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New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
William Shatner begs French President Macron to save orcas stuck in abandoned marine park
William Shatner has sent a passionate message to the French president begging him to save two orcas stuck in an abandoned marine park. They are confined in Marineland Antibes, a French marine park near Cannes, which shut its doors in January 2025. Advertisement Despite ongoing efforts to relocate the animals, French authorities have yet to identify a suitable site in Europe for the orcas and have reportedly rejected a proposed move to a marine zoo in Japan. 4 William Shatner speaks in a video advocating for the freeing of two orcas stuck at an abandoned French marine park. / SWNS Footage released by animal activist groups show the orcas Wikie, 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo swimming aimlessly around the abandoned park. Now the 94-year-old Star Trek star has joined a non-profit organization that mobilizes people to protect the planet, and recorded a video message, addressing President Macron. Advertisement He said: 'We know you care, President Macron, about the plight of Wikie and Keijo, but we are asking you to act now. 'Move them to a safe and healthy location. There is not much time left to save them, and while no solution is perfect the alternative could mean death.' 'These beautiful animals may not survive much longer,' Shatner added in the exclusively obtained video. Advertisement 4 An orca swims in a pool at the Marineland Antibes in France. TideBreakers / SWNS The orcas must be relocated by December 2026 due to a national ban, but relocation efforts have stalled amid legal and logistical issues. Shatner said the mission was reminiscent of his iconic role in 'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'. He famously traveled through time to rescue whales in the 1986 film, and is now advocating for the real-life orcas. Advertisement Kathleen Rogers, president of said the organisation was inspired to ask for the actor's help because of the movie. 'We were all on a call discussing whether anyone had any idea how much it would cost to move the two orcas,' Rogers explained. 'I said, 'The only thing I know about moving orcas is from Star Trek IV when William Shatner went into the future to save the planet by bringing back two whales from the past.' 'We suddenly, of course, moved immediately to 'how do we get William Shatner?' 'In a very short turnaround time, William Shatner was immediately engaged.' Following France's 2021 law banning the breeding and captivity of cetaceans, Marineland Antibes must relocate its marine mammals by December 2026. The facility housing Wikie and Keijo is reportedly in dire condition. Advertisement 'The facility itself is crumbling,' Rogers said. 4 The Marineland Antibes facility housing Wikie and Keijo is reportedly in dire condition. TideBreakers / SWNS 'There are groups in France using drones to look at the conditions of the facility, which is not just covered with algae, but some of the walls are collapsing.' The situation is complicated by competing interests and disagreements about the best solution. Advertisement 'At one point, Spain was ready and willing to take them,' Rogers said. 'That negotiation fell apart due to ongoing lawsuits over the facility's size and necessary veterinary care.' 4 The orcas must be relocated by December 2026 due to a national ban, but relocation efforts have stalled amid legal and logistical issues. TideBreakers / SWNS Advertisement Still, Rogers believes solutions exist if all parties can come together. 'I think number one, getting everybody at the same table because there are all these different conversations taking place,' she added 'Number two, there has to be agreement on the proper facility.' Rogers specifically called on President Macron to take leadership on the issue. She added: 'He can immediately assemble the right people and solve the problem.'
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
World Environment Day 2025 puts plastic crisis under global spotlight
Listen to article As the world marks Environment Day on June 5, environmental groups are renewing calls to 'Beat Plastic Pollution,' a global theme repeated for 2025 amid rising concerns over plastics' health and environmental impacts. the organisation behind April's Earth Day campaigns, is urging individuals, communities, and policymakers to take decisive action. Their 2025 theme, Our Power, Our Planet, focuses on grassroots strength in the face of sluggish international negotiations. Despite hopes that this year would see the finalisation of the UN Global Plastics Treaty, talks in Busan failed to reach consensus, forcing a sixth round of negotiations (INC5.2) later this year in Switzerland. Countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia and China have resisted proposals to limit plastic production and toxic chemicals. 'Delays now mean more harm for both the planet and human health,' said in a statement. The Rio Sucio or "Dirty River", where one branch is colored yellow/brown by the minerals it carries from the Irazu Volcano, is seen mixing with the clear waters filtered by the tropical rainforest in the Braullio Carrillo National Park, 50 km (31 miles) east of San Jose, June 5, 2012. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate Plastic's invisible toll According to the organisation's data, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, half of which is single-use. Much of it never reaches landfills, instead polluting ecosystems and entering food and water sources. 