Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en ‘It’s going to be extremely hot’: workers imperiled as sweltering World Cup temperatures are forecast https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/it-s-going-be-extremely-hot-workers-imperiled-sweltering-world-cup-temperatures-are-fo <p>It could top 90F in several cities hosting World Cup games – and workers could pay the price with their health</p> <p>As the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-2026">World Cup</a> kicks off, labor advocates and scholars warn that the workers making the tournament possible could face serious heat-related risks.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/it-s-going-be-extremely-hot-workers-imperiled-sweltering-world-cup-temperatures-are-fo" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 14 Jun 2026 10:00:41 +0000 admin 103586 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Amoc collapse could change Europe’s climate 10x faster than expected. We aren’t ready https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/amoc-collapse-could-change-europe-s-climate-10x-faster-expected-we-aren-t-ready <p>The system of ocean current that moves heat in the Atlantic Ocean plays a key role in regulating climate. Today’s monitoring of it may be discontinued</p> <p>Imagine we detect a large asteroid heading straight for Earth. We are able to intervene and prevent disaster, but instead we cut the funding needed to track it. A few million dollars, it was argued, was too expensive to have a chance to save society.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/amoc-collapse-could-change-europe-s-climate-10x-faster-expected-we-aren-t-ready" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 14 Jun 2026 10:00:40 +0000 admin 103587 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Illegal dump becomes ‘symbol of north-south divide’ at heart of Makerfield byelection https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/illegal-dump-becomes-symbol-north-south-divide-heart-makerfield-byelection <p>Failure to clear up rotting, rat-infested site is a key issue for local people as they weigh up politicians’ promises</p> <p>A mountain of rubbish sits behind a metal fence in the village of Bickershaw, where it has remained for more than 20 months. For many residents, it is a physical manifestation of the north-south divide as well as a rotting, rat-infested symbol of a broken system in which organised criminal gangs make millions while communities endure the toxic impact of their trade.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/illegal-dump-becomes-symbol-north-south-divide-heart-makerfield-byelection" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sun, 14 Jun 2026 06:00:35 +0000 admin 103585 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Denial is back in vogue. As Australia leads climate talks, it’s beyond time we took the issue seriously https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/denial-back-vogue-australia-leads-climate-talks-it-s-beyond-time-we-took-issue-serious <p>It is unlikely that many voters are flocking to Pauline Hanson for her scientific insights – but that is where they are lining up, regardless</p> <ul> <li> <p>Want to get this in your inbox when it publishes?<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/10/sign-up-for-the-clear-air-australia-environment-newsletter-with-adam-morton?CMP=cvau_sfl"> Sign up for the Clear Air Australia newsletter here</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/denial-back-vogue-australia-leads-climate-talks-it-s-beyond-time-we-took-issue-serious" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 13 Jun 2026 20:00:25 +0000 admin 103583 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org I was a hardcore twitcher. I understand why the Cocos booby has Australia’s birders in a frenzy | Andrew Stafford https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/i-was-hardcore-twitcher-i-understand-why-cocos-booby-has-australia-s-birders-frenzy-an <p>Twitchers can be the subject of derision but they have greatly expanded our understanding of birdlife in the age of extinction</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/i-was-hardcore-twitcher-i-understand-why-cocos-booby-has-australia-s-birders-frenzy-an" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 13 Jun 2026 20:00:24 +0000 admin 103584 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Gee, whiz: elephant relieves itself on floor of Texas Republican convention https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/gee-whiz-elephant-relieves-itself-floor-texas-republican-convention <p>Four-ton Paige, brought in as surprise for attenders, made gushing debut after governor finished keynote speech</p> <p>An African elephant weighing roughly 4 tons that was brought to the Texas Republican party’s annual convention to excite attenders ended up drawing widespread attention for the wrong reasons after she urinated on the convention floor and became the focus of animal welfare concerns.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/gee-whiz-elephant-relieves-itself-floor-texas-republican-convention" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 13 Jun 2026 17:16:53 +0000 admin 103582 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Tropical heron spotted in UK for first time as more exotic birds arrive to thrill birdwatchers https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/tropical-heron-spotted-uk-first-time-more-exotic-birds-arrive-thrill-birdwatchers <p>Appearance of a western reef heron in north Wales is unlikely to be the last, as heating temperatures mean species can survive Britain’s winter, say experts</p> <p>It is a tropical bird typically encountered between west Africa and India, but last week a western reef heron arrived in north Wales in what is believed to be the first ever sighting in the UK.</p> <p>The heron was first spotted in <a href="https://www.birdwatchingtrips.co.uk/bird-blog/a-day-on-the-bay">Foryd Bay</a> at the weekend before flying to nearby Caernarfon harbour where it fed among the boats.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/tropical-heron-spotted-uk-first-time-more-exotic-birds-arrive-thrill-birdwatchers" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:00:08 +0000 admin 103581 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘Fast-track’ regulation could expose Britons to harmful chemicals, say campaigners https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/fast-track-regulation-could-expose-britons-harmful-chemicals-say-campaigners <p>Exclusive: Fighting Dirty taking legal action against government over proposal it says could import weaker standards</p> <p>An environmental campaign group is taking legal action against the government over proposals that it claims could fast-track chemical hazard classifications from other countries with lower standards into UK law.</p> <p>Fighting Dirty claims proposals to change the classification and labelling of potentially hazardous chemicals could result in the UK weakening standards on cancer-causing substances.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/fast-track-regulation-could-expose-britons-harmful-chemicals-say-campaigners" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:00:05 +0000 admin 103580 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Trees may store less planet-heating carbon than hoped, study suggests https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/trees-may-store-less-planet-heating-carbon-hoped-study-suggests <p>Photosynthesis does not always result in wood growth, a key factor in carbon dioxide sequestration</p> <p>Trees may not be able to store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, a study suggests, with researchers finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.</p> <p>Scientists studied 137 sites across the US and found trees stopped growing months before the point in the year at which photosynthesis stopped.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/13/trees-store-less-carbon-than-thought-study">Continue reading...</a></p> Sat, 13 Jun 2026 04:00:04 +0000 admin 103579 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Australia can switch from fossil fuel exports to renewables, says next Cop president https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/australia-can-switch-fossil-fuel-exports-renewables-says-next-cop-president <p>Climate minister Chris Bowen says country must prepare for changing world and can play bigger role in reducing emissions</p> <p>Australia will find exporting fossil fuels increasingly difficult but can switch to exporting clean energy products, the president of the next UN climate negotiations has declared.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/australia-can-switch-fossil-fuel-exports-renewables-says-next-cop-president" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:00:02 +0000 admin 103577 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org