Breaking Waves: Ocean News

As AI guzzles water and energy, we are already facing a choice: datacentres or homes? | John Harris

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 11:03:18 +0000

Whitehall wants to triple their number in the UK. Yet in Slough, I saw the impact they’re having on communities

Falkland Islanders call for referendum on plans for massive salmon farm

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 09:00:11 +0000

The 3,500 population is divided over the venture, which would bring investment and jobs, but critics claim the environmental cost would be too high

It is among the world’s last pristine wildernesses, with unique coastal waters rich in krill and squid that attract sea lions, elephant seals, dolphins and whales, and where penguins, of which there are five different species locally, outnumber people.

Sydney gardener fined almost $200,000 for removing 287 trees to improve harbourside mansion’s water views

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 05:35:39 +0000

Local council described incident as ‘worst act of environmental vandalism in Lane Cove history’

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Plastics contamination an ‘overlooked’ concern in food waste schemes, experts say

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 05:00:06 +0000

Researchers find microplastics can persist in compost, leaching into agricultural soils

Plastic contamination should be a central concern in efforts to deal with food waste, which campaigners call one of the most overlooked problems of the climate crisis, researchers have said.

This is despite the fact that, as the chef, author and activist Max La Manna puts it, food waste management is “one of the few climate problems where everyone wins”.

‘Super El Niño’ could bring wet winter and flooding to western US, climate scientists warn

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 19:21:14 +0000

Weather system tied to warming sea surface expected to intensify in fall and winter, persisting until early spring 2027

El Niño, a recurring climate phenomenon marked by above-average sea surface temperatures, when changes in wind patterns allow warmer water to spread across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, could spell a wet winter for portions of the western and south-eastern US, climate models show. Coastal areas may be at elevated risk of flooding, experts warn.

The ornithological artist drawing 1,000 birds by hand – all for an app that wants you off your phone

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 11:00:47 +0000

The mission of the Flock app is quietly subversive: to encourage users to ditch their screens and explore the wonderful world of birding

On a brilliantly bright afternoon in his gallery and studio in Bolinas, a small town on the northern California coast, Keith Hansen was putting the finishing touches on a watercolor of an almost improbably flamboyant painted bunting.

Nazi shipwrecks emerge from the depths as Europe’s Danube dries up

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 10:55:15 +0000

Unexploded ordnance and a military motorcycle also recovered following record heat and drought conditions

Record-low water levels in the Danube have exposed remnants of Europe’s Nazi past, with dozens of second world war ships emerging from the riverbed during an intense drought.

In the middle of the river on the Serbian and Romanian border, a broken-up hull was visible on a sandbank that is normally underwater. Other vessels were partly submerged, some still believed to be laden with weapons.

Christopher Harry on a summer of devastating wildfires – cartoon

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 10:00:43 +0000

Scratch of the day: local football season postponed due to ‘rock hard’ pitches

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 09:00:43 +0000

Drought and record heat have forced the Norfolk and Suffolk league to move kick-off to the end of August as the ground is deemed too dangerous to play on

This summer’s record drought has forced a football league to delay the start of its season because “rock hard” pitches are a danger to its players.

The 2026/27 season in the Anglian Combination League of 85 amateur teams in Norfolk and Suffolk was due to start next weekend.

Sadiq Khan calls on Andy Burnham to commit to climate action as pressure grows over North Sea oil

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 08:00:40 +0000

London mayor points to ‘terrifying scenes’ this summer amid speculation Burnham may back Jackdaw and Rosebank projects

Sadiq Khan: This burning summer is the proof: the voices of climate denial aren’t just delusional, they’re deadly

Sadiq Khan has called on the government to commit to revamped climate action and to reduce the UK’s reliance on oil and gas, as the UK endures a summer of drought, wildfires and heatwaves.