2023 Babies vs Plastics report and its follow-up campaigns have linked plastic chemicals to cancer, infertility, developmental disorders, and even dementia. Recycling, once a hopeful solution, is now under scrutiny for spreading microplastics and being mostly ineffective. Ram Singh (L) and his relatives, dressed in traditional Hindu saffron-coloured clothes walk on a garbage-strewn beach against the backdrop of monsoon clouds on World Environment Day in Mumbai, June 5, 2012. According to the United Nations Environment Programme website, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 to raise global awareness and motivate action for environmental protection. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash Local cleanups, global impact Despite slow progress at the diplomatic level, organisers are championing local action through the Great Global Cleanup. In 2025, over 4,000 cleanup events have removed more than 7 million pounds of waste globally. Activists also urge public support for the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act and the Global Plastics Petition, aimed at pressuring lawmakers to adopt stricter controls. 'Change doesn't have to wait on governments,' the group said, calling back to the grassroots success of the first Earth Day in 1970, which led to key US environmental laws. Boats are docked at the polluted Amatitlan Lake, 30 km (18 miles) south of Guatemala City June 5, 2012. REUTERS/William Gularte A call to act, not wait While World Environment Day is annual, the group stressed that its goals require constant, year-round effort. 'This is a fight for our health, our planet, and our future,' said A dead tortoise is seen near the shores of Lake Xolotlan, also known as Lake Managua, which has an area of approximately 1000 sq km and has been receiving raw sewage from Managua's one million residents since 1920, in Managua June 5, 2012. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Members of global think tanks form alliance to scale up net-zero energy transition
New Delhi: Experts from several global think tanks have joined hands to launch the Net Zero Energy Transition Alliance (NETRA), a not-for-profit initiative to drive commercialisation and scaling of zero carbon emission technologies across grids, transportation, and industry. NETRA will work on six key pillars -- policy advocacy and regulatory support; industry-led research and development and innovation collaborations, market development and commercialisation, capacity building and skill development, knowledge sharing and networking, and access to capital and partnerships, according to a statement. The alliance was launched on the occasion of 55th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 at a virtual conference on 'Our Power - Our Planet'. Organised in collaboration with the event saw over 300 global thought leaders, policymakers, innovators, and investors deliberating on practical solutions for accelerating the net-zero energy transition in the decade ahead. "For many of us who have been working on clean energy for over two decades, this is a pivotal moment," said Rahul Walawalkar, Founding President of NETRA. "Through NETRA, we are creating a platform that connects the dots between innovation, investment, and implementation -- because the future will not wait for us to catch up." Kathleen Rogers, President of said: "We are proud to partner with NETRA to amplify the voice of solutions -- solutions that are scalable, inclusive, and urgent." According to Ashish Khanna, Director General, the International Solar Alliance (ISA), NETRA should focus on new and emerging energy technologies and their quick implementation in green energy sector and sustainable mobility space. Organizations like LDES Council, Norway India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI), GH2 India (Green Hydrogen Organization), Australian Microgrid Center of Excellence (AMCoE), UL Research Institute (ULRI) and PIXII, Europe's 3rd fasted growing energy tech company, have signed agreements with NETRA and also joined as key partners and members. According to the statement, NETRA will focus on various energy transition areas including renewable energy (solar and wind), bio fuels and biomass energy, hydro and nuclear energy, and sustainable transportation including EVs, UAVs, among others. Other key focus areas will include industrial and commercial sectors such as cement, steel, plastics, petroleum, and data centre; green buildings; batteries and energy storage; carbon capture; grid operation and utilities; financing; supply chain and circular economy. NETRA will also engage with global organisations and industry leaders periodically to develop first 12-month action plan -- building alignment across regions and sectors to overcome key deployment barriers and fast-track commercialisation of clean technologies. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, a Padmashri awardee, as part of the advisory board of NETRA, invited industry players to enhance the collaborative effort to accelerate the energy transition journey. Other members of the alliance included Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF; Erik Solheim, former UN diplomat from Norway; Frank Wouters, Chair, Advisory Board, DII Desert Energy & MENA Hydrogen Alliance (UAE); and Tim Buckley, Director, Climate Energy Finance.
