Breaking Waves: Ocean News

People in the US: how have you coped during this summer of record heat?

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:38 +0000

We’d like to hear from people about the impact of extreme heat this summer – and if you’ve had your power cut

English winemakers expect ‘vintage year’ after record-breaking summer heat

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:37 +0000

Hot weather means sweeter grapes, but outlook gloomier for beermakers, as drought diminishes barley harvest

English sparkling winemakers expect their earliest grape harvest and a “vintage year” after a scorching summer quickly ripened grapes.

However, beer sellers have warned of a potential shortage after record-breaking temperatures and a drought hitting much of England has caused poor yields of barley.

Hawaii has often dodged the path of hurricanes. Why did it see so many storms this summer?

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:37 +0000

Despite its location, the island chain has avoided the worst effects, but Hurricanes Lowell and Lala left a trail of damage this year

Hurricane Lowell surged near the Hawaiian Islands this week, leaving a trail of downed trees and power lines, crumbled roads, sunken boats and destroyed piers on the island of Kauai.

Residents were left to grapple not only with the damage, but the rising risks to the tropical archipelago as sea surface temperatures climb.

Chemical companies reach $455m settlement with North Carolina over ‘forever chemicals’ claims

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:50:32 +0000

Chemours, DuPont and Corteva reach settlement after lawsuits accuse companies of polluting drinking water

Chemours, DuPont and Corteva on Thursday reached a $455m settlement with ⁠North Carolina and 11 local entities over Pfas contamination claims tied to ⁠Chemours’ Fayetteville Works ⁠plant and other historical discharges.

NHS reports busiest ever summer as heatwaves drive up hospital admissions

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:37:12 +0000

Record demand for A&E units, ambulance services and NHS 111 shows extreme heat having unprecedented impact on health, experts say

The NHS came under its most intense strain ever as a result of the summer’s five heatwaves, amid warnings that extreme heat is having an unprecedented impact on human health.

A&E units, ambulance services and the NHS 111 telephone advice line all experienced record demand for their services in England in June, July and August as Britain experienced record temperatures.

UK ministers explore raising price of water for industrial users amid shortages

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:14:04 +0000

Environment Agency says talks under way about increasing prices for industrial users to try to reduce poor water management

Ministers are exploring making water more expensive for some users, in the face of severe supply shortages.

Chemical industry backed laws in three US states to restrict use of air pollution data

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:23 +0000

As public air monitors disappear, federal rollbacks and state laws are making it harder than ever to know what’s in the air

As the US’s network for monitoring air pollution deteriorates, a Floodlight investigation has found that the chemical industry is going state-to-state to restrict one of the few options citizens have left for holding polluters accountable: low-cost air sensors.

Climate ‘feedback loops’ could worsen global warming by 30%, study finds

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:00:19 +0000

Emissions of planet-heating methane and CO2 from natural sources are worsening the climate crisis, paper says

Rising global temperatures caused by the burning of fossil fuels are transforming the world’s forests, wetlands and tundra to the point they are releasing emissions that could further worsen global heating by as much as 30%, a new study has found.

How the fate of a small furry animal reveals the ecological tragedy of Israel’s war on Lebanon | Hisham Younes

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 06:00:18 +0000

The Syrian rock hyrax depends on the fragile landscapes of the border region. Alongside other environmentalists, I have been documenting the destruction of its habitat

Is Burnham trying to appease Trump? Or Reform? What other reason is there for these North Sea oil plans? | George Monbiot

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:00:16 +0000

Climate catastrophe is on our doorstep – yet Labour’s impending approval of further drilling will bring more pain for negligible gains