Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Solar energy helps US farms stay afloat – but Republicans’ bill could change that

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:00:55 +0000

Installing solar panels to offset electricity costs helps farms during financial strain. But the House version of the farm bill would limit their use

Twelve years ago, George Hunt needed a new roof on his cow barn in Orange, Massachusetts. Solar was “hot” back then, Hunt said, thanks to federal and state commitments to increase renewable energy supplies.

Conservationists alarmed by drastic cuts to key UK fund for global nature protection

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 14:02:17 +0000

Conservation groups warn slashing Darwin Initiative will put species and habitats in jeopardy, and set back efforts to halt decline in nature

One of the UK’s longest-standing funds for global nature protection is being drastically cut back, the Guardian has learned.

Week in wildlife: a baby pangolin, a gorilla super-mum and Formula One geese

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 08:01:37 +0000

This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world

Air conditioning: the wealthy and well can afford it, but disabled people who need it most can't | Frances Ryan

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 07:00:43 +0000

It is a short-term fix, but AC is an essential tool for many for whom the heat can be harmful, and even life-threatening

I used to love a heatwave. I was the sort of British person who acted like I was in the Mediterranean if the sun was slightly visible, coercing friends to take the outside restaurant table and eagerly working in the garden until my MacBook started to overheat rather than my internal organs. That was until I developed post-viral fatigue from the flu nine years ago.

Global heating is making hajj ever more dangerous, report finds

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 23:01:34 +0000

Rising heat in Saudi Arabia threatens millions of Muslim pilgrims – but cutting fossil fuels would keep it safer

Global heating has “fundamentally altered” the climate of Mecca and is exposing millions of hajj pilgrims to extreme and dangerous heat even in months outside summer, new analysis has found.

Enfield council withdraws from government’s new towns programme

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:47:13 +0000

London authority’s new Tory-led administration delivers significant blow to Labour’s flagship housebuilding scheme

Enfield council in north London has withdrawn from the government’s new towns programme, in a significant blow to Labour’s flagship housebuilding scheme.

The Guardian view on energy shocks: winter is coming – and Labour needs a plan | Editorial

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:44:07 +0000

Clean power remains essential. But until it arrives, Britain must stop LNG made scarce by the Iran war setting gas and electricity prices

The US-Israel war on Iran will drive household energy costs in Britain to their highest level in two years over the summer. This has given fresh impetus to calls for the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, to change course. The cabinet minister is vulnerable because he promised cheaper bills if Britain embraced his clean, green power plan.

‘They’re a private company, run for profit!’: fury in Kent at South East Water’s outages

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:01:53 +0000

Water company blames increased demand in extreme heat, but customers want answers about lack of storage reservoirs

“Spitting, fuming, angry and powerless” is how Pat Prestage describes her emotions after a water outage that has affected thousands of homes in Kent during the heatwave.

Should I get air conditioning in the UK – and can it be green?

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:58:55 +0000

As summers become hotter, air conditioner sales are booming. If you’re looking to invest, here’s what to consider

When a heatwave struck the UK this week, Jon Connorton, a software developer, began monitoring temperatures inside his east Hampshire terrace house. With some rooms reaching close to 40C, it was time to deploy the air conditioner. “We just wheel it out in emergencies,” he said. “We were having trouble sleeping.”

Water-related deaths rise to 11 amid UK heatwave

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:53:56 +0000

Bodies of two teenagers recovered by emergency workers following separate incidents in Kent and Oxford

The number of water-related deaths during the UK’s recent heatwave has risen to 11 after the bodies of two teenage boys were recovered in Kent and Oxford.

Emergency workers recovered the body of a 14-year-old boy from the River Thames near Donnington Bridge, Oxford, at about 5.30pm on Wednesday. Thames Valley police said the boy’s family had been informed and that his death was being treated as “unexplained but not suspicious”.