Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/index.php en ‘Living in survival mode’: Houston’s embattled immigrant community faces health, climate and petrochemical crises https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/living-survival-mode-houston-s-embattled-immigrant-community-faces-health-climate-and- <p>Amid immigration raids, chemical spills, massive floods and costly healthcare, less-affluent residents of one of the most diverse US cities struggle to pull through</p> <p>Cándido Álvarez has made it his policy never to go to the doctor.</p> <p>“Not when I’m sick, not even when it’s serious,” he said. “I prefer not to go.”</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/02/houston-texas-immigrants-ice-health-extreme-weather">Continue reading...</a></p> Sat, 02 May 2026 12:00:25 +0000 admin 103207 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Rescuers release humpback whale that was stranded off German coast https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/rescuers-release-humpback-whale-was-stranded-german-coast <p>Calf was transported by water-filled barge in operation deemed ‘inadvisable’ because of low chance of survival</p> <p>Rescuers have released a young humpback whale that became a national sensation after it was beached in shallow waters off the coast in Germany, although marine experts have said its chances of survival are low.</p> <p>The whale, variously nicknamed Timmy or Hope, was released into the North Sea off Denmark after being transported there in a water-filled barge by rescuers.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/rescuers-release-humpback-whale-was-stranded-german-coast" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 02 May 2026 11:38:52 +0000 admin 103208 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org To give young people wings: The Lost Words duo reunite for book of birds https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/give-young-people-wings-lost-words-duo-reunite-book-birds <p>Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane give the Guardian exclusive extracts as they aim to open eyes to the wonder of Britain’s declining and endangered species</p> <p>When the artist Jackie Morris collaborated with the writer Robert Macfarlane to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/18/dewilded-dictionary-conkers-adders-lost-words-robert-macfarlane-jackie-morris">celebrate the names of plants and animals</a> controversially removed from the Oxford Junior Dictionary, they never imagined their book, The Lost Words, would become a cultural phenomenon.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/give-young-people-wings-lost-words-duo-reunite-book-birds" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 02 May 2026 11:00:23 +0000 admin 103206 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Momentum building for Scottish-style land access rights in England, says film https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/momentum-building-scottish-style-land-access-rights-england-says-film <p>Documentary makers seek to start ‘informed conversation’ in country where public is allowed on just 8% of land</p> <p>Anger and momentum are building for Scottish style rights of access to mountains, meadows, rivers and woodlands in England where the public is allowed on just 8% of land, a new documentary suggests.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=est-ISGu9D0">Our Land</a>, a film whose title is a nod to the protest song by Woody Guthrie, explores the rise of the right to roam movement in England.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/momentum-building-scottish-style-land-access-rights-england-says-film" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 02 May 2026 06:00:18 +0000 admin 103205 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Federal government accused of watering down proposal to protect Australia’s threatened species and ecosystems https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/federal-government-accused-watering-down-proposal-protect-australia-s-threatened-speci <p>Wilderness Society says changes undermined intent of national standards intended to reverse decline of plants, animals and ecosystems</p> <ul> <li> <p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p> </li> </ul> <p>Green groups have accused the Albanese government of watering down a proposal to protect threatened species and ecosystems.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/federal-government-accused-watering-down-proposal-protect-australia-s-threatened-speci" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:10 +0000 admin 103204 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Octopus Energy boss: some people would accept blackouts if bills cut https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/octopus-energy-boss-some-people-would-accept-blackouts-if-bills-cut <p>Greg Jackson argues against costly investments in UK’s power grid that are adding to household bills</p> <p>The boss of the UK’s biggest energy supplier has suggested that some households would accept an occasional electricity blackout in exchange for much lower energy bills.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/octopus-energy-boss-some-people-would-accept-blackouts-if-bills-cut" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 01 May 2026 14:42:13 +0000 admin 103203 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Could Santa Marta climate talks mark ground zero in push to ditch fossil fuels? https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/could-santa-marta-climate-talks-mark-ground-zero-push-ditch-fossil-fuels <p>Colombia hosted nearly 60 countries at pivotal time on world stage for fight to transition to a clean energy future</p> <p>Looking out to sea from the grey sandy beaches of Santa Marta, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, it is never hard to spot evidence of the country’s thriving fossil fuel export trade. Oil tankers ride at anchor on the horizon and sometimes, locals say, lumps of coal wash up on the shore, blown off the collier ships that carry cargos from the nearby mines.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/could-santa-marta-climate-talks-mark-ground-zero-push-ditch-fossil-fuels" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 01 May 2026 14:19:29 +0000 admin 103202 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Week in wildlife: a clever orangutan, a cheeky frog and a dramatic whale rescue https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/week-wildlife-clever-orangutan-cheeky-frog-and-dramatic-whale-rescue <p>This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2026/may/01/week-in-wildlife-a-clever-orangutan-a-cheeky-frog-and-a-dramatic-whale-rescue">Continue reading...</a></p> Fri, 01 May 2026 07:00:40 +0000 admin 103200 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org How LNG interests are seeking to disrupt global talks on decarbonising shipping https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/how-lng-interests-are-seeking-disrupt-global-talks-decarbonising-shipping <p>Observers say pressure on IMO negotiations appears to be linked to countries that have invested heavily in gas</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/how-lng-interests-are-seeking-disrupt-global-talks-decarbonising-shipping" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 01 May 2026 06:00:38 +0000 admin 103199 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Germany’s climate U-turn is the worst possible response to the oil shock | Tania Roettger https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/germany-s-climate-u-turn-worst-possible-response-oil-shock-tania-roettger <p>Prices at the pump have leapt since the start of the conflict – but clinging to fossil fuels will only prolong the pain</p> <p>The car is perhaps the closest thing Germany has to a national symbol. For this reason, the success of the auto industry and the happiness of motorists has long been a barometer for the standing of the Federal Republic.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/germany-s-climate-u-turn-worst-possible-response-oil-shock-tania-roettger" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:37 +0000 admin 103198 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org