Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves en ‘A different set of rules’: thermal drone footage shows Musk’s AI power plant flouting clean air regulations https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/different-set-rules-thermal-drone-footage-shows-musk-s-ai-power-plant-flouting-clean-a <p>Images confirm xAI is continuing to defy EPA regulations in Mississippi to power its flagship datacenters</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/different-set-rules-thermal-drone-footage-shows-musk-s-ai-power-plant-flouting-clean-a" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:00:15 +0000 admin 102616 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Showdown in the American west as Colorado River faces crucial deadline: ‘Mother nature isn’t going to bail us out’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/showdown-american-west-colorado-river-faces-crucial-deadline-mother-nature-isn-t-going <p>Seven states must make deal for sharing basin that supplies 40 million people, before US government steps in. With negotiations at an impasse, what’s at stake?</p> <p>The future of the American west hangs in balance this week, as seven states remained at a stalemate over who should bear the brunt of the enormous water cuts needed to pull the imperiled Colorado River back from the brink. Time is running short to reach a deal before a critical deadline, set for Saturday.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/showdown-american-west-colorado-river-faces-crucial-deadline-mother-nature-isn-t-going" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:11:56 +0000 admin 102615 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Enforcement of laws against polluters nearly non-existent in US, analysis finds https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/enforcement-laws-against-polluters-nearly-non-existent-us-analysis-finds <p>EPA’s records show one environmental consent decree filed in last year – 26 were filed in year one of first Trump term</p> <p>Enforcement of environmental laws against major polluters has virtually ground to a halt under the Trump administration, <a href="https://peer.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PEER-Enforcement-Report-Narrative-FINAL.pdf">a new analysis of Environmental Protection Agency records</a> from January 2025 to January 2026 shows.</p> <p>Major polluters typically include companies that are among the largest in the oil, gas, coal and chemical industries.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/enforcement-laws-against-polluters-nearly-non-existent-us-analysis-finds" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:00:25 +0000 admin 102613 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Heathrow isn’t crowded, it’s travellers walking on the wrong side, boss says https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/heathrow-isn-t-crowded-it-s-travellers-walking-wrong-side-boss-says <p>Thomas Woldbye says part of airport’s problem is UK passengers walk on the left while others walk on the right</p> <p>Heathrow airport has revealed a crowding problem that a third runway cannot solve: British and foreign travellers walk on different sides, and keep colliding, according to its chief executive.</p> <p>Thomas Woldbye said that while Heathrow serviced more passengers in a smaller overall area than comparable European hubs, part of the London airport’s trouble was the differing continental sense of direction.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/heathrow-isn-t-crowded-it-s-travellers-walking-wrong-side-boss-says" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:50:00 +0000 admin 102614 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Week in wildlife: a thirsty raccoon, a superhero squid and a delinquent swan https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/week-wildlife-thirsty-raccoon-superhero-squid-and-delinquent-swan <p><strong>This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world</strong></p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2026/feb/13/week-in-wildlife-a-thirsty-raccoon-a-superhero-squid-and-a-delinquent-swan">Continue reading...</a></p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:00:38 +0000 admin 102612 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org River Thames spot among 13 sites shortlisted for swimming status https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/river-thames-spot-among-13-sites-shortlisted-swimming-status <p>Choice could prove difficult for Thames Water, which is trying to push through a water recycling scheme nearby</p> <p>The first designated bathing water area on the River Thames in London has been shortlisted as one of 13 new monitored swimming areas across the country.</p> <p>The Thames at Ham, in south-west London, was shortlisted as a new river bathing water after campaigners gathered evidence to show thousands of people use the river for swimming throughout the year.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/river-thames-spot-among-13-sites-shortlisted-swimming-status" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:00:37 +0000 admin 102611 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘We are hopeful’: small signs of recovery for Scotland’s rare capercaillie bird https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/we-are-hopeful-small-signs-recovery-scotland-s-rare-capercaillie-bird <p>Number of males at RSPB Abernethy rises to 30, after ‘huge amount of work’ by conservationists in Highlands forests</p> <p>After decades of decline, there are signs of hope for the capercaillie, one of Britain’s most endangered birds.</p> <p>Populations of the charismatic grouse, which in the UK is found only in the Caledonian pine forests of the Scottish Highlands, have increased by 50%, from 20 males in 2020 to 30 in 2025 at RSPB Abernethy.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/13/small-signs-of-recovery-scotland-rare-capercaillie-bird">Continue reading...</a></p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:37 +0000 admin 102610 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat inside its economic zone amid Beijing rift https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/japan-seizes-chinese-fishing-boat-inside-its-economic-zone-amid-beijing-rift <p>Japan says vessel failed to comply with order to stop, with incident coming weeks after row with China over Taiwan</p> <p>Authorities in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/japan">Japan</a> have seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its captain in a move that is likely to inflame an ongoing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/17/china-and-japan-are-in-a-war-of-words-over-taiwan-what-happens-next">diplomatic row</a> between Tokyo and Beijing.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/japan-seizes-chinese-fishing-boat-inside-its-economic-zone-amid-beijing-rift" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:19:57 +0000 admin 102609 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Tony Blair’s thinktank accuses Ed Miliband of driving up energy prices https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/tony-blair-s-thinktank-accuses-ed-miliband-driving-energy-prices <p>Report by Tony Blair Institute urges government to drop some green policies amid criticism of decarbonisation goal</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/13/tony-blair-oil-lobbying-fossil-fuel-industry-renewables-energy-bills">Analysis: Blair’s oil lobbying is a misleading rehash of fossil fuel industry spin</a></p> </li> </ul> <p>Tony Blair’s thinktank has accused Ed Miliband of driving up energy prices in his push to make Britain’s energy supply more environmentally friendly.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/tony-blair-s-thinktank-accuses-ed-miliband-driving-energy-prices" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:01:30 +0000 admin 102608 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Trump’s EPA repeals landmark climate finding in gift to ‘billionaire polluters’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/trump-s-epa-repeals-landmark-climate-finding-gift-billionaire-polluters <p>Rollback of government’s ability to limit climate-heating pollution will make families ‘sicker and less safe’, environmental advocate says</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Trump administration</a> has revoked the bedrock scientific determination that gives the government the ability to regulate climate-heating pollution. The move was described as a gift to “billionaire polluters” at the expense of Americans’ health.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/trump-s-epa-repeals-landmark-climate-finding-gift-billionaire-polluters" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:03:25 +0000 admin 102606 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org