Adam Vaughan

Severe drought has been declared in England for the first time ever. Covers six counties. Comes after serious concerns over two reservoirs running extremely low, including Ardingly, which I wrote about earlier this week: www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

Energy industry chiefs and regulators have warned that data centres could push up household energy bills and prompt a backlash from the British public. Story 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

The chance of seeing hedgehogs in the wild is now vanishingly rare, according to research which revealed that their population has collapsed by more than two thirds 👇🦔 www.thetimes.com/life-style/w...

Sorta bonkers hearing in which a UK farmer keeps saying solar power on farmland is not the end of the world, won't take up that much land and provides a useful diversified source of income, while MPs keep instisting to him to that solar on farmland is a nightmare parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

In a tiny corner of the world, the cao vit gibbon sings for joy. Conservationists fear the species could fall silent for ever. Report from a remote corner of Vietnam on the world's second most endangered ape. www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

Today is the 117th consecutive day somewhere in the UK has recorded a temperature of 20°C or higher. The 11th of June was the last time we didn't reach this threshold. Fresher air comes in on Wednesday allowing temperatures to fall, and likely to stay just below 20°C.

Britain will not deploy controversial technologies designed to bounce sunlight away from the Earth and cool the planet, the government has said www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...

Installing solar panels and a battery in a UK home saves £681 a year on average, the first study of its kind has found: www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

🚨 Last month was easily the hottest August on record globally. In fact, it was over 0.1°C warmer than the prior record (2023/2024)! This was estimated to be about 1.65°C warmer than a pre-industrial (1850-1900) average Summary by @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social at climate.copernicus.eu/surface-air-...

Climate protesters who were attacked while disrupting Nigel Farage’s speech at the Reform UK conference have called on Robert Jenrick to apologise for “trivialising” the violence. @ben-cooke.bsky.social reports 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Global warming is set to cross 1.5°C, pushing climate risks and impacts to increasingly dangerous heights, a new UNEP report warns.   Predicted impacts include extreme weather and threats to human health and economies.

UK prime minister Andy Burnham has confirmed he will attend #COP31, the climate conference in Nov. Interesting he chose to announce it early, to avoid any "will-he-won't-he" stories as has happened with previous PMs. Also deliberate bit of climate leadership as he could've just sent Miliband.

The Forestry Commission barred public access to some of its forests over fears that warning signs would not be enough to avoid the risk of people accidentally starting wildfires. Interview with new FC chair, Baroness Young 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

@zackpolanski.bsky.social: Put the brakes on data centres due to climate and water impact The Greens and @friends-earth.bsky.social are calling for a moratorium until environmental concerns are addressed 👇 ttps://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/zack-polanski-data-centres-greens-vsz2jmv0l

Must-read by @adamvaughan.bsky.social | Defra launches sign-up texts for ‘HIGH’ days but still refuses to alert the news media or match warnings issued during all other ‘RED’ weather events eg rain. Simon Birkett says he’s “furious” about it cc @metoffice.gov.uk @carolinerussell.bsky.social

The gap between deaths linked to the coldest and hottest days has narrowed in England and Wales as a growing proportion is estimated to be due to extreme heat. Heat-related deaths are starting to converge with those from cold as climate change continues, says ONS 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

What should we expect from this year’s “super” El Niño? Listen on the @thetimes.com The Story podcast 🎧🌍 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...

The world's oceans had their warmest day on record on Saturday, due to a combination of climate change and El Niño. Full details via @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social data site here: pulse.climate.copernicus.eu

No, a little bit of rain doesn't overturn months of below average rainfall. South East England, where I live, has had 5% of the rainfall it would usually have in August. We are going to be living with drought & restrictions for a while... www.gov.uk/government/p...

A Reform UK council has been warned that its cuts to net zero plans could end walking and cycling schemes, putting more children at risk of air pollution, car accidents and obesity. Story 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

London's clean air zone linked to improvement in health of London children’s lungs www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

Here's how the extreme heat and drought have affected farming in England this summer. “I feel like we are in unknown territory,” said @tommlancaster.bsky.social. Story 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

Firefighters were warning a year ago about exactly the sort of grassland wildfires in the Midlands yesterday. "Homes on the edge of towns ‘will soon be at risk of wildfires’", story from April 2025: www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

Don’t give in to North Sea oil lobby, climate scientists urge minister. “Atmospheric physics doesn’t care about what pleases the industry or is perceived as politically palatable,” said @profbillmcguire.bsky.social @frediotto.bsky.social & more Story 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

Homeowners will be encouraged to lease their electric car chargers to neighbours to cope with demand from motorists. Story feat @joelteague.bsky.social, @thecccuk.bsky.social and Louise Marix Evans 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/transport...

The UK's record heatwaves have made a chunk of voters more worried about climate change and impatient for help from the government Public First polling for Politico found - 36% now more supportive of renewables - over 40% now more concerned about climate www.politico.eu/article/heat...

100+ travel companies are advertising a Thai resort where an abused elephant killed a British tourist. Tripadvisor, Expedia, Marriott Bonvoy and Booking.com all took down ads for Nong Nooch Pattaya Garden after @ben-cooke.bsky.social contacted them 👇 www.thetimes.com/world/asia/a...

As efforts to alleviate the effects of climate change go, delivering a small jolt of electricity to clouds is among the more outlandish. Yet that’s exactly what British scientists hope to do next year as part of a £57 million programme to cool the planet. www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...

This summer's first two heatwaves led to more than 2,700 excess deaths in England and Wales, experts have estimated. Toll likely to go up due to third heatwave in July, @frediotto.bsky.social said this morning. www.thetimes.com/uk/weather/a...

A rare extreme marine heatwave has arrived around the UK coast More on what this means in story earlier this week: bsky.app/profile/adam...

🌊Some good news for a Friday. The UK has ratified the high seas treaty (BBNJ to the ocean wonks) Britain a little late to the party. The treaty came into force this year after 60 countries ratified it last year. UK should take ratification total to 92 countries. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Sizewell B nuclear plant to stay open 20 years longer than planned www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...