Environment
Conservation, pollution, regulation, and ecosystem protection.
Map reveals every UK region hit by a hosepipe ban this summer as new rule comes into force
Water companies across England are expanding hosepipe bans during a summer of hot, dry weather, with Anglian Water adding 24 East of England areas from July 11 and other suppliers already restricting use in Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Port of Galveston cruise terminal earns LEED Silver certification
The Port of Galveston says Cruise Terminal 16 has earned LEED Silver certification after converting about 85% of a former warehouse, adding another sustainability milestone to its cruise expansion.
Ozone affecting air quality in southern Connecticut Thursday, officials say
Connecticut officials said elevated ground-level ozone is pushing much of southern Connecticut into the unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups range Thursday, while the rest of the state remains mostly moderate.
Connecticut beaches stay closed after heavy rain pushed bacteria above safe levels
Several Connecticut beaches remained closed Thursday after heavy rain pushed bacteria levels above safe limits. State and local officials were retesting water at state parks and town beaches, with results expected later Thursday or Friday.
Devastating heatwave leaves France's wildlife in crisis
France's June heatwave has pushed a wildlife rescue center in Audenge, Gironde, to full capacity after record numbers of heat-stricken swifts, swallows and bats arrived during peak nesting season.
Laguna Beach coastline closed after sewage spill
Orange County health officials closed a quarter-mile stretch of Laguna Beach near Thalia Beach after about 2,000 gallons of sewage spilled into coastal waters. Swimming, surfing and diving are barred until water-quality tests clear the area, with officials saying it should be avoided for at least three days.
Scotland warns against contact with Kinghorn Burn and beach after pollution tests
SEPA has warned people not to contact Kinghorn Burn and the adjoining Kinghorn Harbour beach in Fife after testing found intermittently poor water quality. Scottish Water and Fife Council are involved in the investigation, and warning signs have been installed while further sampling continues.
Ocean surface temperatures hit a record high for June
Copernicus data reported by major outlets says global sea surface temperatures outside the polar regions reached a new June record on June 21, surpassing previous highs from 2023 and 2024.
Animal welfare activists warn horses are exposed to dangerous heat in Montenegro
Animal welfare activists in Montenegro say several unattended horses near Podgorica were left without shelter, water or food during a severe heatwave, highlighting gaps in the country’s large-animal care infrastructure.
Greenland government blocks Australian miner developing major rare earths project
Greenland has refused to extend Energy Transition Minerals' exploration licence for the Kvanefjeld rare-earths project, reviving a long-running dispute over uranium restrictions, environmental policy and the future of a strategically watched mine.
France’s drought deepens as heatwave strains water supplies and power output
France’s early-summer heatwave and rainfall deficit are intensifying water stress, with restrictions or conservation appeals in 78 prefectures, falling groundwater, and EDF curbing output at Golfech to meet river-temperature limits.
French NGO says pesticide use rose again, with PFAS-family chemicals up sharply
Générations Futures says France’s pesticide use rose about 6% from 2023 to 2024 under the NODU measure, reaching a five-year high, while PFAS-family pesticides climbed nearly 50% since 2019. The figures add new pressure on French authorities already facing questions over TFA contamination, water safety and pesticide transparency.
Cardiff sets new June overnight temperature record
Cardiff recorded a 23.5C overnight minimum at Bute Park, which the Met Office said was the highest June minimum temperature ever recorded in the UK, as a broader heatwave brought new daytime records and wider disruption.
South East Water imposes Kent hosepipe ban amid record heat and surging demand
South East Water has imposed a temporary hosepipe ban in Kent after record heat and surging demand strained drinking-water supplies. The company says customers should stop using hosepipes and sprinklers immediately.
South East Water imposes a Kent hosepipe ban amid heat-driven demand
South East Water has imposed a hosepipe ban across parts of Kent, saying heat-driven demand is outstripping the company’s ability to treat and replenish water supplies. The restriction takes legal effect on July 3, though residents are being asked to comply immediately.
US settles first federal PFAS enforcement case with Chemours
The Justice Department reached a $450 million settlement with Chemours over alleged PFAS discharges at sites in West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey, marking the first federal enforcement settlement of its kind against a manufacturer.
Deaths linked to London air pollution have fallen 40%, study estimates
Imperial College London analysis estimates pollution-linked deaths in London fell from 6,400-8,000 in 2019 to 3,800-5,100 in 2024, alongside sharp declines in nitrogen dioxide and fine particulates. The findings have reopened debate over Ulez, though the report does not directly attribute the improvement to the policy.
Heatwave in France forces Golfech reactor shutdown and output cuts at other nuclear plants
France’s heatwave has forced EDF to shut reactor 2 at Golfech and reduce output at other nuclear plants after river temperatures rose too high for normal cooling. RTE says the grid remains secure.
Australia’s bird flu risk assessment flags more than 150 native bird species at high risk
A federal risk assessment says more than 150 native bird species and more than 10 mammal species could be at very high risk if H5N1 bird flu spreads widely in Australia, as authorities monitor the first confirmed mainland detections in Western Australia.
Shelter-in-place lifted after fire at Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City
Texas City lifted a shelter-in-place order Monday after a fire at Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery prompted alerts, sirens and a temporary expansion of the affected area. Officials said air monitoring found no harmful chemicals and no injuries were reported, while the cause of the fire remained under review.
Serious chemical accidents are rising in the U.S. and getting more dangerous
A Wall Street Journal analysis of newly surfaced safety data says serious U.S. chemical accidents rose in 2025, with 48 deaths and 142 serious injuries, while recent incidents in Washington and California show how quickly those failures can endanger workers and nearby communities.
Heathrow third runway health report warns of major local harms
A Department for Transport-backed assessment says Heathrow’s proposed third runway could cause major adverse health and social impacts for nearby residents, as the government opens consultation on a revised expansion policy.
Kidney cancer rates near PFAS factory in Lancashire raise concern
A government-funded review of cancer rates near AGC Chemicals Europe’s Thornton-Cleveleys PFAS plant found two small areas with higher-than-expected kidney cancer, but officials said there was no statistically significant cluster and no further investigation was needed at this stage.
15 countries in Kenya adopt the Mombasa Declaration to fight illegal fishing
Fifteen countries signed the Mombasa Declaration in Kenya to strengthen transparency and enforcement against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.