Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Race to contain suspected bird flu outbreak among Thames Valley swans

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:01:09 +0000

Volunteer workers say increasing case numbers and dozens of dead birds raise fears spread is wider than recorded

Members of the public and charity volunteers are working to contain a suspected outbreak of bird flu among swans in the Thames Valley, amid signs that confirmed cases are continuing to rise.

Since October, 324 cases of bird flu in swans have been recorded by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha), which is sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Of these, 39 were recorded in the first four weeks of 2026 alone.

Is tyre pollution causing mass deaths in vulnerable salmon populations?

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:00:09 +0000

A US judge will decide if, as research suggests, a chemical tyre additive is harming endangered fish species

Last week, a district judge in San Francisco, California, presided over a three-day trial brought by west coast fishers and conservationists against US tyre companies. The fishers allege that a chemical additive used in tyres is polluting rivers and waterways, killing coho salmon and other fish. If successful, the case could have implications far beyond the United States.

‘Nothing is sacred to them’: the race to save rare plants as Russian troops advance

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 09:00:51 +0000

With some of Ukraine’s most valuable biodiversity sites and science facilities under occupation, experts at Sofiyivka Park in Uman are struggling to preserve the country’s natural history

Bomb cyclone brings freezing temperatures and snow to millions in US

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 22:51:54 +0000

About 150m faced cold weather advisories along eastern US, and two in North Carolina died in storm-related conditions

A bomb cyclone produced freezing temperatures across a large portion of the US from the Gulf coast to New England, bringing heavy snow to North Carolina where two were killed in storm-related conditions, and setting records in Florida, where officials warned of ice and falling iguanas.

The Guardian view on risks from biodiversity collapse: warnings must be heeded before it’s too late | Editorial

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 17:25:32 +0000

Inadequate food supplies and collapsing rainforests must be recognised as national security threats – not pigeonholed as green issues

Mexico moves to combat pollution following Guardian investigations

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 17:08:27 +0000

After stories revealed high levels of contamination in neighborhood around factory processing US toxic waste, government announces sweeping array of tactics

The Mexican government has announced it will pursue a sweeping array of tactics to combat industrial pollution, from $4.8m in fines against a plant processing US hazardous waste to the rollout of a new industrial air-monitoring system, following investigations by the Guardian and Quinto Elemento Lab, a Mexican investigative unit.

‘It sounds apocalyptic’: experts warn of impact of UK floods on birds, butterflies and dormice

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:00:27 +0000

Events such as Storm Chandra take a terrible toll on ecosystems, but nature can be part of the solution for mitigating flood waters

“The flood waters are only good for scavenger species,” says Steve Hussey, searching hard for a silver lining to last week’s deluges brought by Storm Chandra. When the waters recede, crows and ravens will feast on the carrion of hedgehogs, dormice and other small animals unable to escape the rising water, he says.

Fossil fuel firms may have to pay for climate damage under proposed UN tax

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:00:28 +0000

Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation could also force ultra-rich to pay global wealth tax

Fossil fuel companies could be forced to pay some of the price of their damage to the climate, and the ultra-rich subjected to a global wealth tax, if new tax rules are agreed under the UN.

NSW Greens to move bill to let councils better regulate berry industry as it continues rapid expansion

admin — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 19:00:07 +0000

Residents and local authorities are worried about environmental hazards and land devaluation as minister says excess regulations may hinder modern farming practices

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Australia’s best photos of the month – January 2026

admin — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 19:00:05 +0000

Bushfires, marches and a summer of sport – Guardian Australia’s best photos from around the country