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The Threat to Ocean Monitoring The Trump administration's plan to dismantle an ocean observation system vital to understanding the climate crisis and marine ecosystems would “severely degrade” the accuracy of weather predictions and El Niño forecasts, with economic consequences for the US, European and American scientists have warned. The Ocean Observatories Initiative The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), run by the US National Science Foundation, is a vast network of seafloor systems, underwater gliders and moored surface platforms that feeds data to researchers, policymakers, educators and mariners worldwide. The initiative, which covers both US coastlines and extends into the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean, has been used to study marine heatwaves, harmful algal blooms, subduction zone earthquakes, ocean acidification and fisheries variability. The Data Analysis Decommissioning the US system, which plays a major part in a global ocean observation network, would lead to a massive increase in error in the annual estimates of ocean heating rates, according to research published last month. Removing US observations alone would produce a 163% increase in error for annual ocean heating rates. The Impact Analysis The loss of US observations, in a year predicted to be an El Niño year, with “supercharged” weather extremes, could also “lose the ability to see it coming clearly to act in time”. The stakes are concrete: farmers in the US and across South America use El Niño forecasts to decide what to plant and when – whether to expect drought or flooding shapes every agricultural decision months in advance. The Prediction “The US government wants to save less than a billion in sensors, which are the eyes and ears of the ocean” said Abrahams. “We have hundreds of billions in climate costs per year. The cost of the observation system is a fraction of the climate costs from hurricanes and storms that hit the US. ” The system, is, Abraham said is “quite an inexpensive way to reduce climate-related costs”.

The Enduring Magic of Baseball Baseball's relationship with superstitions and curses stretches back to its earliest days, with the infamous Curse of the Billy Goat being just one example. When Chicago bar owner William Sianis was denied entry to the 1945 World Series with his pet goat Murphy, he allegedly cursed the team, which then went 71 years without winning another championship. This story, along with countless other rituals and beliefs, forms the foundation of baseball's unique relationship with the magical and supernatural. A New Book Explores Baseball's Mystical Side Author, journalist, and New York Mets fan Addy Baird has chronicled baseball's rich tradition of superstitions in her new book, "The Magical Game: The Spirit and History of Baseball's Superstitions, Rituals, and Curses." Baird became fascinated with baseball's magical elements while cheering for the Mets, finding herself becoming increasingly superstitious as the team had successful stretches. "I changed the way I acted, things I did, wore, watched, said, ate," she admits, trying to influence the team's performance through her own rituals. Legendary Superstitions and Rituals The book documents numerous baseball superstitions throughout history. Turn-of-the-century managers like Connie Mack and John McGraw relied on human mascots to bring their teams good luck. Wade Boggs famously ate chicken before every game during his career in the 1980s and 1990s. More recently, a Seattle Mariners fan believes that holding a pair of slippers somehow negatively affected his team's performance, while a Tampa Bay Rays fan plays Middle Earth music during difficult innings despite having no interest in Lord of the Rings. Even in softball, superstitions persist—this week it was revealed that a top college player eats ladybugs in the dugout for good luck. The Psychology Behind Baseball's Magic When asked what makes baseball particularly prone to magical thinking, Baird identifies several factors: the presence of luck, the game's unique structure, and its repetitive nature. "Basically, when a sport has fewer instances of scoring, luck is a bigger factor," she explains. Baseball's structure is also distinctive as "one of the only games we play, and the only major North American sport, where the defense has the ball," creating an uncertain environment. The repetitive nature of the game—with batters facing dozens of pitches over a 162-game season—further compounds the uncertainty, creating what Baird calls "a perfect environment for magic to thrive." Baseball's Mythological Foundations Baird connects baseball's structure to ancient mythological patterns, noting that MLB's official historian John Thorn observed that "the form of the game itself mirrors that of the Odyssey." The nine innings represent the hero's journey: starting at home, facing potential failure, and embarking on a journey with the goal of returning home. "The story of this myth is embedded in the game itself. Magic is in its very structure," Baird concludes. This connection helps explain why baseball has developed such rich traditions and superstitions throughout its history. Evolution of Baseball's Magic The book also examines how recent changes to baseball, including sabermetrics and new rules like the pitch clock, might affect the game's magical elements. Initially, Baird believed these changes were killing baseball's magic, but her research revealed a long tradition of people claiming "baseball is dying" since the 1860s. She now believes "the game should evolve, an unchanging thing is a dead thing." Interestingly, she finds that sabermetrics actually "help us to see what makes [baseball] unique, what makes it special, what makes players exceptionally good... Those numbers reveal to us the magic." Baseball's Appeal Beyond the Field Through her research, Baird not only completed a manuscript but also discovered a new career path. In addition to her journalism work, she has become a practicing astrologer. "It was one of my really interesting side quests," she says. "I do readings for people, reading charts." Whether you're a baseball enthusiast or someone interested in magic and ritual, "The Magical Game" offers something for everyone. As Baird explains, "it's a book for people who love baseball, also for those who do not care about baseball at all" and "for the people who love magic, looking at it through a lens they may never have considered before."

