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Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
At UN conference, countries inch toward ocean protection goal
More than 170 nations adopted a political declaration at the end of the gathering calling for urgent action. PHOTO: REUTERS NICE, France – Remote coral atolls in the Caribbean. Habitat for threatened sharks and rays around a Tanzanian island in the Indian Ocean. And 900,000 square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean around French Polynesia. These are some of the stretches of water now set aside as part of an international goal to protect 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030. More than 20 new marine protected areas were announced at the third United Nations Ocean Conference, which ended on June 13 in France. Countries and territories pledging new areas included Chile, Colombia, French Polynesia, Portugal, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, the Solomon Islands, Tanzania, and Vanuatu. 'Protecting the ocean is beginning to become fashionable,' said Sylvia Earle, a marine biologist and oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the 1990s, at an event celebrating a network of protected areas around the Azores. The new designations come at a time when the United States, which sent only two observers to the conference, has moved to reopen the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing. The country is also seeking to unilaterally authorise mining of the seafloor in international waters. More than 60 world leaders attended the June 9-13 conference, with the UN saying the world faced an emergency over the health of the oceans. More than 170 nations adopted a political declaration at the end of the gathering calling for urgent action. 'The ocean is fundamental to life on our planet and to our future, and we remain deeply alarmed by the global emergency it faces. The ocean and its ecosystems are adversely affected by climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,' the declaration says. France, which hosted the conference with Costa Rica, pushed for a moratorium on deep sea mining, with four new countries pledging their support this past week, bringing the total to 37 countries. Less than 3 per cent of the ocean is currently fully protected from 'extractive' activities such as commercial fishing and mining, according to the Marine Protection Atlas. Peter Thomson, the United Nations secretary-general's special envoy for the ocean, acknowledged at the Azores event that reaching 30 per cent by the 2030 deadline may not happen. But, he said, 'it's not a mythical thing that will never happen'. In order to reach the goal, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, needs to be enforced with at least 60 countries ratifying it. At the conference, 19 new countries ratified the treaty, bringing the total to 50 individual countries plus the European Union. Once active, the treaty would provide a pathway toward protecting stretches of the ocean beyond individual countries' borders. And in coastal waters within those borders, much remains to be done. A study published in May 2025 found that the average marine protected area today is about 10 square kilometres, meaning about 188,000 more areas of that size are needed – or 85 new marine protected areas a day. These numbers are 'super daunting,' said the report's lead author Kristin Rechberger, CEO of the conservation organisation Dynamic Planet. She wants countries to break through the challenge by decentralising marine protection and allowing coastal communities to create their own small protected areas at a faster pace. A separate report published last week found that countries need to raise US$15.8 billion (S$20.2 billion) a year in order to protect 30 per cent of the ocean. Currently, about US$1.2 billion a year goes toward ocean protection globally. Questions also remain about how meaningful existing protections are. Activists have been pushing the French government to announce a ban on bottom trawling in its marine protected areas. President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would place 4 per cent of its mainland waters under 'strong protection,' limiting bottom trawling, a fishing process that drags nets along the seafloor. This falls short of an existing European Union goal of placing 10 per cent of its waters under 'strict protection,' without commercial fishing of any kind. 'Allowing destructive bottom trawling in most of France's so-called 'protected' areas makes a mockery of ocean protection,' said Alexandra Cousteau, senior adviser to Oceana and granddaughter of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, in a written statement. 'It's like building a fence around a forest and then bulldozing it anyway.' Even where protections from commercial fishing exist around the world, enforcement is often lacking. The United States did not send an official delegation to the conference. Two representatives from the administration's Environmental Advisory Task Force, including Ed Russo, the chair, attended as what the State Department called 'government observers.' John Kerry, the former special presidential envoy for climate under President Joe Biden, said he didn't know what role the United States would play in ocean protection now. 'We have an amazing conglomeration of countries that have come together to improve the marine protected areas,' Mr Kerry said. The announcements this week, however, are 'just building blocks,' he said. 'We are not moving fast enough or at scale.' NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
WATCH: NASA astronaut's view of northern lights from space
