According to the Met Office, the UK's national weather and climate service, people may be getting a little too relaxed about the weather. Conditions that once would have seemed extreme are starting to feel normal.
2025 was the UK's hottest year since records began in 1884. Four of the last five years now rank among the five hottest on record. In southeast England, the hottest day of the year is now about 4.5°C (about 8°F) warmer on average than it was in the 1960s.
This is about more than buying extra fans. Scientists are also worried about changes in the Atlantic Ocean. Normally, warm, salty water flows north from the tropics — the hot region near the equator — and passes the UK. This keeps the UK's weather milder than you'd expect for a country so far north. Near Greenland, a huge icy island in the North Atlantic, the water cools, gets heavier, sinks, and flows back south.
At least, that's how it's supposed to work. There are signs this current may be slowing down. If it weakens a lot, the UK could lose some of that warmth. That could bring colder winters and even bigger swings in the weather, on top of the heat.
Rising ocean temperatures are starting to change what fishers can find in the waters around Guernsey. The average sea temperature there is normally 16°C to 17°C (61°F to 63°F), but marine heatwaves have pushed surface temperatures higher, reaching around 17.7°C (63.8°F) in July. That may sound like a small increase, but it's enough to shift the behavior of local marine life.
Warmer water actually benefits some species. Octopuses and tuna tend to do well in these conditions, especially when mild winters mean fewer cold-related die-offs. But other species respond by moving toward cooler waters instead. Cold-water crustaceans like crabs, scallops, and lobsters are becoming harder to find as a result, making them more difficult for local fishers to catch.
That shift isn't just an environmental issue — it's an economic one. Fishing crews are having to adapt to new species showing up in their waters, often faster than laws, equipment, and markets can keep up.
Organizations like Sea Fisheries, the government service that manages and protects Guernsey's marine and fishing resources, and DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs) are working to support the fishing industry through these changes. But experts say protecting the health of marine ecosystems more broadly is just as important, since healthier seas are better equipped to withstand future heatwaves. In the long run, that could benefit both wildlife and fishing communities.
A strip of land stretching from West to East Africa was once so rich with shea nut trees that it earned the name “shea belt.” It seems like a different world from now, when conservationists say the tree is at risk of extinction because of drought, deforestation, and demand for charcoal that puts the trees (and the people who depend on them) under pressure.
Because shea trees produce nuts that can be made into shea butter used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food, they provide over 60% of household income for rural women who harvest and process the nuts. The decline of the shea tree would disrupt not only the millions across Africa supported by the industry, but supply chains and global markets, as well.
So, save the shea trees, right? It’s not so simple. Poverty pushes people to cut down shea trees and sell them as charcoal. It provides short-term income, but it means those trees are no longer usable for future shea harvests. To make matters worse, burning charcoal emits harmful greenhouse gasses. So cutting down shea trees for charcoal = less shea butter + more deforestation + more greenhouse gasses. Make it stop! Uganda tried. They banned cutting trees for charcoal in 2023, but enforcement is difficult because of high demand, especially in cities.
Between everything, Uganda has lost around 100,000 hectares of forest cover since 1990. That’s the equivalent of 140,000 soccer fields. Activists are calling for action; replanting trees and protecting the existing ones. Without coordinated action, the shea tree and the livelihoods built around it could disappear.
The article "Volcanic Activity Around the Globe: Earthquakes, Eruptions, and the Threats They Pose" from BBC's Science Focus explores the recent volcanic activity across the globe. It covers the earthquakes in Iceland's Svartsengi geothermal plant, the eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily, and the ongoing rumbling of 45 other volcanoes, including Mayon and Krakatau.
The article "Is Coffee in Danger of Disappearing?" from BBC's Science Focus explains how wild coffee plants are at high risk of extinction due to threats like climate change, pests, and deforestation. These wild plants are crucial for developing strong, disease-resistant coffee crops.
The article "Everything You Need to Know About Microplastics" from BBC's Science Focus explores the origins, distribution, and impacts of microplastics. Experts Dr. Laura Foster and Thomas Stanton discuss how these particles enter ecosystems, their effects on wildlife and potential human health risks, and suggest measures individuals and governments can take to mitigate the problem.
