Breaking Waves: Ocean News

‘Landmines have become the greatest protectors’: how wildlife is thriving in the Korean DMZ

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:00:03 +0000

The demilitarised zone between North and South Korea has become an ecological oasis with nearly 6,000 species documented, including rare cranes, deer and bears

Standing on top of a small mountain, Kim Seung-ho gazes out over an expanse of paddy fields glowing in their autumn gold, the ripening grains swaying gently in the wind. In the distance, North Korea stretches beyond the horizon.

“It’s so peaceful,” says the director of the DMZ Ecology Research Institute. “Over there, it used to be an artillery range, but since they stopped firing, the nature has become so beautiful.”

Angela Rayner hit with legal challenge over datacentre on green belt land

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:00:03 +0000

Exclusive: Campaigners complain no environmental assessment made for 90MW Buckinghamshire facility

The deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, has been hit with a legal challenge after she overruled a local council to approve a hyperscale datacentre on green belt land by the M25 in Buckinghamshire.

Californians brace for worst multiday heatwave of the year

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 19:12:43 +0000

Temperatures are expected to spike with a trio of heat, thunderstorms and fire risks compounding dangers

Californians are bracing for the first major heatwave of the year, a multiday scorcher that could bring triple-digit temperatures, pose significant threats to public health and sharply heighten wildfire risks.

Hurricane Erin pounds US east coast as residents brace for ‘life-threatening’ waves

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:18:54 +0000

North Carolina anticipates the most brutal surf conditions after storm reportedly rebuilds inner eye wall

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.

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.

Police investigate sabotage claims by UK activists against ‘fossil fuel finance’

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:03:51 +0000

Shut the System says its supporters carried out actions at offices of JP Morgan Chase, Allianz and Barclaycard

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.

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.

Trump-fueled gas boom has Gulf coast communities on edge: ‘We will keep fighting’

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:00:21 +0000

Residents cite pollution, loss of fishing and diminished tax revenue as liquefied natural gas production for export accelerates

This story was originally published by Floodlight, a non-profit newsroom that investigates the powers stalling climate action

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Dramatic rise in whale and dolphin strandings in Scotland

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:17 +0000

Research shows steep increases over past 30 years, after summer of strandings across Europe

The number of marine mammals stranded in Scotland has risen dramatically in the past 30 years, a study has found.

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.

‘It has echoes of happiness’: life for gen Z in the seaside town I once called home

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:17 +0000

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

Share your experiences of living in a coastal town

Photographs by Polly Braden

Dramatic slowdown in melting of Arctic sea ice surprises scientists

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:00:17 +0000

Natural climate variation is most likely reason as global heating due to fossil fuel burning has continued

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.

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.

UK wasp numbers soar after unusually warm and dry spring

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:00:30 +0000

The scourges of picnics have arrived early and in greater numbers amid ideal conditions for colonies to thrive

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.

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.