Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en At least 25 people die in US as record heatwave scorches swaths of country https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/least-25-people-die-us-record-heatwave-scorches-swaths-country <p>More than 20 states reported temperatures above 100F as heat dome sits over eastern US during holiday weekend</p> <p>At least about two dozen people have died amid the perilous <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/03/heatwave-world-cup-250th-anniversary">climate crisis-driven</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/03/heatwave-world-cup-250th-anniversary">heatwave</a> that has scorched swaths of the US with record temperatures.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/least-25-people-die-us-record-heatwave-scorches-swaths-country" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 05 Jul 2026 18:49:28 +0000 admin 103806 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Fears Queenslanders could be forced to pay for mine cleanup as LNP reviews environmental ‘red tape’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/fears-queenslanders-could-be-forced-pay-mine-cleanup-lnp-reviews-environmental-red-tap <p>Mining minister Dale Last says the state has an ‘enormous opportunity’ to become a global leader in critical minerals</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/jul/02/australia-politics-live-defence-aukus-conroy-national-press-club-anthony-albanese-labor-question-time-angus-taylor-coalition-tax-reform-one-nation-pauline-hanson-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/fears-queenslanders-could-be-forced-pay-mine-cleanup-lnp-reviews-environmental-red-tap" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:00:30 +0000 admin 103804 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Mass fish deaths feared as Minns government promise to restore Murray-Darling rivers in doubt https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/mass-fish-deaths-feared-minns-government-promise-restore-murray-darling-rivers-doubt <p>Grazier is worried towns will ‘run out of water’ if flows don’t improve, urging state government to take action regardless of federal funds</p> <ul> <li> <p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/mass-fish-deaths-feared-minns-government-promise-restore-murray-darling-rivers-doubt" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:00:29 +0000 admin 103805 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Empty reservoirs, ladybirds and sunstroke: remembering the UK heatwave of 1976 https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/empty-reservoirs-ladybirds-and-sunstroke-remembering-uk-heatwave-1976 <p>As Britain reached its hottest June temperature on record, readers recall the summer when temperatures hit 36C</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/26/uk-government-urged-to-act-on-devastating-impact-of-heatwaves">recent heatwave in the UK</a> broke the previous June record of 35.6C, recorded <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/23/heatwave-1976-extreme-heat-climate-crisis-new-normal">during the 1976 heatwave</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/empty-reservoirs-ladybirds-and-sunstroke-remembering-uk-heatwave-1976" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 05 Jul 2026 13:00:27 +0000 admin 103803 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org British swallowtail split from European cousins much earlier than thought, study finds https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/british-swallowtail-split-european-cousins-much-earlier-thought-study-finds <p>Finding that Norfolk butterfly has been distinct subspecies for 200,000 years could transform conservation approach</p> <p>The endangered swallowtail butterfly <em>Papilio machaon britannicus</em>, which is only regularly found breeding in Britain on the Norfolk Broads, has been a distinct subspecies for at least 200,000 years, according to a study.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/british-swallowtail-split-european-cousins-much-earlier-thought-study-finds" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 05 Jul 2026 11:00:25 +0000 admin 103802 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘They ate the shrimp, they even ate the crab’: Thai fishers count the cost of a voracious invader https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/they-ate-shrimp-they-even-ate-crab-thai-fishers-count-cost-voracious-invader <p>Huge numbers of blackchin tilapia, a fish native to west Africa, are wreaking havoc among Thailand’s river ecosystems. Experts – and some chefs – are seeking sustainable solutions</p> <p>The menu at Kor-Tae seafood restaurant, in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province, is filled with Thai classics – from tom yum talay, a fragrant hot and sour soup, to spicy larb salads. But the restaurant’s chef is also experimenting with a more controversial ingredient: blackchin tilapia.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/they-ate-shrimp-they-even-ate-crab-thai-fishers-count-cost-voracious-invader" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 05 Jul 2026 04:00:16 +0000 admin 103801 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Norfolk Island’s unique corals under triple threat from disease, El Niño and now government-approved dredging https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/norfolk-island-s-unique-corals-under-triple-threat-disease-el-ni-o-and-now-government- <p><strong>Exclusive: </strong>Most of the island’s corals are likely to be species that have not been formally described by science, researcher says</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/jul/05/australia-news-live-albanese-labor-nsw-h5-bird-flu-angus-taylor-liberal-coalition-pauline-hanson-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/norfolk-island-s-unique-corals-under-triple-threat-disease-el-ni-o-and-now-government-" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:00:07 +0000 admin 103800 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Overcrowded and underfunded: Trump’s cuts to national parks threaten the US’s ‘best idea’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/overcrowded-and-underfunded-trump-s-cuts-national-parks-threaten-us-s-best-idea <p>This summer, Yosemite national park has been rife with traffic jams and throngs of visitors. Can these popular national treasures withstand a future of strained resources?</p> <p>On a crisp, sunny morning at the end of June, dappled light filtered through the canopy of an ancient grove of giant sequoias, casting a tranquil backdrop for a mule deer as it ambled across the trail. Families from around the world gazed up at the towering trees in awe, speaking in hushed tones and different languages.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/overcrowded-and-underfunded-trump-s-cuts-national-parks-threaten-us-s-best-idea" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 04 Jul 2026 14:00:15 +0000 admin 103798 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Birdsong data from Merlin ID app to help global biodiversity project https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/birdsong-data-merlin-id-app-help-global-biodiversity-project <p>Cornell Lab for Ornithology plans data linkup between app and population monitoring on eBird platform</p> <p>The Merlin bird ID app will allow users to feed real-time bird identifications into one of the world’s biggest citizen-science biodiversity projects in an update it is hoped will aid conservation of at-risk birds.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/birdsong-data-merlin-id-app-help-global-biodiversity-project" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:00:13 +0000 admin 103797 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org As auto costs rise, will the US miss the golden age of electric vehicles? https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/auto-costs-rise-will-us-miss-golden-age-electric-vehicles <p>Shifting demands and political ideology have left the industry vulnerable to global competition from cheap Chinese cars</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/auto-costs-rise-will-us-miss-golden-age-electric-vehicles" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:00:12 +0000 admin 103796 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org