Breaking Waves: Ocean News

UK approves Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:15:06 +0000

Decision was widely expected after lobbying by Shell but will dismay environmental campaigners

The UK government has approved the controversial Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea, a widely expected move that will nonetheless dismay environmental campaigners and a number of Labour MPs.

While Labour’s 2024 election manifesto committed to a ban on new drilling licences in the North Sea, the companies behind Jackdaw and the Rosebank oilfield project, which is being decided on separately, have sought environmental approval for existing licences.

This Norwegian village is one of the fastest-warming places on Earth. How can its people save it?

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:00:04 +0000

As glaciers melt and permafrost thaws, Longyearbyen, on the remote Arctic islands of Svalbard, faces climate-induced problems from tap water to housebuilding to landslides

• Heavy metals make Norwegian village’s tap water toxic

World must cut emissions by 18% in four years ‘to find our way back’, UN says

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:04 +0000

Action needed to avoid disastrous overshoot of climate targets, according to organisation’s environment body

The world needs to cut carbon emissions by nearly a fifth in the next four years, and by close to half within a decade, to avoid overshooting climate targets by a disastrous margin.

Firefighters voice growing concerns over water supplies to tackle UK wildfires

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 04:00:05 +0000

During a summer fire that destroyed homes in Stourbridge, low pressure meant filling a water carrier took 40 minutes

Concerns have been raised about how drought affects the UK’s ability to cope with wildfires after MPs were told firefighters struggled for water supplies during this year’s record summer.

The government has been urged to set out water companies’ statutory responsibilities during major fire incidents to improve the country’s preparedness for the years ahead.

Andy Burnham faces climate revolt after approval of North Sea gas drilling

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:24:46 +0000

Jackdaw gasfield announcement signals UK’s commitment to North Sea industry but undermines green credentials

What does the approval of the Jackdaw gasfield mean?

The Jackdaw gasfield will be given the go-ahead on Wednesday, signalling Andy Burnham’s commitment to the North Sea fossil fuel industry and threatening to trigger a row with climate campaigners and Labour MPs.

Great white shark leaps from water and photobombs California beachgoers

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 16:45:59 +0000

Videos show shark launching several feet from water as a group of friends pose for photos along Marina state beach

A great white shark put on a spectacular display for California beachgoers over the weekend, leaping from the water off Marina state beach and photobombing visitors.

Videos circulating online show a great white shark launching several feet out of the water in the background as a group of friends pose for photos along the beach.

Trendy LA neighborhood’s war over wild coyote erupts after child attacked

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 16:00:39 +0000

Coyote euthanized after reportedly roaming Atwater Village comfortably for months and attacking one-year-old boy

One Los Angeles neighborhood has been at war over a wild coyote, and over the weekend it all came to a head.

Whale in Wales: amateur photographer captures stunning footage - video

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 13:51:52 +0000

Amateur wildlife photographer Rhys Morgan has caught extraordinary footage of one of the largest whale species on Earth.

While sailing off the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales, Morgan and his friends spotted the blowholes of a fin whale in the distance, recognisable by the hooked fin near its tail, a dark grey upper body, white belly, and an asymmetrical jaw that is dark on the left and white on the right.

People who have enjoyed the video online are trying to raise awareness of fin whales being hunted in Iceland and calling on government ministers to take action

Hurricane warning maps are improving, but a dangerous problem remains

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:49:51 +0000

A new study reveals that improved hurricane forecast graphics may help people identify threatened areas without making them more likely to recognize the danger or take protective action. Researchers also found that a widespread misunderstanding of the hurricane cone persists, highlighting a potentially dangerous gap between accurate forecasts and public preparedness.

Giving £2 a day to people in the Amazon helps protect rainforest, pilot project finds

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:36 +0000

Researchers say almost 90% of participants in unconditional basic income scheme in Peru adopted environmentally beneficial practices

A pioneering project to provide Indigenous people in the Peruvian Amazon with an unconditional basic income has contributed to the protection of the rainforest, according to a study.