Breaking Waves: Ocean News https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-waves/www.nationaltrust.org.uk/www.oserianwildlife.com/www.guardian.co.uk/profile/www.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/www.project-syndicate.org en ‘Disgraceful step backward’: USDA ends support for Black farmers, saying it ‘sufficiently’ handled discrimination https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/disgraceful-step-backward-usda-ends-support-black-farmers-saying-it-sufficiently-handl <p>Agency will no longer use ‘socially disadvantaged’, which describes people subjected to discrimination, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian groups</p> <p><em>This story was originally published by <a href="https://capitalbnews.org/usda-ends-dei-policy-black-farmers/">Capital B</a>, a nonprofit newsroom that centers Black voices.</em></p> <p>Lloyd Wright isn’t shocked that the US Department of Agriculture is reversing a 35-year-old policy meant to help Black farmers in favor of a race-neutral approach.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/disgraceful-step-backward-usda-ends-support-black-farmers-saying-it-sufficiently-handl" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 10:00:38 +0000 admin 100716 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Clearing Gaza rubble could yield 90,000 tonnes of planet-heating emissions https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/clearing-gaza-rubble-could-yield-90000-tonnes-planet-heating-emissions <p>Processing debris from Israel’s destruction of homes, schools and hospitals could take four decades</p> <p>Millions of tonnes of rubble left by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza could generate more than 90,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – and take as long as four decades to remove and process, a study has found.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/clearing-gaza-rubble-could-yield-90000-tonnes-planet-heating-emissions" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:00:50 +0000 admin 100715 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Iranians asked to limit water use as temperatures hit 50C and reservoirs are depleted https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/iranians-asked-limit-water-use-temperatures-hit-50c-and-reservoirs-are-depleted <p>Public holiday announced in Tehran as government tries to grapple with deepening water crisis</p> <p>Iranian authorities have asked people to limit water consumption amid severe heatwaves and a water crisis across the country.</p> <p>Iran is experiencing its hottest week of the year, according to the national meteorological service, with <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/20/heatwave-causes-water-shortages-in-iran-as-temps-top-50c">temperatures exceeding 50C</a> in some areas.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/iranians-asked-limit-water-use-temperatures-hit-50c-and-reservoirs-are-depleted" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 05:00:45 +0000 admin 100714 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org In Ukraine’s bombed out reservoir a huge forest has grown – is it a return to life or a toxic timebomb? https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ukraine-s-bombed-out-reservoir-huge-forest-has-grown-it-return-life-or-toxic-timebomb <p>Two years after the Nova Kakhovka dam was destroyed in Ukraine, nature has returned in abundance to the drained land in a ‘big natural experiment’ – but it could be lost as quickly as it appeared</p> <p>At the southern tip of Europe’s largest river island, the ground falls away into a vast and unexpected vista. From a high, rocky ledge on Khortytsia Island, the view opens on to a sea of swaying young willows and mirrored lagoons. Some of the trees are already many metres tall, but this is a young forest. Just a few years ago, all of it was under water.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/ukraine-s-bombed-out-reservoir-huge-forest-has-grown-it-return-life-or-toxic-timebomb" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:44 +0000 admin 100713 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Senate to hold SA algal bloom inquiry as Greens warn ‘Adelaide beaches today could be Bondi tomorrow’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/senate-hold-sa-algal-bloom-inquiry-greens-warn-adelaide-beaches-today-could-be-bondi-t <p>Inquiry to look into water quality, tourism, ecosystem health, Indigenous communities, fishing, and responses of state and federal governments</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/jul/22/australia-politics-live-australia-end-gaza-war-israel-china-xi-jingping-anthony-albanese-penny-wong-mark-latham-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/senate-hold-sa-algal-bloom-inquiry-greens-warn-adelaide-beaches-today-could-be-bondi-t" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 01:46:49 +0000 admin 100712 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Texas flood protest goes to Washington: ‘No more kids lost to climate disasters’ https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/texas-flood-protest-goes-washington-no-more-kids-lost-climate-disasters <p>Twenty-seven trunks symbolise child flood victims: ‘They died as a result of choices – terrible and deadly choices’</p> <p>Twenty-seven blue, pink and purple trunks, adorned with yellow roses and other flowers, were placed within view of the White House on Monday – each representing a child who perished when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/18/camp-mystic-texas-flood-warning">Camp Mystic in Texas</a> was overwhelmed by a devastating flood.</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/texas-flood-protest-goes-washington-no-more-kids-lost-climate-disasters" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 21 Jul 2025 21:29:09 +0000 admin 100711 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org ‘Broken’ water industry in England and Wales faces tighter controls under new watchdog https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/broken-water-industry-england-and-wales-faces-tighter-controls-under-new-watchdog <p>Ofwat abolished as ministers adopt Cunliffe review ideas such as sewage map naming and shaming firms</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2025/jul/21/jon-cunliffe-review-reforms-water-england-wales-ofwat">Nils Pratley: Cunliffe’s reforms should have happened 20 years ago</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/21/water-review-england-wales-ofwat-smart-meters">Water review in England and Wales: seven key takeaways</a></p> </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/broken-water-industry-england-and-wales-faces-tighter-controls-under-new-watchdog" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 21 Jul 2025 18:24:59 +0000 admin 100709 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org The Guardian view on the water industry: a return to public ownership should still be on the table | Editorial https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/guardian-view-water-industry-return-public-ownership-should-still-be-table-editorial <p>This precious resource should never have been privatised, and tougher regulation won’t solve the problem</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/guardian-view-water-industry-return-public-ownership-should-still-be-table-editorial" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 21 Jul 2025 17:47:02 +0000 admin 100710 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Who will pay for the failure of water bosses? Everyone but them | Gaby Hinsliff https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/who-will-pay-failure-water-bosses-everyone-them-gaby-hinsliff <p>A harder rain needs to fall on those responsible for the water crisis. Let Thames Water fail – it doesn’t deserve a bailout</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/who-will-pay-failure-water-bosses-everyone-them-gaby-hinsliff" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 21 Jul 2025 17:17:02 +0000 admin 100708 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org Debunked: the far-right conspiracy theories fuelled by Texas floods – video explainer https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/debunked-far-right-conspiracy-theories-fuelled-texas-floods-video-explainer <p>Disasters and tragedies have long been a source of conspiracy theories. But when devastating flash floods hit Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, far-right conspiracies over cloud seeding and weather manipulation spread within a matter of hours. The floods killed at least 135 people, including children who were staying at an all-girl summer camp along the Guadalupe River. Extremism reporter Ben Makuch explains more behind these conspiracy theories, while Guardian US environment reporter Oliver Milman tells us what really happened</p> <p><a href="https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org/breaking-wave/debunked-far-right-conspiracy-theories-fuelled-texas-floods-video-explainer" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:22:50 +0000 admin 100706 at https://www.worldoceanobservatory.org