The Final PreparationsIran will head off to their World Cup base this weekend with a spring in their step after beating Mali 2-0 in a friendly in Turkiye, even if some uncertainty still clouds their participation in the tournament. The victory comes at a crucial time as the team prepares for their World Cup campaign amidst political and logistical challenges.Match BreakdownGoals from midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and right back Ramin Rezaeian either side of half-time on Thursday gave Team Melli a record of three wins and a single loss in their four friendlies this year in the Turkish resort city of Antalya. The match served as Iran's final preparation before traveling to Mexico for the tournament.Performance StatisticsThe friendlies are the only competitive football the Iran-based players have contested since the domestic league was suspended in the wake of US and Israel air strikes on the Islamic republic in late February that triggered a regional war. With three wins and one loss in their four pre-tournament matches, Iran has demonstrated solid form despite the unusual circumstances surrounding their preparation.Political ComplicationsThe squad have received visas for Mexico, officials confirmed this week, and will leave Turkiye on Saturday for their tournament base in the border city of Tijuana. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to host the squad after being told that the US authorities did not want Iran staying in their original base in Arizona throughout the June 11 to July 19 tournament.The squad have not yet received the visas they will need to get into the US to play their group games against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle, however. Iranian FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told Iranian media this week that the US visas were the main concern for the federation as Iran's tournament opener against New Zealand on June 15 approaches.Visa ObstaclesUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday there was "no problem" with the Iran squad entering the country, but Washington would not let officials or staff with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accompany them. Both the US and Canada, who are cohosting the World Cup with Mexico, classify the IRGC as a "terrorist entity".Taj was refused entry into Canada for the FIFA Congress in late April because of his links to the elite military force, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic tensions that could impact Iran's participation in the tournament.

Lead: A Raw, Rugged Country‑Rock Debut from Jazz Saxophonist Zoh AmbaVeteran free‑jazz saxophonist Zoh Amba steps out of the improvisational realm with ‘Eyes Full’, a country‑rock record that feels both bruised and beautiful. The album opens with the track “OCD”, where a twinkling guitar riff gives way to a chaotic, blustering strum that mirrors the lyrical theme of a boy “diagnosed with ‘dreamin’ all the time’”.From Free Jazz to Country Rock: The Musical PivotAmba’s hometown of Kingsport, Tennessee informs the record’s lyrical landscape, with cryptic postcards recalling childhood memories. While Amba is best known for saxophone virtuosity, the new material showcases a vocal approach as daring as their instrumental work—pushing past breaking points, cracking, whinnying, and squeaking to convey raw emotion.Tracks like “Southern Soil” echo the intensity of indie folk acts such as Bright Eyes and Big Thief, while “Weed Eating” balances feral humour with despair, and “Blueberry Thorn” offers a dusty fiddle that feels as piercing as literal thorns.Why “Eyes Full” Reshapes the Indie Country LandscapeThe album’s blend of gritty guitar work and tender lyricism challenges the conventional boundaries of indie country, suggesting that genre‑fluidity can thrive when an artist brings the same fearless improvisation from jazz to a new sonic field. By marrying experimental aggression with heartfelt storytelling, Amba creates a template for future cross‑genre explorations.Looking Ahead: What This Shift Means for Amba’s Future and the GenreIf “Eyes Full” resonates with listeners, it could open doors for Amba to oscillate between jazz and country‑rock, perhaps even spawning collaborations that further blur genre lines. For the broader indie‑country scene, the record signals that authenticity rooted in personal history can coexist with avant‑garde experimentation, encouraging other artists to take similar bold detours.

