Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Migrating swifts loyally return every year to nests in buildings, study finds

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 05:00:10 +0000

Conservationists emphasise importance of protecting nesting sites used by ‘strongly faithful’ red-listed species

Migratory swifts loyally return every year to their nests in buildings, according to a study, underlining the importance of providing the endangered birds with hollow nesting bricks if traditional nest sites are lost to renovations.

Too hot for work: why extreme heat is a threat to Europe’s productivity

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 05:00:08 +0000

High temperatures make some workplaces dangerous, with economists warning disruption will dent growth

Monique Mosley is used to sweltering conditions at the food factory in Yorkshire where she works, but June’s record-breaking heatwave has made conditions unbearable. “We make hot filled food products and it’s common that we see temperatures in the high 30s,” she said. “Thanks to our union, our employer is offering extra breaks, but not every workplace is the same.”

European heatwave is worst ever and impossible without climate crisis, scientists say

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:00:09 +0000

Study also finds high humidity means people in hundreds of cities are enduring their worst ever heat stress

The heatwave scorching western Europe is the most severe and widespread ever and is only possible due to the climate crisis driven by fossil fuel burning, scientists have said.

Almost half of Europe’s 850 largest cities are also enduring their worst ever heat stress, a combination of temperature and humidity, they found. Muggier conditions mean sweating is less effective at cooling the body, making heatwaves even more dangerous.

‘Kind of miracle solution’: How Paris is harnessing the Seine to replace air-con

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:00:08 +0000

City plans to triple system of underground pipes that distribute chilled river water, reducing need for individual cooling units

As heatwaves intensify across Europe, most cities are reaching for a familiar fix of more air conditioning. But in 1990s Paris, planning began for a different kind of solution: one of the world’s largest district cooling networks.

Tarmac playgrounds and windows that don’t open: why hot spells turn our schools into heat traps | Harry Paticas

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:09:23 +0000

Our schools are a dated mix of single glazing, dodgy pipes and atriums like Kew hothouses. They urgently need retrofitting for a changing climate

This week’s soaring summer temperatures have put a spotlight on our schools and their ability to cope, with one in Hertfordshire telling me that it recorded temperatures of more than 40C. So why are our schools struggling?

Ben Jennings on a new idea for ‘carbon capture’ – cartoon

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:54:37 +0000

US supreme court blocks thousands of lawsuits over Roundup maker’s pesticide warning labels

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:50:23 +0000

The case, Monsanto v Durnell, specifically dealt with claims that the company failed to warn users of product risks

US politics live – latest updates

Polanski and unions warn Burnham against backsliding on climate action

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:44:59 +0000

Debate in Labour and union movement over climate commitments as many call for Burnham not to allow drilling in North Sea

Analysis: ‘Act on the evidence outside the window’: Andy Burnham urged to stick to net zero targets if he becomes PM

Backsliding on climate action would drive the Labour party into political obscurity, Zack Polanski has warned, as trade union leaders said more drilling in the North Sea would not help UK workers.

‘Act on the evidence outside the window’: Andy Burnham urged to stick to net zero targets if he becomes PM

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:26:15 +0000

Burnham is coming under pressure from some to ditch net zero targets but this could be highly damaging on many levels

UK politics live – latest updates

UK records its hottest ever June day as health emergencies surge across Europe

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:31:11 +0000

Temperatures linked to third child’s death in France, where three-quarters of country are under extreme heat alert

Europe live – latest updates

The UK recorded its hottest ever June temperature on Thursday, as brutally hot conditions supercharged by the climate crisis were linked to the death of a third toddler in France and a sharp rise in medical emergencies across Europe.