Mint
22-04-2025
- General
- Mint
World Earth Day 2025: History, theme, significance - All you need to know about the need to protect the planet
As the world celebrates "Earth Day' on April 22, the festivities mark a consciousness occasion to raise awareness about concerning environmental issues and address the associated problems that impact our planet. Earth Day Network, which is now known as is credited with establishing the day as an initiative to mobilise the environmental movement worldwide to address concerning issues such as climate change, pollution and deforestation. ' founders created and organized the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since then, Earth Day Network also known as has been mobilizing over 1 billion people annually on Earth Day, and every other day, to protect the planet," the website states. The world's first Earth Day was observed in 1971 on April 22 when UN Secretary-General U Thant held a special ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York. In 1962, US Senator Gaylord Nelson lobbied the federal government to observe Earth Day, considering that the 'planet is at risk'. This day aims to make an impact as it demonstrates support for environmental protection through a range of events. To educate the masses across the globe, numerous events, rallies, and campaigns are organised on this day. The theme for Earth Day 2025 is 'Our Power, Our Planet.' It focuses on measures to achieve 'triple clean electricity' goal by 2030 using renewable energy. The day advocates protection of natural resources such as air, oceans, soil, ecosystems, wildlife, and human health by harnessing renewable sources of energy. Solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and tidal energy are in focus to create clean, inexpensive, and unlimited energy for the entire planet. This year, Earth Day marks its 55th anniversary with global activations aimed at mobilising a billion people worldwide to take transformative action for our planet for a sustainable future. Invest in energy-efficient systems. Reduce wastage of energy at home like electricity. Participate in clean-up drive. Plant a tree. Reduce plastic use. Adopt the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle in daily life. Use clean energy. Promote sustainability. First Published: 22 Apr 2025, 08:10 AM IST
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Earth Action Day: Unleashing our power for our planet
Soon, April 22 will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The power of those 20 million voices that came out on the streets that first Earth Day led the United States to create the Environmental Protection Agency and the first generation of environmental laws addressing clean air, clean water and toxics. Fast forward to today. Under the banner of, 'Our Power. Our Planet', the global organizer of Earth Day, is calling on people from all walks of life to join in 'Earth Action Day' — an effort to once again mobilize people power to tackle the current generation of environmental crises. Last year was a disaster for the planet and its people. According to NASA, it was the warmest year since temperatures began being recorded in 1880. In the U.S. alone there were 27 climate and weather events resulting in at least a billion dollars of damages — second only to 2023 with 28 such events. While a number of factors have contributed to the increase in these catastrophic events, research demonstrates that 'human-caused climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of certain types of extreme weather that lead to billion-dollar disasters — most notably the rise in vulnerability to drought, lengthening wildfire seasons in the Western states, and the potential for extremely heavy rainfall becoming more common in the eastern states.' The news about plastic pollution is similarly dark. Earth Action reported that on last September 5 – Plastic Overshoot Day – the amount of plastic waste exceeded the capacity of waste systems to manage. An estimated 220 million tonnes of plastic waste were expected to be produced in 2024 with 66 percent of the population living in places where the amount of waste exceeds local capacity. While negotiation of a strong global treaty on plastics in Korea and INC 5 held forth the promise of handling some of these issues, negotiators failed to reach agreement and the talks drone on. All of this is taking place in the face of increasing scientific news about the harmful impacts of plastics on humans and their health. World Wildlife Federation reported that humans could be ingesting up to 5 grams of plastic each week and a recent report found that high levels of plastics have been found in human brains. Additional research has shown that plastics are associated with everything from cancer to endocrine disruption, which can impair reproduction, growth and cognitive abilities. Wildlife too is suffering, with plastic ingestion and entanglement contributing to starvation and strangulation, among other issues. For years we have been told by the plastics industry we can clean up and recycle our way out of this problem – continued use of plastics, however, means continued use of fossil fuels and recycling has been demonstrated to be in large part a myth due to factors including quality degradation, contamination and non-recyclable content. What is the common thread of all these challenges facing our planet and the survival of its people – the cause of all of these threats can be traced to one source – humanity. The encouraging and hopefully inspiring news is that the solutions to these problems also rest in the hands of the people. We have the collective power not only to protect our planet but also to improve lives and livelihoods. The link between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change is now scientifically indisputable. According to the United Nations, fossil fuels make up 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. The good news from the International Renewable Energy Agency is that 90% of global electricity can and should come from renewable sources by 2050. Slowing the climate crisis is only one of many reasons to switch to renewables. Renewable energy prices are falling and in most places of the world today, it is the least expensive option. Other benefits range from preventing unhealthy air associated with the burning of fossil fuels to creating up to 30 million jobs to supporting energy security. Whether you choose to power your home or vehicle with renewable energy, support community solar, or call on government leaders for more research and investment, the options for taking action to accelerate the transition to renewables are many. Similarly, as consumers we can choose plastic free products, demand a reduction and transition in the use of plastics from business while at the same time pressuring government leaders to reduce production globally, end the use of toxic ingredients, and improve waste management systems. So this Earth Action Day exercise your power! We need to demonstrate to our leaders in government and business that we are still here, we are a witness to their actions and we will hold them accountable to do right by our planet and its people. Susan Bass is Senior Vice President of the world's largest recruiter to the environmental movement with thousands of partners in 192 countries. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Between climate, plastics, energy, we need Earth Action Day | Opinion
