Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Europe burns: a visual guide to the wildfires

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:00:15 +0000

Ferocious flames continue to rage in parts of France and Spain, with no sign of abating. We chart the destruction in graphics and pictures

The hellish infernos that have torn through parts of France and Spain have caused deaths, the evacuation of 330,000 people from their homes, widespread destruction and clouds of toxic smoke. Records have already been smashed and with the fourth heatwave of the European summer setting in, there are few signs of the waves of wildfires ending.

Fifteen elephant deaths at Kenya park may be due to cyanide poisoning

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:46:50 +0000

Analysis of samples collected from carcasses found traces of toxic chemical compound, says Kenya Wildlife Service

The recent deaths of 15 elephants near a park in southern Kenya in the past month were most likely caused by the animals ingesting pesticides used on nearby tomato farms, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has said.

Families to be moved out of billionaire-owned tower after suffering without air con

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:39:45 +0000

Several councils to stop housing tenants in glass-fronted Britannia Point in London, where tenants were earlier told they could not use air con

Europe is burning – and if Trump’s war on the climate is not met with sanctions, things will only get worse | Alexander Hurst

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:00:12 +0000

The White House seems committed to ecocide. The EU should harness the power of the single market to force it to change course

Are we understanding it yet? As Europe burns in the west, the south and the north, are we grasping the fact that our economies, food systems, political stability and even our ability to plan for the future, will all be charred in a world on fire?

England on track for record heat-related deaths this summer, official data shows

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:39:31 +0000

UKHSA estimates 2,877 fatalities during heatwaves in May and June, almost twice that recorded in 2025 season

England is on track to record its highest ever number of heat-related deaths this summer after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that an estimated 2,877 people had died in the May and June heatwaves.

The record was set in 2022 with 2,985 deaths, and August, traditionally the hottest month, is yet to arrive. The health secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones as a result of the long and intense heatwaves.”

Holiday park evacuated as 90 firefighters tackle Suffolk heath wildfire

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:01:32 +0000

Major incident declared, Sizewell B power station closely monitoring blaze and RSPB nature reserve closed to visitors

A holiday park with about 200 caravans has been evacuated after a wildfire broke out on the Suffolk coast, and the nearby Sizewell B nuclear power station has said it is closely monitoring the blaze.

A major incident has been declared as firefighters battle a large heathland fire at Dunwich Heath near Leiston, about 3 miles from Sizewell B.

‘Grey lump with orange wings’: hummingbird hawk-moths descend on UK gardens

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:00:01 +0000

Boom in migrating moth sightings put down to hot weather, strong winds and food scarcity in Europe

He had just sat down to dinner in the garden when a speedy visitor whizzed by – a “grey lump with orange wings”, recalled Luke Burstow, from Sussex. It was a hummingbird hawk-moth, a flying insect that migrates to the UK from continental Europe and north Africa.

“I was like: ‘Wow!’,” said the software project manager. “I didn’t even know they existed.”

‘It’s irreplaceable’: Fury over Reform plans to expand quarry in ancient Kent woodland

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:54 +0000

Forty hectares of Oaken Wood could be razed after it was identified as potential site of expansion by Reform-run council

It was at the confluence of seven forest paths that Allison Sweetman came to a stop. Trees rose on all sides, save for a recently coppiced section to the north-east. The noon heat had silenced most birds, but the quiet was peaceful.

Blue SIA: the case for social impact assessment in the blue economy

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 30 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s44183-026-00235-9

Blue SIA: the case for social impact assessment in the blue economy

‘Extremely effective’ organised campaigns against wind and solar undermining support for renewable energy

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:00:36 +0000

Clean Energy Council calls for a national, legislated scheme to funnel benefits of hosting renewables projects back to local councils