‘Destructive’ marine heatwaves driving loss of microalgae that feed coral, says Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network

Caribbean reefs have half as much hard coral now as they did in 1980, a study has found.

The 48% decrease in coral cover has been driven by climate breakdown, specifically marine heatwaves . They affect the microalgae that feed coral, making them toxic and forcing the coral to expel them.

Two easy bakes to share or gift: soft and peppery gingerbread cookies and a ginger and pumpkin loaf with spiced lemon icing

As a self-proclaimed America’s sweetheart (Julia Roberts isn’t using that title any more, is she?) who moved to the UK nearly 10 years ago, there are a few British traditions and customs that I have adopted, especially around Christmas time. However, there are also a few American ones that I hold on to staunchly: one is the pronunciation of “aluminum”, and another is the importance and beauty of a soft cookie. In both of these easy but delicious bakes to share, I use spice and heat to balance the usual sweetness with which the season can often overload us.

‘Destructive’ marine heatwaves driving loss of microalgae that feed coral, says Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network

Caribbean reefs have half as much hard coral now as they did in 1980, a study has found.

The 48% decrease in coral cover has been driven by climate breakdown, specifically marine heatwaves . They affect the microalgae that feed coral, making them toxic and forcing the coral to expel them.

Hargatewall, Derbyshire: Cycling towards a frosty Kinder Scout, I was waylaid by a raptor so settled she wouldn’t even move for a passing tractor

North of Hargatewall, the country has an austere quality, a high limestone plateau with a tracery of walls the colour of old bones dividing oblongs of pasture. The hamlet’s name has nothing to do with gates or walls. It’s derived from Old English words meaning “herd farm by the spring”, a clue to the deep roots that farming here can draw on. Wildlife was limited to the ubiquitous crows and rooks silhouetted against the milky blue sky or else resting on those white walls.

Cycling north, my attention was fixed on the horizon, where, in contrast to the green fields around me, the broad bulk of Kinder Scout was heavily frosted. Then, off to one side, a broad-winged raptor muscled into the air. Days earlier, I’d spent a few minutes watching a red kite near here, so that was my first thought. These richly coloured birds only began breeding again in Derbyshire seven years ago, and I can count my sightings of them in the Peak District on the fingers of one hand. Yet when I turned, I saw at once that it was a buzzard, less nimble in the air and prosaically brown.

Hargatewall, Derbyshire: Cycling towards a frosty Kinder Scout, I was waylaid by a raptor so settled she wouldn’t even move for a passing tractor

North of Hargatewall, the country has an austere quality, a high limestone plateau with a tracery of walls the colour of old bones dividing oblongs of pasture. The hamlet’s name has nothing to do with gates or walls. It’s derived from Old English words meaning “herd farm by the spring”, a clue to the deep roots that farming here can draw on. Wildlife was limited to the ubiquitous crows and rooks silhouetted against the milky blue sky or else resting on those white walls.

Cycling north, my attention was fixed on the horizon, where, in contrast to the green fields around me, the broad bulk of Kinder Scout was heavily frosted. Then, off to one side, a broad-winged raptor muscled into the air. Days earlier, I’d spent a few minutes watching a red kite near here, so that was my first thought. These richly coloured birds only began breeding again in Derbyshire seven years ago, and I can count my sightings of them in the Peak District on the fingers of one hand. Yet when I turned, I saw at once that it was a buzzard, less nimble in the air and prosaically brown.

Hargatewall, Derbyshire: Cycling towards a frosty Kinder Scout, I was waylaid by a raptor so settled she wouldn’t even move for a passing tractor

North of Hargatewall, the country has an austere quality, a high limestone plateau with a tracery of walls the colour of old bones dividing oblongs of pasture. The hamlet’s name has nothing to do with gates or walls. It’s derived from Old English words meaning “herd farm by the spring”, a clue to the deep roots that farming here can draw on. Wildlife was limited to the ubiquitous crows and rooks silhouetted against the milky blue sky or else resting on those white walls.

Cycling north, my attention was fixed on the horizon, where, in contrast to the green fields around me, the broad bulk of Kinder Scout was heavily frosted. Then, off to one side, a broad-winged raptor muscled into the air. Days earlier, I’d spent a few minutes watching a red kite near here, so that was my first thought. These richly coloured birds only began breeding again in Derbyshire seven years ago, and I can count my sightings of them in the Peak District on the fingers of one hand. Yet when I turned, I saw at once that it was a buzzard, less nimble in the air and prosaically brown.

Exclusive: Charity Commission chief condemns public hostility towards staff helping women and refugees and at places of worship

A surge in death and rape threats and harassment has created a “culture of fear” at charities serving women and refugees, and at mosques, churches and synagogues, the head of the Charity Commission has warned.

Mark Simms said he feared growing hostility towards charity staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, both online and on the streets, was becoming normalised and risked eroding civilised values and norms British society once took for granted.

Exclusive: Charity Commission chief condemns public hostility towards staff helping women and refugees and at places of worship

A surge in death and rape threats and harassment has created a “culture of fear” at charities serving women and refugees, and at mosques, churches and synagogues, the head of the Charity Commission has warned.

Mark Simms said he feared growing hostility towards charity staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, both online and on the streets, was becoming normalised and risked eroding civilised values and norms British society once took for granted.

Exclusive: Charity Commission chief condemns public hostility towards staff helping women and refugees and at places of worship

A surge in death and rape threats and harassment has created a “culture of fear” at charities serving women and refugees, and at mosques, churches and synagogues, the head of the Charity Commission has warned.

Mark Simms said he feared growing hostility towards charity staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, both online and on the streets, was becoming normalised and risked eroding civilised values and norms British society once took for granted.