Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Met Office: 2026 will bring heat more than 1.4C above preindustrial levels

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:01:20 +0000

Forecast is slightly cooler than the record 1.55C reached in 2024, but 2026 set to be among four hottest years since 1850

Next year will bring heat more than 1.4C above preindustrial levels, meteorologists project, as fossil fuel pollution continues to bake the Earth and fuel extreme weather.

The UK Met Office’s central forecast is slightly cooler than the 1.55C reached in 2024, the warmest year on record, but 2026 is set to be among the four hottest years dating back to 1850.

Washington state flooding damage profound but unclear, governor warns

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:17 +0000

Record rains have forced hundreds of rescues, swamped communities and left rivers high, with more storms forecast

The extent of the damage in Washington state is profound but unclear after more than a week of heavy rains and record flooding, according to the state’s governor, Bob Ferguson.

Trump administration to dismantle key climate research center in Colorado

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:59:03 +0000

Governor Jared Polis warned that breaking up Boulder’s NCAR would put ‘public safety at risk’

The Trump administration is breaking up a research center praised as a “crown jewel” of climate research after accusing it of spreading “alarmism” about climate change.

Russell Vought, the director of the White House’s office and management budget, said the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, would be dismantled under the supervision of the National Science Foundation.

‘Everything is worse since Drax came here’: US residents say wood-pellet plant harming their town

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:00:10 +0000

Residents of Gloster, Mississippi, are suing plant that exports wood pellets to UK and Europe. Company says it is reducing emissions

These migrants grow the US’s Christmas trees. Trump’s wage cuts may keep them away

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:00:11 +0000

Legal temporary farm workers also worry about the H-2A visa program and Trump’s anti-immigration regime

This article is a collaboration between the Guardian and Enlace Latino NC, an independent bilingual publication. Read this article in Spanish.

Greek tragedy: the rare seals hiding in caves to escape tourists

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:00:06 +0000

Greece is hoping that protected areas will help keep daytrippers away and allow vulnerable monk seals to return to their island habitats

Deep in a sea cave in Greece’s northern Sporades, a bulky shape moves in the gloom. Someone on the boat bobbing at a distance offshore passes round a pair of binoculars and yes! – there it is. It’s a huge Mediterranean monk seal, one of the world’s rarest marine mammals , which at up to 2.8 metres and over 300kg (660lbs), is also one of the world’s largest types of seal.

UK to bring forward review of EV sales targets from 2027 to next year

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:41:22 +0000

Ministers hint at further relaxation of zero emission mandate but say will not follow EU over 2035 petrol cars ban

The UK is to bring forward its review of electric vehicle sales targets from 2027 to next year, as the government said it would listen to the concerns of the car industry.

Christmas dinner and festive treats up to 70% more expensive, reports Which?

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:00:25 +0000

Price of turkey jumps as much as £15 compared with 2024, while chocolate has steepest mark-up

Shoppers are paying up to 70% more for Christmas chocolate treats compared with last year, while the price of a turkey has jumped by as much as £15, according to the consumer champion Which?

The group analysed a range of ingredients for a typical Christmas dinner, as well as other typical festive treats including mince pies, sparkling wine and chocolates.

‘Magical’ galaxy frogs disappear after reports of photographers destroying their habitats

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:27 +0000

Researcher in Kerala rainforest sounds alarm after being told frogs had died after being handled by humans

A group of endangered “galaxy frogs” are missing, presumed dead, after trespassing photographers reportedly destroyed their microhabitats for photos.

40 priority questions to advance understanding of the risks and opportunities of UK marine heatwaves

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 17 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s44183-025-00171-0

40 priority questions to advance understanding of the risks and opportunities of UK marine heatwaves