Latest news with #RodTaylor
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Stalwart Roche ends 17-year stay at Morecambe
Former club captain Barry Roche has left Morecambe after 17 years at the Shrimps that spanned both playing and coaching ex-goalkeeper, who first joined Morecambe in 2008 and went on to make more than 400 appearances, was instrumental in helping the club preserve their League Two status on a number of occasions until hanging up his boots in famously scored a 96th-minute equaliser against Portsmouth in February 2016 and enjoyed a brief spell as caretaker manager, winning his only match in charge in November has acted as goalkeeping coach for the past five years for the now National League outfit who were relegated in May after finishing bottom of League said Roche has left to "pursue new opportunities" but did not elaborate further."Barry has demonstrated unwavering dedication, professionalism, and passion throughout his time with us," co-chairman Rod Taylor told the club website., external"His leadership and commitment have been instrumental both as a player and as a coach, and his presence will be greatly missed. We wish him the very best and will always welcome him back as a friend and a true club legend."
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Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
Global forest loss hits record highs fueled by extreme heat, wildfires
Global loss of tropical and boreal forests surged to a record high last year as unprecedented temperatures fueled fires, releasing more than four times the emissions of all air travel in 2023. That's according to the latest annual assessment by Global Forest Watch, a platform run by the nonprofit World Resources Institute, which drew on data from the University of Maryland. 'It's a global red alert,' Elizabeth Goldman, co-director of Global Forest Watch, said in a statement. 'This level of forest loss is unlike anything we've seen in over 20 years.' Tropical primary forests, defined as those that have experienced little to no human disturbance, store billions of tons of carbon. They also help regulate weather, recycle water and offer a home to millions of species of plants and animals. At the 2021 United Nations climate conference, COP26, more than 140 nations pledged to halt the loss of all types of forest by the end of the decade. However, the latest data shows that many of the countries that signed the deforestation pledge are falling woefully short on their commitment. The loss of tropical primary forests reached 6.7 million hectares last year. That's almost double the loss in 2023 and roughly equivalent to 18 soccer fields disappearing every minute. Fifteen of the 20 countries with the largest area of primary forests that signed the 2021 forest pledge are now losing trees faster than they were at that time, according to the World Resources Institute. All of this is occurring after the hottest year on record, with Earth's warming exceeding 1.5C over pre-industrial levels on an annual basis for the first time. The United Nations has warned that temperatures will continue to rise unless drastic action is taken to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Globally, fires emitted 4.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions last year, adding to planetary heating. Outside of the tropics, fires in Canada and Russia also contributed to the loss of tree cover last year equal to the size of Italy, WRI reported. Tree-cover loss refers to the removal of tree canopy, which is the branches and leaves at the top of a tree. 'We are in a new phase where it's not just clearing for agriculture that's the main driver,' said Rod Taylor, director of forests and nature conservation at WRI. 'Now we have this new amplifying effect, which is the real climate change feedback loop where fires are just much more intense and much more ferocious than they've ever been.' Brazil, host of this year's COP30 climate summit, accounted for 42% of all tropical primary-forest loss last year, according to WRI. That's more than any other nation. WRI cited fires, fueled by the worst drought on record, as well as industrial soy and cattle farming, as the main causes of destruction in the country. Cutting deforestation and raising funds to do so are among the top priorities for COP30, which is scheduled for November in the Amazonian city of Belém. Brazil aims to launch a $125 billion fund at the summit that would provide financing to nations to protect their forests. Bolivia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo are other countries experiencing dramatic forest loss, according to WRI. By contrast, Indonesia and Malaysia reduced their rates of forest loss, mainly because of land-restoration programs and fire-control efforts. Globally, fires overtook agriculture as the leading cause of forest loss, accounting for almost half of the damage, up from an average of about 20% in previous years, according to WRI. Other contributors include illegal mining and coca production in Colombia, and conflict and poverty in DRC.
Scoop
27-04-2025
- Scoop
New Bus Stops Make Life Easier For Commuters
Bus users are enjoying easier access to southern parts of the city centre after the opening of six new bus stops bays this morning. The new stops, on southern Durham Street, offer shorter walking distances to key areas such as Elizabeth Street and the lower avenues. They are replacing temporary bus stops one block to the north, also on Durham Street. These will be removed by the end of next month. Tauranga City Council's city centre infrastructure lead, Shawn Geard, says the new bus stops are part of a strategy to reduce walking times for people wanting to use public transport. 'We want to give people more choice when travelling to and from our city centre,' he says. 'Research shows that people are more likely to choose buses if they are within easy walking distance of their destination. 'These new stops are close to a wide range of retail and hospitality businesses in the southern city centre, as well as the University of Waikato.' Te Papa Ward councillor Rod Taylor says a lot of hard work went into creating the new bus stops for commuters and visitors to our city centre. "Making it easier to people to come into town helps to spur growth and make our city centre more appealing, he says. The new bus stops are notable for their low-impact shelters, which are specially designed for the narrow street. They provide weather protection alongside easy access to shops and businesses. The new stops join other eight other bus stops spread across the city centre – on Harington Street, Hamilton Street, Dive Crescent and near Baycourt. Collectively, they provide public transport within a few minutes' walk of most parts of the city centre. Later this year, Tauranga City Council will move the Intercity bus stop from its current Dive Crescent location to Elizabeth Street so it's closer to the new bus stops and people can transfer between services more easily. Bay of Plenty Regional Council runs the city's bus network, while Tauranga City Council owns infrastructure such as bus stops, bus shelters, bench seats and bus lanes. The two councils work together to coordinate this system. The new bus stops join many other initiatives aimed at making Tauranga city centre a great place to live, learn, work and play. You can find out more about: the new bus stops at Baybus route changes at the Tauranga city centre transformation in the City Centre Action and Investment Plan 2022-32.
