Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en World on brink of climate breakthrough as fossil fuels ‘run out of road’, UN chief says https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/world-brink-climate-breakthrough-fossil-fuels-run-out-road-un-chief-says <p>António Guterres says ‘sun is rising on a clean energy age’ as 90% of renewable power projects cheaper than fossil fuels</p> <p>The world is on the brink of a breakthrough in the climate fight and fossil fuels are running out of road, the UN chief said on Tuesday, as he urged countries to funnel support into low-carbon energy.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/world-brink-climate-breakthrough-fossil-fuels-run-out-road-un-chief-says" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:40:01 +0000 admin 100719 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘Magical’: butterfly sightings across the UK this summer https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/magical-butterfly-sightings-across-uk-summer <p>Naturalists say it has been an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/18/big-butterfly-count-uk-numbers-recovery">“outstanding”</a> summer for butterflies and other flying insects after last summer’s dramatic decline. Here are some of your sightings so far this year</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/jul/22/summer-butterfly-sightings-across-the-uk-photos">Continue reading...</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:49:38 +0000 admin 100718 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Diving for the disappeared: the dangerous underwater hunt for Colombia’s missing https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/diving-disappeared-dangerous-underwater-hunt-colombia-s-missing <p>The dark waters of San Antonio estuary are thought to hide 190 bodies, killed over decades of conflict. The first state-backed search turned to local experts to try to find them</p> <p>As scuba diver Pedro Albarracín scours the muddy seabed surrounding Skull Island, opposite the Colombian port city of Buenaventura, he invokes the protection of Yemayá, goddess of the seas, and Oshun, goddess of the rivers – deities of the Yoruba faith.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/diving-disappeared-dangerous-underwater-hunt-colombia-s-missing" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:00:43 +0000 admin 100717 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘Disgraceful step backward’: USDA ends support for Black farmers, saying it ‘sufficiently’ handled discrimination https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/disgraceful-step-backward-usda-ends-support-black-farmers-saying-it-sufficiently-handl <p>Agency will no longer use ‘socially disadvantaged’, which describes people subjected to discrimination, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian groups</p> <p><em>This story was originally published by <a href="https://capitalbnews.org/usda-ends-dei-policy-black-farmers/">Capital B</a>, a nonprofit newsroom that centers Black voices.</em></p> <p>Lloyd Wright isn’t shocked that the US Department of Agriculture is reversing a 35-year-old policy meant to help Black farmers in favor of a race-neutral approach.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/disgraceful-step-backward-usda-ends-support-black-farmers-saying-it-sufficiently-handl" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 10:00:38 +0000 admin 100716 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Clearing Gaza rubble could yield 90,000 tonnes of planet-heating emissions https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/clearing-gaza-rubble-could-yield-90000-tonnes-planet-heating-emissions <p>Processing debris from Israel’s destruction of homes, schools and hospitals could take four decades</p> <p>Millions of tonnes of rubble left by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza could generate more than 90,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – and take as long as four decades to remove and process, a study has found.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/clearing-gaza-rubble-could-yield-90000-tonnes-planet-heating-emissions" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:00:50 +0000 admin 100715 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Iranians asked to limit water use as temperatures hit 50C and reservoirs are depleted https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/iranians-asked-limit-water-use-temperatures-hit-50c-and-reservoirs-are-depleted <p>Public holiday announced in Tehran as government tries to grapple with deepening water crisis</p> <p>Iranian authorities have asked people to limit water consumption amid severe heatwaves and a water crisis across the country.</p> <p>Iran is experiencing its hottest week of the year, according to the national meteorological service, with <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/20/heatwave-causes-water-shortages-in-iran-as-temps-top-50c">temperatures exceeding 50C</a> in some areas.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/iranians-asked-limit-water-use-temperatures-hit-50c-and-reservoirs-are-depleted" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 05:00:45 +0000 admin 100714 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org In Ukraine’s bombed out reservoir a huge forest has grown – is it a return to life or a toxic timebomb? https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ukraine-s-bombed-out-reservoir-huge-forest-has-grown-it-return-life-or-toxic-timebomb <p>Two years after the Nova Kakhovka dam was destroyed in Ukraine, nature has returned in abundance to the drained land in a ‘big natural experiment’ – but it could be lost as quickly as it appeared</p> <p>At the southern tip of Europe’s largest river island, the ground falls away into a vast and unexpected vista. From a high, rocky ledge on Khortytsia Island, the view opens on to a sea of swaying young willows and mirrored lagoons. Some of the trees are already many metres tall, but this is a young forest. Just a few years ago, all of it was under water.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ukraine-s-bombed-out-reservoir-huge-forest-has-grown-it-return-life-or-toxic-timebomb" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:44 +0000 admin 100713 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Senate to hold SA algal bloom inquiry as Greens warn ‘Adelaide beaches today could be Bondi tomorrow’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/senate-hold-sa-algal-bloom-inquiry-greens-warn-adelaide-beaches-today-could-be-bondi-t <p>Inquiry to look into water quality, tourism, ecosystem health, Indigenous communities, fishing, and responses of state and federal governments</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/jul/22/australia-politics-live-australia-end-gaza-war-israel-china-xi-jingping-anthony-albanese-penny-wong-mark-latham-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/senate-hold-sa-algal-bloom-inquiry-greens-warn-adelaide-beaches-today-could-be-bondi-t" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 01:46:49 +0000 admin 100712 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Texas flood protest goes to Washington: ‘No more kids lost to climate disasters’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/texas-flood-protest-goes-washington-no-more-kids-lost-climate-disasters <p>Twenty-seven trunks symbolise child flood victims: ‘They died as a result of choices – terrible and deadly choices’</p> <p>Twenty-seven blue, pink and purple trunks, adorned with yellow roses and other flowers, were placed within view of the White House on Monday – each representing a child who perished when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/18/camp-mystic-texas-flood-warning">Camp Mystic in Texas</a> was overwhelmed by a devastating flood.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/texas-flood-protest-goes-washington-no-more-kids-lost-climate-disasters" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 21 Jul 2025 21:29:09 +0000 admin 100711 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘Broken’ water industry in England and Wales faces tighter controls under new watchdog https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/broken-water-industry-england-and-wales-faces-tighter-controls-under-new-watchdog <p>Ofwat abolished as ministers adopt Cunliffe review ideas such as sewage map naming and shaming firms</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2025/jul/21/jon-cunliffe-review-reforms-water-england-wales-ofwat">Nils Pratley: Cunliffe’s reforms should have happened 20 years ago</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/21/water-review-england-wales-ofwat-smart-meters">Water review in England and Wales: seven key takeaways</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/broken-water-industry-england-and-wales-faces-tighter-controls-under-new-watchdog" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 21 Jul 2025 18:24:59 +0000 admin 100709 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org