The article "3D-Printed Terracotta Reefs Offer New Hope for Saving Coral Ecosystems" from BBC's Science Focus reveals that Israeli researchers are creating detailed artificial coral reefs using 3D printing. These terracotta reefs mimic real coral shapes and offer homes for marine organisms, helping coral reefs recover. The goal is to use this technology in oceans around the world to support marine biodiversity.
The article "Animals evolve larger limbs to adapt to rising temperatures" from BBC's Science Focus discusses how climate change is prompting warm-blooded animals to develop larger appendages, such as ears, beaks, and limbs, to better regulate body heat.
The article "The Amazon Rainforest: Could It Become a Desert?" from BBC's Science Focus investigates the consequences of deforestation and fires in the Amazon. With increasing tree mortality rates, scientists warn that the rainforest could transition into a dry savannah if destruction continues.
The article "10 Remarkable Desert Plants That Survive in the Harshest Places on Earth" from BBC's Discover Wildlife is an exploration of extraordinary plant species uniquely adapted to life in deserts. Highlighting everything from the ancient date palm to the fog-harvesting tara tree and water-storing saxaul, the article showcases the ways that desert flora thrive in places with extreme heat, dryness, or even cold.
The article "Manatees: Gentle Sea Cows of Rivers and Oceans" from BBC's Discover Wildlife is a guide to these slow-moving aquatic mammals. It explains the different types of manatees, their habitats, diet, size, and how they reproduce. It also highlights the threats they face and the conservation efforts underway to protect them from extinction.
The article "Exploring Costa Rica’s Rich Wildlife: Which Animals Can You See?" from BBC's Discover Wildlife explores the incredible range of animals that live in Costa Rica. From howler monkeys whose calls can be heard over long distances, to the rare jaguar, the country is home to some of the most unique species in the world. It also highlights vibrant creatures like the resplendent quetzal and endangered sea turtles.
According to the Met Office, the UK's national weather and climate service, people may be getting a little too relaxed about the weather. Conditions that once would have seemed extreme are starting to feel normal.
2025 was the UK's hottest year since records began in 1884. Four of the last five years now rank among the five hottest on record. In southeast England, the hottest day of the year is now about 4.5°C (about 8°F) warmer on average than it was in the 1960s.
This is about more than buying extra fans. Scientists are also worried about changes in the Atlantic Ocean. Normally, warm, salty water flows north from the tropics — the hot region near the equator — and passes the UK. This keeps the UK's weather milder than you'd expect for a country so far north. Near Greenland, a huge icy island in the North Atlantic, the water cools, gets heavier, sinks, and flows back south.
At least, that's how it's supposed to work. There are signs this current may be slowing down. If it weakens a lot, the UK could lose some of that warmth. That could bring colder winters and even bigger swings in the weather, on top of the heat.
Rising ocean temperatures are starting to change what fishers can find in the waters around Guernsey. The average sea temperature there is normally 16°C to 17°C (61°F to 63°F), but marine heatwaves have pushed surface temperatures higher, reaching around 17.7°C (63.8°F) in July. That may sound like a small increase, but it's enough to shift the behavior of local marine life.
Warmer water actually benefits some species. Octopuses and tuna tend to do well in these conditions, especially when mild winters mean fewer cold-related die-offs. But other species respond by moving toward cooler waters instead. Cold-water crustaceans like crabs, scallops, and lobsters are becoming harder to find as a result, making them more difficult for local fishers to catch.
That shift isn't just an environmental issue — it's an economic one. Fishing crews are having to adapt to new species showing up in their waters, often faster than laws, equipment, and markets can keep up.
Organizations like Sea Fisheries, the government service that manages and protects Guernsey's marine and fishing resources, and DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs) are working to support the fishing industry through these changes. But experts say protecting the health of marine ecosystems more broadly is just as important, since healthier seas are better equipped to withstand future heatwaves. In the long run, that could benefit both wildlife and fishing communities.
