that capabilities for a future ice patrol ship are currently in the works. Minister for Defense readiness and industry, Luke Pollard, confirmed the development when responding to a parliamentary written question from Reform (former Tory) MP Andrew Rosindell.

]]> Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:23:00 GMT <![CDATA[Antarctica, eco-sail expedition vessels will have a hybrid sail propulsion system]]> The eco-sail vessels to be delivered in 2029 and 2030 are an iteration of Oceanwide Expeditions’ existing Hondius-class design. Oceanwide Expeditions which specializes in Arctic and Antarctic cruises will construct two 146-passenger eco-sail expedition vessels, constructed with a hybrid sail propulsion system, reducing fuel consumption and lowering operational emissions.

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:44:00 GMT <![CDATA[EU eases path for truck and bus makers to meet 2030 CO2 targets]]> A heavy-duty truck on a European motorway. Brussels adopted temporary measures to ease manufacturers' path toward 2030 CO2 targets. The European Union on Monday formally adopted temporary flexibility measures to help truck and bus manufacturers meet their 2030 CO2 emission reduction targets, without altering long-term goals.

]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:18:00 GMT <![CDATA[Falklands, Freshwater Project for the Islands community, farming and MPC]]> Collecting data from a stream on Fitzroy Farm A Freshwater Project for the Falkland Islands funded by UK’s Darwin Plus program plus Falklands’ Government and led by SAERI, South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute in partnership with UK’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has been working intensely in the terrestrial ecosystems of the archipelago, given its sensitivity in land use and climate change.

]]> Sat, 28 Mar 2026 21:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[FAO marked Days of Forests and World Water, and their intricate connection]]> Director General Qu Dongyu said “forests need water, water needs forests, and we depend on both” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) marked International Day of Forests 2026 and World Water Day 2026 last week with a series of highlevel and technical events at its headquarters in Rome.

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:58:00 GMT <![CDATA[Falklands, Darwin Plus funds to restore ecosystem of ravaged New Island by invasive mammals]]> New Island is home to millions of seabirds, including the world’s largest colony of Slender-billed Prions, a species of petrel found in the Southern Oceans. Falklands Conservation recently secured a £3m fund to help restore the natural ecosystem on New Island. The funding came through the Darwin Plus scheme, run by the UK Government to support biodiversity in British Overseas Territories. The ambitious restoration project on New Island, one of the region’s wildest western outposts is to remove invasive predators that have put the island’s native species at risk.

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:24:00 GMT <![CDATA[Patagonian pumas add penguins to their diet in unprecedented predator-seabird interaction]]> The dietary shift reflects a broader ecosystem transformation. Until the late twentieth century, the area was dominated by sheep ranching A group of pumas in Monte León National Park, in Argentina's Santa Cruz province, has incorporated penguins as a regular part of its diet — an unprecedented phenomenon being studied by a National Geographic-funded scientific team, according to a report published by Argentine newspaper La Nación.

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:27:00 GMT <![CDATA[International project validates renewable hydrogen energy systems in Antarctica]]> INACH Director Gino Casassa said the green hydrogen pilot plant design is backed by approximately 200 million Chilean pesos in funding from GIZ and the European Union A delegation of Chilean and European authorities and institutions completed a technical visit to the "Profesor Julio Escudero" research station operated by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) on King George Island, where progress was presented on a pilot renewable hydrogen and energy infrastructure project designed to validate hybrid energy systems in one of the planet's most demanding environments.

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:48:00 GMT