One of the most mesmerising sights in the night sky, the aurora borealis, or more commonly known as northern lights, continues to captivate people across the world. Often elusive, the shimmering green and purple lights are a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. Thanks to a NASA astronaut Anne McClain, currently aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, we're getting a rare and breathtaking view of the aurora — not from Earth, but from space. This stunning footage of the northern lights was followed by a major geomagnetic storm triggered by a solar flare emitted from the Sun last Friday. While the flare prompted alerts from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it caused minimal disruption on Earth. McClain shared the video on X, writing: 'I love how this one illuminated our Dragon, and I also love the dance of satellites on the left in the latter part of the video. It's interesting how the aurora creeps along the top of the atmosphere as it comes up over the horizon. I have added traveling to see auroras from Earth to my bucket list.' Auroras from space always draw crewmembers to the Cupola. I love how this one illuminated our Dragon, and I also love the dance of satellites on the left in the latter part of the video. It's interesting how the aurora creeps along the top of the atmosphere as it comes up over… — COL Anne McClain (@AstroAnnimal) June 2, 2025 McClain's video on X has gone viral, garnering more than 360,000 views and hundreds of likes. Auroras, commonly seen in the Northern Hemisphere, are natural light displays that occur when charged solar particles collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere. The result is a shimmering curtain of green, red, or violet light, often seen in high-latitude regions like Alaska, Norway, or northern Scotland. NOAA forecasts suggest auroras will likely remain active over the next few nights due to 'minor' geomagnetic storms, with the best chances of visibility over parts of North America and northern Scotland.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Northern lights set to shine over Canada tonight; Millions could witness rare solar storm display
A powerful solar storm is set to light up the skies over Canada on Monday night(June 2), offering a rare opportunity for millions to witness the mesmerizing aurora borealis . Cities where you can watch the northern lights tonight The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) has forecasted that the northern lights will be visible directly overhead across nearly all of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon , and the Northwest Territories, including cities like Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Yellowknife, and Whitehorse. Large parts of Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada may also catch a glimpse of the lights overhead or on the northern horizon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Undo Timings and conditions The celestial display is expected to peak overnight between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. EDT. However, viewing conditions will depend on clear and dark skies, away from city lights. In areas near the southern edge of the aurora's visibility, such as parts of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and southwestern Ontario, an unobstructed view of the northern horizon will be essential. This heightened aurora activity is due to a coronal mass ejection (CME) that occurred on May 31, originating from the highly active sunspot region AR4100. Live Events The CME reached Earth on June 1, leading to a G4-class geomagnetic storm, one of the more severe classifications. Such storms can cause disruptions in satellite operations, communication systems, and power grids, but they also produce spectacular auroras, with the northern lights potentially visible at lower latitudes than usual. While the northern lights are typically confined to regions like Alaska and Northern Canada, stronger solar activity in recent years has extended visibility farther south. In 2024, the lights were visible as far south as Texas, a rare occurrence. Although the current forecast does not confirm if Texas is included this year, past events raise the possibility that the state could again witness the aurora. Places away from city lights are ideal For those hoping to catch a glimpse of this natural wonder, it's advisable to find a location away from city lights with a clear view of the northern horizon. Even in areas where the lights could be visible directly overhead, avoiding light pollution and having clear conditions will provide the best viewing experience. The northern lights will also be visible on Tuesday night(June 3), but with a more limited range. As always, the best viewing conditions depend on clear, dark skies and minimal light pollution.
The Advertiser
02-06-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Sahara dust cloud smothers Caribbean, approaches US
A massive cloud of dust from the Sahara desert has blanketed most of the Caribbean in the biggest event of its kind this year as it heads toward the United States. The cloud extended about 3200km from Jamaica to well past Barbados in the eastern Caribbean, and 1200km from the Turks and Caicos Islands in the northern Caribbean down south to Trinidad and Tobago. "It's very impressive," said Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert with AccuWeather. The hazy skies unleashed sneezes, coughs and watery eyes across the Caribbean, with local forecasters warning that those with allergies, asthma and other conditions should remain indoors or wear face masks if outdoors. The dust concentration was high, at .55 aerosol optical depth, the highest amount so far this year, said Yidiana Zayas, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aerosol optical depth measures how much direct sunlight is prevented from reaching the ground by particles, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The plume is expected to hit Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi late this week and into the weekend, DaSilva said. However, plumes usually lose most of their concentration in the eastern Caribbean, he noted. "Those islands tend to see more of an impact, more of a concentration where it can actually block out the sun a little bit at times," he said. The dry and dusty air known as the Saharan Air Layer forms over the Sahara desert in Africa and moves west across the Atlantic Ocean starting around April until about October, according to NOAA. It also prevents tropical waves from forming during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30. In June 2020, a record-breaking cloud of Sahara dust smothered the Caribbean. The size and concentration of the plume had not been seen in half a century, prompting forecasters to nickname it the "Godzilla dust cloud". A massive cloud of dust from the Sahara desert has blanketed most of the Caribbean in the biggest event of its kind this year as it heads toward the United States. The cloud extended about 3200km from Jamaica to well past Barbados in the eastern Caribbean, and 1200km from the Turks and Caicos Islands in the northern Caribbean down south to Trinidad and Tobago. "It's very impressive," said Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert with AccuWeather. The hazy skies unleashed sneezes, coughs and watery eyes across the Caribbean, with local forecasters warning that those with allergies, asthma and other conditions should remain indoors or wear face masks if outdoors. The dust concentration was high, at .55 aerosol optical depth, the highest