Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Dartford warbler stages a comeback 60 years after almost vanishing

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:32:17 +0000

Survey shows 44% increase on RSPB reserves of bird that almost became extinct in England in the 60s

More than half a century after the Dartford warbler almost vanished from the English countryside, the charismatic heathland bird appears to be staging a comeback.

A survey has revealed the highest number of Dartford warblers ever recorded on reserves run by the bird conservation charity RSPB, with 264 pairs counted in 2025, a 44% increase in five years.

Footage of rare giant otter pups at Chester zoo – video

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:17:20 +0000

The 15-week-old triplets get their first swimming lesson from their mum, Bonita, and dad, Manu. The two boys, Uca and Yali, are named after an area of the Amazon rainforest and the second largest region in Peru. The female pup is named Yara, which means ‘river spirit’ in Brazilian folklore. Endangered giant otters face an uncertain future as conservationists estimate that only a few thousand remain across South America. The pups have been born as part of the international conservation breeding programme in European zoos that is working to safeguard them from extinction

Solar energy helps US farms stay afloat – but Republicans’ bill could change that

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:00:55 +0000

Installing solar panels to offset electricity costs helps farms during financial strain. But the House version of the farm bill would limit their use

Twelve years ago, George Hunt needed a new roof on his cow barn in Orange, Massachusetts. Solar was “hot” back then, Hunt said, thanks to federal and state commitments to increase renewable energy supplies.

Conservationists alarmed by drastic cuts to key UK fund for global nature protection

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 14:02:17 +0000

Conservation groups warn slashing Darwin Initiative will put species and habitats in jeopardy, and set back efforts to halt decline in nature

One of the UK’s longest-standing funds for global nature protection is being drastically cut back, the Guardian has learned.

Week in wildlife: a baby pangolin, a gorilla super-mum and Formula One geese

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 08:01:37 +0000

This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world

Air conditioning: the wealthy and well can afford it, but disabled people who need it most can't | Frances Ryan

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 07:00:43 +0000

It is a short-term fix, but AC is an essential tool for many for whom the heat can be harmful, and even life-threatening

I used to love a heatwave. I was the sort of British person who acted like I was in the Mediterranean if the sun was slightly visible, coercing friends to take the outside restaurant table and eagerly working in the garden until my MacBook started to overheat rather than my internal organs. That was until I developed post-viral fatigue from the flu nine years ago.

Global heating is making hajj ever more dangerous, report finds

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 23:01:34 +0000

Rising heat in Saudi Arabia threatens millions of Muslim pilgrims – but cutting fossil fuels would keep it safer

Global heating has “fundamentally altered” the climate of Mecca and is exposing millions of hajj pilgrims to extreme and dangerous heat even in months outside summer, new analysis has found.

Enfield council withdraws from government’s new towns programme

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:47:13 +0000

London authority’s new Tory-led administration delivers significant blow to Labour’s flagship housebuilding scheme

Enfield council in north London has withdrawn from the government’s new towns programme, in a significant blow to Labour’s flagship housebuilding scheme.

The Guardian view on energy shocks: winter is coming – and Labour needs a plan | Editorial

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:44:07 +0000

Clean power remains essential. But until it arrives, Britain must stop LNG made scarce by the Iran war setting gas and electricity prices

The US-Israel war on Iran will drive household energy costs in Britain to their highest level in two years over the summer. This has given fresh impetus to calls for the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, to change course. The cabinet minister is vulnerable because he promised cheaper bills if Britain embraced his clean, green power plan.

‘They’re a private company, run for profit!’: fury in Kent at South East Water’s outages

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:01:53 +0000

Water company blames increased demand in extreme heat, but customers want answers about lack of storage reservoirs

“Spitting, fuming, angry and powerless” is how Pat Prestage describes her emotions after a water outage that has affected thousands of homes in Kent during the heatwave.