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The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) has identified 13 priority seabird species and designated high risk areas for their protection but stopped short of adopting new mandatory measures to reduce seabird deaths caused by commercial fishing. At its annual meeting held in Brussels from October 5 to 8, 2026, the eight member commission discussed proposals to strengthen protections for seabirds, particularly albatrosses and petrels that are accidentally caught by longline fishing vessels targeting southern bluefin tuna. Although members agreed on the priority species and risk areas, disagreements among participating nations prevented the adoption of additional conservation requirements. Oliver Yates, head of the marine programme at BirdLife International, w...

BENGALURU: An abandoned stone quarry at Hennur Bande in HBR Layout is set to be transformed into a heat resilient public park as Bengaluru steps up efforts to address rising temperatures and the urban heat island effect. The Bengaluru North City Corporation (BNCC) plans to redevelop a 10 acre under utilised site surrounded by a 20 acre buffer zone, into a climate responsive recreational space at an estimated cost of ₹5.5 crore. The corporation has invited tenders for the project. According to a BNCC official Hennur Bande has been identified as an urban heat hotspot because the stone quarry absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night contributing to higher temperatures in the surrounding area. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) while launching the city’s heat health pro...

  Scientists are developing a new approach to predicting extreme wildfires by studying how rising fire plumes interact with the atmosphere, offering firefighters potentially vital information to anticipate sudden changes in fire behaviour. Research by wildfire expert Marc Castellnou at Wageningen University & Research, in collaboration with the GRAF/Bombers Catalonia team, focuses on measuring atmospheric conditions inside and around wildfire plumes. The findings come amid growing concern following one of Europe’s most devastating wildfire summers. Castellnou launches weather balloons directly into towering fire plumes to measure temperature, wind speed and humidity. By combining these observations with meteorological data and computer models, researchers aim to improve p...

  Kenya has introduced a new disaster risk financing strategy that integrates funding for disaster prevention preparedness, emergency response and recovery, marking a shift from the traditional approach of focusing mainly on financial support after disasters occur. Finalised in June 2026 the strategy aims to help the government manage the financial consequences of disasters while investing in measures to reduce risks before they cause damage. The approach comes as disaster losses rise and international aid budgets face growing pressure. The strategy was developed by the Kenyan government in collaboration with the Centre for Disaster Protection and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). It is designed to align disaster related financial planning with th...

Canada’s drinking water can remain vulnerable to contamination for months or even years after wildfires have been extinguished, according to a global review led by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC). The study found that water quality problems can intensify long after a fire, particularly when heavy rainfall or snowmelt washes accumulated ash and debris into rivers. Researchers examined 23 studies covering 28 watersheds worldwide, comparing water quality before and after wildfires. They assessed changes in sediment, nutrients, metals, organic carbon, ions and chemicals used to fight fires. The findings showed that contamination does not always peak immediately after a wildfire and can worsen over time. The research is particularly relevant to Canada, where wildfi...

Visakhapatnam: Dust pollution overflowing drains and persistent garbage accumulation continue to affect residents of Visakhapatnam’s South Zone, particularly One Town despite repeated complaints and assurances from civic authorities. Residents across areas such as the Old Post Office locality AVN College Road Chengalraopeta and Burujupeta say that the lack of lasting solutions to recurring civic problems has affected their quality of life and raised concerns about public health. Dust Pollution Raises Health Concerns Dust pollution remains one of the biggest concerns in One Town. The issue gained renewed attention a few months ago when a conveyor belt reportedly released brown, sand-like dust near the Old Post Office area. Following complaints the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control B...

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are playing a crucial role in protecting biodiversity worldwide, but structural barriers continue to limit their contribution, according to a new report released during the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan, Armenia. The report, Local Biodiversity Outlooks 3, presents 56 case studies documenting how Indigenous Peoples and local communities are helping implement the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Released on the second day of COP17 the publication contributes to global assessments of progress towards biodiversity targets. The report highlights how customary practices and sustainable use of natural resources support healthy ecosystems and communities. Howe...

Scientists have identified a plastic-degrading enzyme nicknamed the “Pac-Man enzyme” that could offer new insights into how bacteria break down certain bioplastics, raising hopes for improved strategies to manage persistent plastic waste. Researchers at the University of Konstanz in Germany found that bacteria in forest soil could degrade nearly all the tested bioplastics within approximately 250 to 330 days under the experimental conditions. The findings highlight the potential role of naturally occurring microorganisms and their enzymes in breaking down plastic materials. The research published in the journal The ISME Journal examined how bacteria interact with long chain aliphatic polyesters (LCAPs), a group of polymer materials that includes certain bioplastics. How the ‘Pac-M...

LOUISIANA: Recycled glass could offer an innovative solution to coastal erosion while helping reduce the environmental damage caused by sand mining according to a recent study examining its effects on native marine life in Louisiana, United States. The study, published in the journal Restoration Ecology found no significant differences in survival rates among five native estuarine species exposed to recycled glass sand and those exposed to conventional sediments or no sediment. The findings suggest that recycled glass sand could be a potential material for coastal restoration, although further research is needed to establish its long term ecological safety. Coastal Erosion Threatens Louisiana Louisiana is facing a severe coastal erosion crisis, with the state reportedly losing an ...

Two of the largest reservoirs on the Colorado River in the United States have experienced strikingly similar long term declines, highlighting mounting pressure on water supplies across the American Southwest. According to the US Bureau of Reclamation’s hydrologic update for October 18, Lake Mead stood at 1,037.24 feet, while Lake Powell measured 3,520.55 feet. Compared with their respective full pool elevations, the reservoirs had fallen by 191.8 feet and 179.5 feet. However, measured against their record highs in July 1983, Lake Mead had dropped 188.6 feet and Lake Powell 187.8 feet a difference of less than one foot. The comparison highlights the long-term challenges facing the Colorado River system, which supplies water to millions of people, supports agriculture and sustains c...