Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Risotto rice under threat from flamingoes in north-eastern Italy

admin — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 04:00:02 +0000

Farmers are seeking ways to fend off birds who are stirring up soil in flooded paddy fields in Ferrara province

An unusual bird is ravaging crops and infuriating farmers in north-eastern Italy: the flamingo.

Flamingos are relatively recent arrivals in the area, and have settled into the flooded fields that produce rice for risotto in Ferrara province, between Venice and Ravenna.

England’s reservoirs at lowest level for a decade as experts call for hosepipe bans

admin — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Levels even lower than in severe drought year of 2022, data shows, with water firms urged to ‘be proactive’

England’s reservoirs are at their lowest levels for a decade, new data reveals, as experts urge water companies to immediately put hosepipe bans in place.

In June, reservoirs across the country were 76% full, which is below their level in the severe drought year of 2022 when they were at 77% capacity at this time in the summer.

HSBC becomes first UK bank to quit industry’s net zero alliance

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 17:38:43 +0000

Campaigners condemn ‘troubling’ move that follows departure of six of largest US banks after Trump’s election

HSBC has become the first UK bank to leave the global banking industry’s net zero target-setting group, as campaigners warned it was a “troubling” sign over the lender’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis.

The move risks triggering further departures from the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) by UK banks, in a fresh blow to international climate coordination efforts.

Wildfires force evacuations at two national parks in the US west

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 17:04:53 +0000

Visitors and staff at Arizona’s Grand Canyon and Colorado’s Black Canyon national park were evacuated

Fire activity is increasing across the American west, as critically dry landscapes and spiking temperatures fueled blazes in 11 states on Friday.

Evacuations were ordered at two national parks – Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the Grand Canyon in Arizona, as hot weather, low humidity and gusty winds pushed flames closer to recreation areas.

‘It can’t withstand the heat’: fears ‘stable’ Patagonia glacier in irreversible decline

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:00:42 +0000

Scientists say Perito Moreno, which for decades defied trend of glacial retreat, now rapidly losing mass

One of the few stable glaciers in a warming world, Perito Moreno, in Santa Cruz province, Argentina, is now undergoing a possibly irreversible retreat, scientists say.

Over the past seven years, it has lost 1.92 sq km (0.74 sq miles) of ice cover and its thickness is decreasing by up to 8 metres (26 ft) a year.

US pollution measurement practices raise questions about reliability of data

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:00:42 +0000

Guardian analysis heightens concerns on whether the air around many large factories is, or will be, safe to breathe

A Guardian analysis has raised fresh questions over the way regulators and corporations measure the air quality impact of planned factories that risk emitting dangerous levels of pollution.

Heat health alerts and hosepipe bans across England as third heatwave takes hold

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:47:53 +0000

UKHSA warning came into effect at noon on Friday as temperatures predicted to reach 33C over weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across parts of England and hosepipe bans imposed in various locations as the third heatwave of the summer takes hold.

The heat health warning announced by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) came into effect at noon on Friday and covers the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, east of England and London until 9am on Monday.

Trump administration yanks $15m in research into Pfas on US farms: ‘not just stupid, it’s evil’

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:00:16 +0000

Pfas-laden pesticides and sewage sludge used as fertilizer move into crops and nearby water sources

The Trump administration has killed nearly $15m in research into Pfas contamination of US farmland, bringing to a close studies that public health advocates say are essential for understanding a worrying source of widespread food contamination.

Step up restoration of ancient woodland before it is lost, Forestry England urged

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 10:24:04 +0000

Campaigners say just 5.8% of irreplaceable habitat at publicly owned sites has been fully restored in 10 years

Forestry England needs to urgently step up its ancient woodland restoration before the irreplaceable habitat is lost for ever, campaigners have said.

Findings by the campaign group Wild Card suggest that in the 10 most recently assessed years Forestry England, which is in charge of the country’s woodlands, has fully restored just 5.8% (2,484 hectares/6,138 acres) of publicly owned plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS).

Toxic Pfas above proposed safety limits in almost all English waters tested

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 09:00:53 +0000

Exclusive: 110 of 117 bodies of water tested by Environment Agency would fail standards, with levels in fish 322 times the planned limit

Nearly all rivers, lakes and ponds in England tested for a range of Pfas, known as “forever chemicals”, exceed proposed new safety limits and 85% contain levels at least five times higher, analysis of official data reveals.

Out of 117 water bodies tested by the Environment Agency for multiple types of Pfas, 110 would fail the safety standard, according to analysis by Wildlife and Countryside Link and the Rivers Trust.