amount so far this year, said Yidiana Zayas, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aerosol optical depth measures how much direct sunlight is prevented from reaching the ground by particles, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The plume is expected to hit Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi late this week and into the weekend, DaSilva said. However, plumes usually lose most of their concentration in the eastern Caribbean, he noted. "Those islands tend to see more of an impact, more of a concentration where it can actually block out the sun a little bit at times," he said. The dry and dusty air known as the Saharan Air Layer forms over the Sahara desert in Africa and moves west across the Atlantic Ocean starting around April until about October, according to NOAA. It also prevents tropical waves from forming during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30. In June 2020, a record-breaking cloud of Sahara dust smothered the Caribbean. The size and concentration of the plume had not been seen in half a century, prompting forecasters to nickname it the "Godzilla dust cloud". A massive cloud of dust from the Sahara desert has blanketed most of the Caribbean in the biggest event of its kind this year as it heads toward the United States. The cloud extended about 3200km from Jamaica to well past Barbados in the eastern Caribbean, and 1200km from the Turks and Caicos Islands in the northern Caribbean down south to Trinidad and Tobago. "It's very impressive," said Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert with AccuWeather. The hazy skies unleashed sneezes, coughs and watery eyes across the Caribbean, with local forecasters warning that those with allergies, asthma and other conditions should remain indoors or wear face masks if outdoors. The dust concentration was high, at .55 aerosol optical depth, the highest amount so far this year, said Yidiana Zayas, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aerosol optical depth measures how much direct sunlight is prevented from reaching the ground by particles, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The plume is expected to hit Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi late this week and into the weekend, DaSilva said. However, plumes usually lose most of their concentration in the eastern Caribbean, he noted. "Those islands tend to see more of an impact, more of a concentration where it can actually block out the sun a little bit at times," he said. The dry and dusty air known as the Saharan Air Layer forms over the Sahara desert in Africa and moves west across the Atlantic Ocean starting around April until about October, according to NOAA. It also prevents tropical waves from forming during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30. In June 2020, a record-breaking cloud of Sahara dust smothered the Caribbean. The size and concentration of the plume had not been seen in half a century, prompting forecasters to nickname it the "Godzilla dust cloud". A massive cloud of dust from the Sahara desert has blanketed most of the Caribbean in the biggest event of its kind this year as it heads toward the United States. The cloud extended about 3200km from Jamaica to well past Barbados in the eastern Caribbean, and 1200km from the Turks and Caicos Islands in the northern Caribbean down south to Trinidad and Tobago. "It's very impressive," said Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert with AccuWeather. The hazy skies unleashed sneezes, coughs and watery eyes across the Caribbean, with local forecasters warning that those with allergies, asthma and other conditions should remain indoors or wear face masks if outdoors. The dust concentration was high, at .55 aerosol optical depth, the highest amount so far this year, said Yidiana Zayas, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aerosol optical depth measures how much direct sunlight is prevented from reaching the ground by particles, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The plume is expected to hit Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi late this week and into the weekend, DaSilva said. However, plumes usually lose most of their concentration in the eastern Caribbean, he noted. "Those islands tend to see more of an impact, more of a concentration where it can actually block out the sun a little bit at times," he said. The dry and dusty air known as the Saharan Air Layer forms over the Sahara desert in Africa and moves west across the Atlantic Ocean starting around April until about October, according to NOAA. It also prevents tropical waves from forming during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30. In June 2020, a record-breaking cloud of Sahara dust smothered the Caribbean. The size and concentration of the plume had not been seen in half a century, prompting forecasters to nickname it the "Godzilla dust cloud".
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Stargazers in Germany may catch rare glimpse of Northern Lights
Stargazers in Germany may catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights on Sunday night. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has registered a mass ejection of charged particles from the sun heading towards Earth, which could trigger such a spectacle. "The chances of seeing the Northern Lights for the coming night are indeed very high, even at mid-latitudes, meaning up to the Alpine region," Carolin Liefke from the House of Astronomy in Heidelberg said. However, she noted that precise forecasts are, as always, difficult to make. In Germany, the best prospects for viewing the colourful celestial display are in the centre of the country and the north-western half, from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia towards the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, a meteorologist from the German Weather Service said. In the south and east, the meteorologist expects predominantly clouds, with occasional showers and thunderstorms. Nevertheless, he added that there could also be significant clear-sky periods in those areas. The colourful lights in the sky can occur when mass ejections from the sun, which are massive clouds of charged particles, collide with Earth's magnetic field. The Northern Lights visible across large parts of Germany in May 2024 were triggered by a category G5 storm, the highest category. The cycle of strong and weak solar activity occurs in approximately 11-year cycles. The current cycle is currently in its maximum phase, which can last a few years and is characterized by relatively frequent solar eruptions.
