As official drought is declared in parts of England, here are some measures to preserve and future-proof gardens
With British gardens facing record temperatures, drought and hosepipe bans, it’s time for emergency measures. It’s particularly important because during drought, additional mains water is drawn from wild sources, affecting struggling wildlife. Here are some of the things you can do.
Continue reading...
Breaking Waves: Ocean News
08/14/2022 - 02:00
08/13/2022 - 23:45
Volodymyr Zelenskiy vows attacks on troops based in Europe’s largest nuclear power station and those who fire upon the site
What we know on day 172 of the invasion
Ukraine’s president has said his forces will target Russian soldiers who shoot at Europe’s largest nuclear power station or use it as a base from which to launch attacks, as G7 nations called on Moscow to withdraw its forces from the plant, fearing a nuclear catastrophe.
“Every Russian soldier who either shoots at the plant, or shoots using the plant as cover, must understand that he becomes a special target for our intelligence agents, for our special services, for our army,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video address on Saturday night.
Continue reading...
08/13/2022 - 22:25
The Pacific country has committed to 100% renewable energy in electricity generation by 2030
The Pacific country of Vanuatu has launched one of the world’s most ambitious climate policies, committing to 100% renewable energy in electricity generation by 2030 and ambitious targets on loss and damage.
The announcement signals yet another instance of the small island state making its mark in international climate efforts.
Continue reading...
08/13/2022 - 12:02
Amber heat warning in place in parts of England and Wales, and very hot weather expected over rest of weekend
Wildfires could continue to break out across the UK this weekend, as the Environment Agency (EA) warns that the drought in England could persist into next year.
The Met Office has issued an amber heat warning across parts of England and Wales, as regions are braced for temperatures as high as 35C.
Continue reading...
08/13/2022 - 11:43
Residents of Cranleigh faced with empty taps and low pressure as country braved another heatwave
Bottled water stations have been opened in Surrey as residents were left without water due to a technical issue on one of the hottest days of the year.
Many residents woke up to a diminished water supply or low pressure in their taps due to complications at Netley Mill water treatment works, which serves 8,500 properties in Cranleigh and surrounding villages.
Continue reading...
08/13/2022 - 09:09
Crops, power plants, barge traffic, industry and fish populations devastated by parched waterways
In places, the Loire can now be crossed on foot; France’s longest river has never flowed so slowly. The Rhine is fast becoming impassable to barge traffic. In Italy, the Po is 2 metres lower than normal, crippling crops. Serbia is dredging the Danube.
Across Europe, drought is reducing once-mighty rivers to trickles, with potentially dramatic consequences for industry, freight, energy and food production – just as supply shortages and price rises due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine bite.
Continue reading...
08/13/2022 - 05:00
Six young orca calves were separated from their mothers in 1970 and sold to marine parks. Only one is still alive at the Miami Seaquarium
Five decades ago, a group of men rounded up more than 80 orcas in a cove on Whidbey Island off Washington state. Using boats, explosives, nets and sticks, they separated young orca calves from their mothers. Locals were haunted by the whales’ human-like cries, according to an account of the day.
Six baby whales were taken away that day in Penn Cove and sold to marine parks. Most didn’t last a year in captivity. Only one who was captured and sold is still alive.
Continue reading...
08/13/2022 - 01:44
This live blog has now closed.
London Fire Brigade has called on people to avoid barbecues during the extreme weather, following a grass fire in Hayes, west London, yesterday.
It tweeted:
Firefighters tackled another grass fire in #Hayes which damaged around 400sqm of grass and shrubland, along with some boundary fencing, a chicken coop & a shed.
Remember - don’t barbecue in parks, dispose of cigarettes properly & clear away rubbish & glass.
Continue reading...
08/13/2022 - 01:00
Farmers in Auvergne despair as cows cannot be fed on grass left parched by hot summer
Traditional cheese has become the latest casualty of France’s summer drought, as production of the salers variety in the central Auvergne region was halted due to a lack of grass for cows.
Salers is an unpasteurised cow’s cheese that has been made for centuries in central France. It carries France’s appellation d’origine protégée (AOP) stamp of approval, meaning it is unique to the small area where it is produced.
Continue reading...
08/12/2022 - 18:24
Nationals leader outlines vision for party at federal council meeting. This blog is now closed
Nationals leader says party must rebuild trust with women but rejects quotas
Get our free news app, morning email briefing or daily news podcast
White whale calf seen off NSW coast
There’s one newborn hogging all the attention off the NSW coast – a southern right whale calf born whiter than usual, AAP reports:
Southern right whales are mostly very dark, although some have splashes of white called a blaze.
Its white areas will darken to grey as it ages. It’s one of around one-in-30 southern right whale calves born with brindle colouring.
Continue reading...
Explore deep-sea animals and environments as you’ve never seen before. In partnership with the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) the World Ocean Observatory (W2O) has launched a groundbreaking immersive 3D virtual aquarium exhibit! Try World Ocean Explorer FREE today at worldoceanexplorer.org/deep-sea-aquarium.html
