Breaking Waves: Ocean News

A bid to clean up shipping industry intensified a coral bleaching event on Great Barrier Reef, study says

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:00:53 +0000

The removal of sulphur from shipping fuels caused ‘a lot of extra sunlight’ to get through atmosphere and hit reef in 2022

Steps to clean up the shipping industry by removing sulphur from fuels intensified a major coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef by allowing more of the sun’s energy to hit the oceanic wonder, according to a new study.

Blind, slow and 500 years old – or are they? How scientists are unravelling the secrets of Greenland sharks

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:00:43 +0000

Described by one researcher as looking ‘already dead’, the enigmatic creatures are one of the least understood species on the planet

It looks more like a worn sock than a fearsome predator. It moves slower than an escalator. By most accounts, it is a clumsy and near-sightless relic drifting in the twilight waters of the Arctic, lazily searching for food scraps.

But the Greenland shark, an animal one researcher (lovingly) said, “looks like it’s already dead”, is also one of the least understood, biologically enigmatic species on the planet.

Half the world’s 100 largest cities are in high water stress areas, analysis finds

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:00:03 +0000

Exclusive: Beijing, Delhi, Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro among worst affected, with demand close to exceeding supply

Half the world’s 100 largest cities are experiencing high levels of water stress, with 39 of these sitting in regions of “extremely high water stress”, new analysis and mapping has shown.

Water stress means that water withdrawals for public water supply and industry are close to exceeding available supplies, often caused by poor management of water resources exacerbated by climate breakdown.

Schools, airports, high-rise towers: architects urged to get ‘bamboo-ready’

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:00:03 +0000

Manual for building design aims to encourage low-carbon construction as alternative to steel and concrete

An airport made of bamboo? A tower reaching 20 metres high? For many years, bamboo has been mostly known as the favourite food of giant pandas, but a group of engineers say it’s time we took it seriously as a building material, too.

What happens when the taps run dry? England is about to find out | Aditya Chakrabortty

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:00:02 +0000

It’s not just Tunbridge Wells – a country famous around the world for its rain is in danger of self-imposed drought

You get up and go to the loo, only to find the flush doesn’t work. You try the shower, except nothing comes out. You want a glass of water, but on turning the tap there is not a drop. Your day stumbles on, stripped of its essentials: no washing hands, no cleaning up the baby, neither tea nor coffee, no easy way to do the dishes or the laundry. Dirt accumulates; tempers fray.

Green spaces should be the norm for all new housing developments in England, guidelines say

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:23:29 +0000

Experts say big flaw is the lack of mandatory requirements, meaning developers could ignore the guidance

Housing where shops, schools, public transport and possibly pubs are close by, with green spaces and access to nature, and where heritage is preserved, should be the norm for all new developments, according to guidelines set out by the government.

Scientific rigour and the dangers of microplastics | Letters

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 17:49:34 +0000

Joe Yates, Prof Philip J Landrigan, Prof Jennifer Kirwan and Prof Jamie Davies respond to an article on doubts raised about studies on microplastics in the human body

Snow, ice and subzero temperatures to sweep across US this weekend

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 17:34:34 +0000

The storm will stretch 2,000 miles from south-west to east, disrupting travel and threatening power outages

A vast winter storm is set to descend across much of the US starting on Friday, sweeping snow, ice and brutal cold across nearly 2,000 miles from the south-west to the east coast and affecting more than 200 million people.

The system is expected to disrupt travel, bring down trees and power lines, and create the risk of prolonged power outages, followed by dangerously cold air.

Sydney Water blames food outlets for illegally adding to fatberg. But restaurants say ‘if it’s a problem, it’s their problem’

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:00:38 +0000

Huge spike in fats, oils and grease going to Malabar treatment plant follows 2017 changes to reporting regime and reduced inspections, critics say

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Why are British people so obsessed with bins? | Polly Hudson

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:36 +0000

Our nation’s fascination with rubbish knows no bounds – as was proved by one recent online debate