Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en Californians brace for worst multiday heatwave of the year https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/californians-brace-worst-multiday-heatwave-year <p>Temperatures are expected to spike with a trio of heat, thunderstorms and fire risks compounding dangers</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/california">Californians</a> are bracing for the first major <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/extreme-heat">heatwave</a> of the year, a multiday scorcher that could bring triple-digit temperatures, pose significant threats to public health and sharply heighten wildfire risks.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/californians-brace-worst-multiday-heatwave-year" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 19:12:43 +0000 admin 101015 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Hurricane Erin pounds US east coast as residents brace for ‘life-threatening’ waves https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hurricane-erin-pounds-us-east-coast-residents-brace-life-threatening-waves <p>North Carolina anticipates the most brutal surf conditions after storm reportedly rebuilds inner eye wall</p> <p>Hurricane Erin’s arrival is being felt all along the east coast, where higher tides and powerful surf have triggered expanded warnings for flooding and tropical storm conditions.</p> <p>Coastal residents are bracing for the possibility of a dangerous storm surge reaching up to 4ft (1.2 metres), along with severe beach erosion. The hurricane is expected to generate “life-threatening” waves ranging from 15 to 20ft, with North Carolina beaches anticipating the most brutal waves.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/hurricane-erin-pounds-us-east-coast-residents-brace-life-threatening-waves" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:18:54 +0000 admin 101014 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Police investigate sabotage claims by UK activists against ‘fossil fuel finance’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/police-investigate-sabotage-claims-uk-activists-against-fossil-fuel-finance <p>Shut the System says its supporters carried out actions at offices of JP Morgan Chase, Allianz and Barclaycard</p> <p>The City of London police are investigating claims by environmental activists to have carried out acts of sabotage on the offices of major insurers and financial institutions.</p> <p>Activist group Shut the System said its supporters had cut cables and glued electrical service cabinets at JP Morgan Chase and Allianz, in what it described as the start of “a period of sustained sabotage” against fossil fuel finance.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/police-investigate-sabotage-claims-uk-activists-against-fossil-fuel-finance" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:03:51 +0000 admin 101013 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Trump-fueled gas boom has Gulf coast communities on edge: ‘We will keep fighting’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/trump-fueled-gas-boom-has-gulf-coast-communities-edge-we-will-keep-fighting <p>Residents cite pollution, loss of fishing and diminished tax revenue as liquefied natural gas production for export accelerates</p> <p><em>This story </em><em>was originally published by <a href="https://floodlightnews.org/trump-fueled-gas-boom-has-fenceline-gulf-coast-communities-on-edge/">Floodlight</a>, a non-profit newsroom that investigates the powers stalling climate action</em></p> <p>***</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/20/natural-gas-terminals-texas-louisiana-gulf-mexico">Continue reading...</a></p> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:00:21 +0000 admin 101012 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Dramatic rise in whale and dolphin strandings in Scotland https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/dramatic-rise-whale-and-dolphin-strandings-scotland <p>Research shows steep increases over past 30 years, after summer of strandings across Europe</p> <p>The number of marine mammals stranded in Scotland has risen dramatically in the past 30 years, a study has found.</p> <p>From 1992 to 2022, 5,147 cetaceans died on Scottish shores, and a new paper shows steep increases in the rate of strandings of up to 800% in some species, continuing exponentially every year.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/20/rise-whale-marine-mammal-strandings-scotland">Continue reading...</a></p> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:17 +0000 admin 101010 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘It has echoes of happiness’: life for gen Z in the seaside town I once called home https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/it-has-echoes-happiness-life-gen-z-seaside-town-i-once-called-home <p>The Guardian’s former north of England editor returned to Morecambe after 25 years to discover the place where she grew up has even fewer amenities for young people – and the feeling of being ‘left behind’ is stronger than ever</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/01/young-people-in-the-uk-share-your-experiences-of-living-in-a-coastal-town">Share your experiences of living in a coastal town</a></p> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Photographs by Polly Braden</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/it-has-echoes-happiness-life-gen-z-seaside-town-i-once-called-home" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:17 +0000 admin 101011 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Dramatic slowdown in melting of Arctic sea ice surprises scientists https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/dramatic-slowdown-melting-arctic-sea-ice-surprises-scientists <p>Natural climate variation is most likely reason as global heating due to fossil fuel burning has continued</p> <p>The melting of sea ice in the Arctic has slowed dramatically in the past 20 years, scientists have reported, with no statistically significant decline in its extent since 2005.</p> <p>The finding is surprising, the researchers say, given that carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning have continued to rise and trap ever more heat over that time.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/dramatic-slowdown-melting-arctic-sea-ice-surprises-scientists" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:00:17 +0000 admin 101009 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org UK wasp numbers soar after unusually warm and dry spring https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/uk-wasp-numbers-soar-after-unusually-warm-and-dry-spring <p>The scourges of picnics have arrived early and in greater numbers amid ideal conditions for colonies to thrive</p> <p>If dodging swooping gulls trying to steal your chips wasn’t already enough, you might be spending your bank holiday trying to keep wasps away from your ice cream too.</p> <p>Britain is in the middle of a wasp boom. Not only have they arrived earlier than expected, but there are more of them than in recent summers. Experts say 2025 is an excellent year for them.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/uk-wasp-numbers-soar-after-unusually-warm-and-dry-spring" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:00:30 +0000 admin 101007 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Monkeys falling from trees and baking barnacles: how heat is driving animals to extinction https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/monkeys-falling-trees-and-baking-barnacles-how-heat-driving-animals-extinction <p>With the number of very hot days rising as well as average temperatures, more and more animals are vulnerable. But while some species can adapt, others are seeing huge population declines</p> <p>The residents of Tecolutilla, Mexico, knew the heatwave was bad when they heard the thuds. One by one, the town’s howler monkeys, overcome with dehydration and exhaustion, were falling from the trees like apples, their limp bodies smacking the ground as temperatures sizzled past 43C (110F) in spring last year.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/monkeys-falling-trees-and-baking-barnacles-how-heat-driving-animals-extinction" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:00:30 +0000 admin 101008 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Voices arguing that climate action is a waste of time are getting louder. Here’s why they are wrong | Clear Air https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/voices-arguing-climate-action-waste-time-are-getting-louder-here-s-why-they-are-wrong- <p>Optimism may be hard to come by but the evidence shows some progress on emissions is not just possible – it’s happening before our eyes</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/voices-arguing-climate-action-waste-time-are-getting-louder-here-s-why-they-are-wrong-" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 19 Aug 2025 23:57:06 +0000 admin 101006 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org