🚱 UK River Pollution Reaches Crisis Levels

A massive citizen science initiative has revealed widespread pollution in rivers across England and Wales. According to data collected from 4,000 sites between July 2023 and July 2024:

• 34% of rivers exceeded acceptable phosphate levels.
• 45% showed excessive nitrate concentrations.
• In some regions, like the Medway catchment, every tested site failed quality benchmarks.

Primary sources of pollution include wastewater treatment plants and storm overflows. Campaigners are urging stronger regulation of companies like Southern Water.
📎 Read more at The Guardian

💧 UK Braces for Summer Drought

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology warns that much of Britain could experience a significant drought this summer:

• River flows are forecasted to be “below normal” through July.
• Reservoirs are already seeing dangerously low levels.
• Some areas could face the driest summer since 1958.

Critics blame decades of underinvestment by privatized water companies for the infrastructure’s inability to cope.
📎 Full story at The Guardian

🦈 Shark Strandings in South Australia Linked to Toxic Algae

Unusual shark behavior along the South Australian coast may be tied to a prolonged algal bloom that began in March:

• Water temperatures have risen 2°C above average.
• Over 200 marine species have been reported dead.
• Multiple sharks have stranded or approached shores unusually close.

Scientists believe toxins in the bloom could be impairing shark navigation, but toxicology tests are pending.
📎 Read more at The Guardian

🦟 Mosquitoes Reaching the Shetland Islands

For the first time, mosquitoes have been found as far north as Shetland, Scotland, according to a study from the University of Glasgow:

• The discovery was made via more than 700 public submissions.
• Reports included confirmed bites even in winter.
• Scientists warn that climate change may be making new regions hospitable for disease-carrying insects.

The “Mosquito Scotland” project will continue monitoring the situation.
📎 Story from The Times

🐾 Massive Global Biodiversity Decline Confirmed

A global analysis of 2,000+ studies has confirmed a drastic loss of biodiversity due to human activity:

• Impacted sites show a nearly 20% reduction in species numbers.
• Key threats include habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, and pollution.
• Reptiles, amphibians, and mammals are especially vulnerable.

This is one of the most comprehensive reviews ever conducted on biodiversity impacts.
📎 Read the report at The Guardian

🔥 Coral Reefs Under Historic Bleaching Pressure

A prolonged coral bleaching event that began in 2023 is now the most widespread on record:

• 84% of the world's coral reef areas have been affected.
• Bleaching is being driven by persistently high ocean temperatures.
• Some reefs have experienced over 90% coral death.

Marine scientists warn that without immediate climate mitigation, reef ecosystems could face permanent collapse.
📎 Coverage from The Guardian

📜 UK Climate and Nature Bill Gains Momentum

A new bill progressing through Parliament aims to tackle the UK’s environmental crises with a unified legislative approach:

• It sets legally binding targets for both carbon reduction and nature recovery.
• A public “Climate and Nature Assembly” would be formed to shape strategy.
• Environmental groups hail it as a vital next step in eco-policy.

If passed, it could become a model for integrating climate and biodiversity legislation.
📎 More at The Guardian

🌺 Hawaii Passes Climate Resilience Tax

Hawaii has approved a groundbreaking measure to raise funds for climate adaptation:

• A 0.75% surcharge will be added to hotel stays and short-term rentals.
• Cruise ships will face an 11% tax on their bills.
• The new revenue—estimated at $100 million—will support environmental restoration and coastal defense projects.

It’s one of the most ambitious state-level climate financing strategies in the U.S.
📎 Details from The Dirt (ASLA)

🧬 Heat Adaptation: Not One-Size-Fits-All

New research into heat-adaptation genes in seed beetles finds:

• Genetic changes vary greatly across populations.
• Predicting adaptation to climate change is harder than expected.
• Implications are serious for conservation strategies based on genetic models.

This finding adds complexity to how we approach assisted evolution or habitat planning.
📎 Original research in Nature Ecology & Evolution