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Lundy Island faces potential closure as water crisis deepens

Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel faces potential closure as water reserves hit record lows. The National Trust-owned island is pumping water from wildlife ponds and receiving emergency mainland shipments as drought conditions persist.

7 min read

An aerial view of Lundy Island's lighthouse on the coastline.

Necropsies underway on seabirds after major nurdle spill in River Tyne

Scientists are examining dead seabirds to assess the impact of a major microplastic spill in the River Tyne. Necropsies are underway at a marine laboratory, with researchers concerned that birds may have ingested nurdles and that the pellets could enter the wider food chain.

5 min read

Lots of white tiny plastic pellets are on the surface of a beach. The sand is a brown colour and has a shoe print in it.

High Court strikes down Mount Pleasant coalmine expansion in landmark climate ruling

Australia's High Court has invalidated approval of MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant coalmine expansion, ruling that planners must assess greenhouse gas emissions from coal burned overseas. The landmark decision sets a binding precedent for fossil fuel projects nationwide.

5 min read

Wendy Wales, president of the Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group

Scotland installs first saltmarsh carbon tracking tower at Caerlaverock

Scotland's first saltmarsh carbon tracking tower has been installed at Caerlaverock on the Solway Firth to measure how much atmospheric carbon the ecosystem absorbs. The flux tower will provide real-time data to strengthen understanding of saltmarsh conservation value and support inclusion in UK ...

4 min read

A carbon tracking tower - a yellow framed tower - sitting on saltmarsh in the south of Scotland

Creosote Contamination Closes Part of Northumberland Beach

Creosote contamination discovered at Blyth South Beach in Northumberland has led to bathing restrictions. The substance, traced to a former timber treatment works, seeps into sand through contaminated groundwater. Authorities advise against contact and urge dog owners to keep pets away.

3 min read

Blyth beach at low tide, looking back to the beach from the water. Colourful huts line the beach and a man with a red top runs along the promenade. The huts are reflected in the water and the sky is very blue.

National Trust secures field to expand St Clement's urban green space

The National Trust for Jersey is acquiring a field near Maupertuis Farm in St Clement to expand a vital green lung—an urban wildlife habitat—in one of the island's most densely developed parishes. The purchase was scheduled to complete in early October 2026.

3 min read

An aerial image of St Clements in Jersey. It features a seafront and multi-storey properties. In the background is the sea and green fields.

Government shelved wildfire preparedness scheme despite rising threat, records show

A freedom of information request reveals the government abandoned a planned wildfire preparedness programme, while new data shows fire services lack proper protective equipment and training to safely combat wildfires.

5 min read

An aerial photo showing smoke rising from wildfires on a heath with a red emergency response vehicle on a road in the foreground

Autumn chill arrives this week as UK temperatures plunge from summer highs

Temperatures will plunge this week across the UK, ending a run of summer-like warmth. Wednesday highs will range from 11°C in Scotland to 17°C in southern England. September was the joint-fourth warmest on record, and 2026 is on track to be one of the UK's warmest years ever.

4 min read

Two women walk along a path in a park in London surrounded by autumn leaves

Wildlife cameraman surprised by rare humpback whale off Welsh coast

Wildlife cinematographer Dan Abbot encountered a humpback whale off the Welsh coast on 25 September while leading a blue shark snorkelling trip—a rare sighting that caught even this experienced observer by surprise.

5 min read

A grey humpack whale in a large body of open water.

Skye road closure forces 40-mile detour after hillside collapse

A landslide on the Isle of Skye has closed the A855 north of Uig, forcing drivers onto a 40-mile detour. Highland Council is clearing debris and conducting detailed surveying work, with the road potentially remaining shut for days.

2 min read

A bare area of soil after a landslip from the side of a higher road onto a smaller road below

Sussex woodland project records 5,570 trees in major conservation milestone

A Sussex conservation project has recorded 5,570 ancient and veteran trees across a 314-square-kilometre area, exceeding initial expectations. The Lost Woods initiative, involving 20 volunteers and four charities, aims to protect these ecologically vital trees for future generations.

4 min read

Bob Epsom, on the left, and a Lost Woods volunteer, on the right, recording ancient trees for the mapping process. They are both standing beside a huge tree, and are wearing high-viz clothing.

Atlantic Hurricane Season on Track to Be First Without a Hurricane Since 1960s

The Atlantic hurricane season is on pace to record zero hurricanes for the first time since satellite monitoring began in the 1960s, driven by a powerful El Niño that suppresses Atlantic storms while fueling exceptional eastern Pacific activity.

5 min read

Photo shows a road with cars passing a blue sign that has a hurricane symbol and says 'evacuation route' 'emergency info 91.3FM'

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