A strip of land stretching from West to East Africa was once so rich with shea nut trees that it earned the name “shea belt.” It seems like a different world from now, when conservationists say the tree is at risk of extinction because of drought, deforestation, and demand for charcoal that puts the trees (and the people who depend on them) under pressure.
Because shea trees produce nuts that can be made into shea butter used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food, they provide over 60% of household income for rural women who harvest and process the nuts. The decline of the shea tree would disrupt not only the millions across Africa supported by the industry, but supply chains and global markets, as well.
So, save the shea trees, right? It’s not so simple. Poverty pushes people to cut down shea trees and sell them as charcoal. It provides short-term income, but it means those trees are no longer usable for future shea harvests. To make matters worse, burning charcoal emits harmful greenhouse gasses. So cutting down shea trees for charcoal = less shea butter + more deforestation + more greenhouse gasses. Make it stop! Uganda tried. They banned cutting trees for charcoal in 2023, but enforcement is difficult because of high demand, especially in cities.
Between everything, Uganda has lost around 100,000 hectares of forest cover since 1990. That’s the equivalent of 140,000 soccer fields. Activists are calling for action; replanting trees and protecting the existing ones. Without coordinated action, the shea tree and the livelihoods built around it could disappear.
The article "Volcanic Activity Around the Globe: Earthquakes, Eruptions, and the Threats They Pose" from BBC's Science Focus explores the recent volcanic activity across the globe. It covers the earthquakes in Iceland's Svartsengi geothermal plant, the eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily, and the ongoing rumbling of 45 other volcanoes, including Mayon and Krakatau.
The article "Is Coffee in Danger of Disappearing?" from BBC's Science Focus explains how wild coffee plants are at high risk of extinction due to threats like climate change, pests, and deforestation. These wild plants are crucial for developing strong, disease-resistant coffee crops.
The article "Everything You Need to Know About Microplastics" from BBC's Science Focus explores the origins, distribution, and impacts of microplastics. Experts Dr. Laura Foster and Thomas Stanton discuss how these particles enter ecosystems, their effects on wildlife and potential human health risks, and suggest measures individuals and governments can take to mitigate the problem.
The article "3D-Printed Terracotta Reefs Offer New Hope for Saving Coral Ecosystems" from BBC's Science Focus reveals that Israeli researchers are creating detailed artificial coral reefs using 3D printing. These terracotta reefs mimic real coral shapes and offer homes for marine organisms, helping coral reefs recover. The goal is to use this technology in oceans around the world to support marine biodiversity.
The article "Animals evolve larger limbs to adapt to rising temperatures" from BBC's Science Focus discusses how climate change is prompting warm-blooded animals to develop larger appendages, such as ears, beaks, and limbs, to better regulate body heat.
The article "The Amazon Rainforest: Could It Become a Desert?" from BBC's Science Focus investigates the consequences of deforestation and fires in the Amazon. With increasing tree mortality rates, scientists warn that the rainforest could transition into a dry savannah if destruction continues.
The article "10 Remarkable Desert Plants That Survive in the Harshest Places on Earth" from BBC's Discover Wildlife is an exploration of extraordinary plant species uniquely adapted to life in deserts. Highlighting everything from the ancient date palm to the fog-harvesting tara tree and water-storing saxaul, the article showcases the ways that desert flora thrive in places with extreme heat, dryness, or even cold.
The article "Manatees: Gentle Sea Cows of Rivers and Oceans" from BBC's Discover Wildlife is a guide to these slow-moving aquatic mammals. It explains the different types of manatees, their habitats, diet, size, and how they reproduce. It also highlights the threats they face and the conservation efforts underway to protect them from extinction.
The article "Exploring Costa Rica’s Rich Wildlife: Which Animals Can You See?" from BBC's Discover Wildlife explores the incredible range of animals that live in Costa Rica. From howler monkeys whose calls can be heard over long distances, to the rare jaguar, the country is home to some of the most unique species in the world. It also highlights vibrant creatures like the resplendent quetzal and endangered sea turtles.