Breaking Waves: Ocean News

The Guardian view on drought: hot, dry conditions make inequality starker | Editorial

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 16:30:25 +0000

Water is a vital shared resource, and privatisation has made a just transition harder

Britain could face food shortages as drought continues, farmers warn

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:54:05 +0000

Farmers battle to salvage what they can of their crops as heatwave set to continue

Britain could face shortages of certain foods after punishing drought in parts of England, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned as a heatwave was forecast to continue into next week.

The UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health alerts for eight regions of England, with temperatures set to rise above 30C in parts of the country. UKHSA said rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Two helicopters collide outside Athens as Greece battles to control wildfires

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 13:52:53 +0000

Fire department says two-person crew of one aircraft killed in incident during gale-force winds to west of capital

Two firefighting helicopters have collided west of Athens, killing the two-person crew of one of the aircraft, as efforts to control a massive wildfire barrelling towards the outskirts of the Greek capital intensified.

Footage showed one of the helicopters losing control in the face of gale-force winds that have pushed flames towards settlements on Athens’ western fringes.

‘There’s no nurdle fairy’: thousands mobilise to clean up plastic spillage in north-east England

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 13:00:23 +0000

Volunteers painstakingly gather plastic pellets washing up on beaches after ship collision on 19 July

‘You’ve got a local community that really cares about the coastline,” said Alice Laverty, reflecting on the huge army of volunteers who had taken to crisis-hit beaches in north-east England with passion and only the most basic tools. “They’ve all got a dustpan, a brush, a bucket, a kitchen sieve.”

Struggling to get through summer? Treat yourself like a beloved dog – and six other survival tips | Emma Beddington

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 13:00:22 +0000

August usually sends me into an anxious funk, but I think I’ve worked out how to handle 2026’s terrifying heat and apocalyptic images

‘I have an understanding housemate’: the student who makes videos of fungus on faeces

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 08:00:15 +0000

Alfred Drummond-Herdman’s extraordinary timelapses have been viewed by millions – and led him to identify new species

Alfred Drummond-Herdman is possibly the only person in the UK who is sent animal faeces in the post out of goodwill. His bedroom in Edinburgh is full of the stuff: clothes have been removed from his wardrobe and cupboards, replaced with terrariums and plastic containers housing sections of cowpats, grouse droppings and rabbit pellets.

“I have a very understanding housemate,” he says.

‘We cannot magic up more water’: the supply problems putting housing targets in England at risk

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 06:00:14 +0000

Council leaders say crumbling infrastructure and lack of water are jeopardising government’s plans for new homes

The government’s housebuilding agenda is hitting the stark reality of a lack of water and crumbling infrastructure across the east and south-east of England.

A call to action to support and safeguard ocean defenders

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000

npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 02 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s44183-026-00233-x

A call to action to support and safeguard ocean defenders

Heatwave scorching western US ups risk of hazardous fire conditions

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:39:52 +0000

In Oregon and Washington, low humidity and powerful winds have put officials on alert for wildfire spread

A heatwave scorching the western US region has elevated the risk of hazardous fire conditions particularly in parts of Oregon and Washington, where low humidity and powerful winds have put officials on alert for wildfire spread.

The National Weather Service has forecast blistering temperatures through early next week that could climb from 110F to 120F across the south-west. In the Pacific north-west, highs reaching into the 90s are expected in the days to come.

The case for a blatantly discriminatory Australian voting system

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 20:00:03 +0000

Older Australians are overrepresented in every sphere of life, from politics to the economy and media … and they’re living longer. It’s time we stack the deck in favour of young people. Here’s how

As someone nearing 60, I can confidently say my generation, and older generations, have been very good at tilting the policy playing field in our favour. Our political and economic system is very good at prioritising the views of older people. So maybe it’s time to tilt the electoral system back in the other direction, in favour of younger voters.