Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Climate and rock art advocates take on Woodside’s ‘carbon bomb’ WA gas project in federal court

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:18:09 +0000

Albanese government’s approval of North West Shelf gas extension being challenged by the Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of Australian Rock Art

The Albanese government’s decision to approve one of the world’s largest gas projects in Western Australia is being challenged in the federal court, setting up a significant test of how Australia’s environment law deals with the climate crisis.

Almost 90 football fields of woody habitat were bulldozed every day in NSW – despite pledges to rein it in

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:09:45 +0000

Decline in clearing of trees and shrubs offset by sharp jump in clearing of non-woody vegetation

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Not enough water for UK’s datacentre plans, trade body says

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:00:09 +0000

Industry says government’s failure to address cooling demands means AI growth plans are ‘fatally flawed’

The UK will not have enough water for future datacentres, the water industry has said in stark criticism of the government’s AI growth plans.

Datacentres rely on large amounts of water to manage the heat generated by densely packed servers. Cooling towers, chillers and humidification systems make direct use of this water, with large volumes also consumed indirectly through high electrical power needs.

Slowdown in Arctic ice melt ends after largest winter decline on record

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:00:48 +0000

Scientists recorded slower reduction over past 20 years, but study finds this was ‘temporary rather than sustained’

A previously recorded slowdown in Arctic sea ice decline has ended, according to a new study, with the largest year-to-year wintertime reduction ever recorded.

Afghanistan floods kill at least 20 people, with more than 100 missing

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:31:06 +0000

National disaster agency confirms ‘severe financial and human losses’ in remote province of Nuristan

At least 20 people have been killed and more than 80 injured in flooding that hit Afghanistan’s Nuristan province, the country’s disaster management agency said on Monday.

In Parun, the provincial capital, a further 105 people including the mayor were missing, said Feraidon Samim, a spokesperson for the Nuristan governor.

Tropical Storm Bertha heads for land as Hurricane Fausto forms in eastern Pacific

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:55:04 +0000

Bertha could bring heavy rain on US Gulf coast, with its center located 110 miles south of Panama City, Florida

Tropical Storm Bertha formed Monday evening in the Gulf of Mexico south of the Florida Panhandle as it drifts erratically toward populated coastal areas, bringing a threat of heavy rain, storm surge and damaging wind gusts.

Meanwhile, in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Fausto formed far from Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and posed no threat to land Monday night.

Australian ski resorts smash July climate records with temperatures 12C above average

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:00:45 +0000

Resorts in New South Wales and Victoria face a warm and dry start to the season with only sporadic falls of natural snow in many alpine areas

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Big Bear’s missing bald eagle believed to have been found alive but injured

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:36:39 +0000

Bald eagle found hurt in California after fight with other birds, says group, as eagle called Jackie not seen on cameras

‘A public health emergency waiting to occur’: how US industry groups spent years fighting who gets to measure toxic air

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:00:43 +0000

Air polluters try to ensure toxic emissions happen far from monitors – but the people who live nearby still feel it

Kimbrelle Kyereh lives just a few hundred feet from the massive chemical storage tanks in St Rose, in south-eastern Louisiana. Oily fumes sometimes drift into her home, bringing headaches, nausea and insomnia. On one such night, she grabbed her son at 3am and fled to an all-night Ihop.

‘My shirt was wringing’: National Express bus drivers speak out on 40C conditions

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:51:42 +0000

Drivers in West Midlands say buses ‘unbearable’ during heatwaves, raising employee and passenger safety fears

Bus drivers in the West Midlands have spoken out about the “horrendous” working conditions they have experienced during heatwaves, which led to 40C temperatures in their cabs.