Displaying items by tag: Environment

The MV Sounion, a Greek-owned oil tanker attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, remains ablaze and could be leaking oil, according to the Pentagon. The tanker, carrying over one million barrels of crude oil, is at risk of causing one of the largest oil spills in history. The Houthis, who claim to be supporting Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict, have been targeting ships in the Red Sea for the past ten months, allegedly sinking two vessels and killing two crew members. The Sounion was first attacked on 21 August, resulting in a fire that disabled its engine. Its 25 crew members were rescued by a European warship a day later. The Pentagon has expressed concern over the potential environmental disaster and reported that salvage operations have been hindered by further threats from the Houthis. Efforts are ongoing to mitigate the potential impact of the spill. Meanwhile, at least ten Palestinians have been killed in a major operation by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank: see Breaking news: Israel and Hamas have agreed on brief pauses to the conflict to allow children to be vaccinated against polio.

The UK prime minister and Welsh first minister have launched a joint initiative to transform Britain into a clean energy superpower. This mission focuses on significant investments in homegrown energy, which aims to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance energy independence. Sir Keir Starmer and Baroness Morgan visited a wind farm in West Wales, showcasing the Welsh government's investment in green energy. A key element of this plan is the establishment of Great British Energy, a publicly owned entity that will oversee clean energy projects across the UK. Starmer emphasised the commitment to ending the era of fluctuating energy bills and ensuring clean power by 2030, thereby boosting the country's energy security and economy. In Wales, the government’s renewable energy developer, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, is set to generate enough clean energy to power up to a million homes by 2040 and create thousands of jobs. This collaborative effort underscores the UK’s ambition to lead globally in clean energy and achieve long-term energy sustainability.

The UN's International Seabed Authority (ISA) has met to discuss new rules for ocean floor mineral extraction, despite concerns over economic and environmental risks. Supporters argue that deep sea mining will provide essential materials like cobalt and nickel for the global energy transition, while critics fear it could devastate ecosystems and disrupt migratory routes. Twenty-seven countries are calling for a temporary halt. The ISA council will negotiate a ‘mining code’ for regulating ocean floor mining. Nations remain divided on the draft, with many urging a slower process for proper scrutiny. The urgency stems from an expected application by Nauru for a mining licence. Critics argue that deep sea mining's economic viability remains unproven, with rising costs and significant environmental trade-offs.

Two Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested after spraying orange paint on Stonehenge, just before the summer solstice celebrations. The incident was widely condemned by political leaders. Rishi Sunak, calling it a 'disgraceful act of vandalism', urged condemnation from anyone associated with the group. Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Ed Davey also criticised the act, calling for strict legal action. Despite the vandalism, the site remains open to the public. Just Stop Oil, which has been demanding a treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030, defended the protest as a call to action against the ecological crisis. In another incident, two more protesters were arrested after spraying several planes orange at a private airport: see

Massive floods have devastated a state in the south of Brazil, resulting in at least 75 deaths and 103 people missing. Over 88,000 residents have been displaced; 16,000 have sought refuge in schools and temporary shelters. The floods have caused extensive damage and significant disruptions to electricity and communications. Over 800,000 people are currently without a water supply. The state’s governor, calling the devastation unprecedented, has called for a comprehensive reconstruction plan, while President Lula has emphasised the importance of proactive disaster management. This environmental disaster is the fourth major flooding event in the state within eight months.

A dense orange haze has enveloped Athens as clouds of Sahara desert dust swept across Greece, marking one of the worst episodes since 2018. Similar clouds hit Greece, Switzerland, and southern France in late March and early April. As the air quality has deteriorated, Greeks with respiratory issues have been advised to stay indoors, wear masks, and avoid strenuous activities. The Sahara annually releases 60 to 200 million tonnes of mineral dust, some of which travels long distances. A meteorologist has compared the view from one weather station to Mars. The fire service has reported 25 wildfires in 24 hours, including one in Crete, where temperatures soared above 30C. The situation underscores the environmental challenges posed by such natural phenomena, requiring vigilant monitoring and response efforts.

In Mexico's drought-stricken Michoacan state, subsistence farmers are taking direct action against commercial farms, particularly avocado orchards, which are depleting water sources. Angry residents have organised teams to remove illegal water pumps and breach unlicensed irrigation ponds, sparking potential conflicts with avocado growers, some of whom have ties to drug cartels. The drought, exacerbated by increased water use for lucrative export crops, has led to disappearing rivers and lakes. The residents are demanding fair access to water resources; they have proposed giving 20% of the water to the orchard owners. The government has been urged to address the root causes of the conflict and prevent further environmental degradation.

The southern Orenburg region in Russia is facing its worst flooding in decades, with 55 cities and towns affected and thousands evacuated. Entire neighbourhoods have been submerged, with volunteers and emergency workers rescuing trapped individuals and animals. The crisis, which caught authorities off-guard, is likely to worsen, as the Ural River is expected to rise even higher. A state of emergency has been declared; the damage to houses is severe, with estimates exceeding 21 billion rubles (£178 million). The flooding, triggered by snowmelt and rainfall, breached protective dams, leading to thousands of evacuations. There are claims that the authorities knew the likelihood of flooding in advance, but took no preventative action. Some promises of compensation and dam reconstruction have been made, but locals remain disillusioned, demanding accountability for the crisis.

During his visit to Brazil, Emmanuel Macron has called the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal ‘very bad’. He called for a new agreement prioritising climate, biodiversity, and development. While Brazil is eager to sign, France, concerned about its farmers and environmental standards, has reservations. Brazilian officials remain hopeful, emphasising President Lula's commitment to strengthening ties with the EU. Macron also urged increased Brazilian investment in France and proposed collaboration in African markets. He plans to push for international standards promoting decarbonisation and environmental preservation at upcoming summits. His remarks reflect broader debates about balancing economic interests with environmental responsibilities.

Giant redwoods, the world's largest trees, are thriving in the UK, surpassing their native numbers in California. Introduced by the Victorians as a symbol of botanical prestige, there are an estimated 500,000 giant redwoods in the UK, compared to California's 80,000. While not yet reaching the heights of their American counterparts - the tallest in the UK measures 54.87m compared to California's 90m - they have the potential to grow taller over time, as they can live for over 2,000 years. When researchers conducted a study on these trees, using laser scanning to measure their growth, they found they were growing at a similar rate to those in Sierra Nevada and adapting well to the UK climate. While the giant redwoods face climate change threats in California, they may find a more hospitable environment in the UK. However, despite their success, they are not likely to dominate native forests, as they require specific conditions for reproduction.