The Surging Cost of Protein: Global Meat Consumption TrendsThe global dietary landscape has undergone a seismic shift over the last six decades, with meat consumption soaring to unprecedented levels. A comprehensive UN report highlights that the average person now consumes six times more chicken than their grandparents did, signaling a fundamental change in global food systems that carries profound environmental consequences.The Evolution of Global Protein DietsData from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) illustrates a dramatic divergence in dietary habits compared to 1961:Poultry: Supply rose from below 3kg per person to 17kg per person.Pork: Supply doubled to 15kg per person.Beef: Supply remained steady at 9kg per person.Total Meat: Global supply rose from 25kg to 47kg per person.Despite the rise in poultry and pork, beef remains the most polluting food source, yet its consumption has plateaued.Quantifying the Environmental TollAgriculture is now the second most polluting sector of the global economy, and its impact is accelerating. The FAO forecasts a 7.6% rise in planet-heating emissions over the next decade, with livestock accounting for 80% of this increase. Additionally, the report highlights inefficiency, noting that approximately 14% of meat and milk is lost during production or wasted after reaching consumers.Inequality and the Climate MandateThe report exposes a stark regional divide in access to animal products. While high-income nations maintain high consumption levels, low- and middle-income countries face affordability constraints. However, scientists criticize the FAO's approach, arguing that the report fails to recommend reduced meat consumption in wealthy nations, despite the IPCC identifying plant-rich diets as a critical tool for cutting emissions.Navigating the Trade-offs of Animal AgricultureLooking ahead, the focus is shifting toward technological solutions rather than consumption reduction. FAO officials argue that existing technologies and innovations can significantly reduce emissions from livestock production. The challenge for policymakers is balancing the nutritional benefits of animal-source foods with the urgent need to mitigate environmental damage.

The Plant-Based Paradox: Growing Alternatives vs. Meat Dominance Should I tuck into a juicy steak or stick a tofu patty in a bun and call it a burger? Twenty years ago, that question was largely seen as a moral dilemma influenced by grim conditions in factory farms and slaughterhouses. Back then, animal rights activists were the loudest campaigners arguing for people to abstain from meat. They had limited success because vegetarians and vegans made up less than 5% of the population in rich countries – and the best fake meats were bland replicas of real flesh. The word flexitarian had not yet made it into the dictionary. The debate has shifted sharply. The pollution from animal agriculture, which makes up 12-20% of planet-heating gas, is now part of public discourse around eating meat. A dramatic rise in rates of obesity and diseases linked to red meat have made health concerns part of individual decisions to eat less of it. Meanwhile, some plant-based alternatives have improved in texture and taste to the point where even meat lovers struggle to tell that they did not come from an animal. The Rise of Plant-Based Alternatives: Market Transformation In one sense, there is a powerful story of personal action to tell. The tiny market share of vegetarians in the early 2000s provided the demand that companies needed to invest in making substitutes taste better. These alternatives are now helping meat eaters reduce their intake – an easier sell than convincing people to give it up entirely. Add that to a growing awareness about the environmental harm that livestock cause, and a rise in public support for stopping climate breakdown, and you have the ingredients for what could be a major societal shift away from damaging levels of meat-eating. Early signs of the trend are visible in countries such as Germany, a sausage-hungry nation where about one in 10 people are vegan or vegetarian and a further 37% describe themselves as flexitarian. Plant-based alternatives have become so common that a third of the population buy them regularly, a government survey found in November, and discount supermarkets have launched their own brands. Village cafes in far-right regions seem perfectly happy to serve oat milk with coffee. The Meat Consumption Data: Global Trends and Statistics The broader picture, though, is still dominated by animals. Data in a new report from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation suggests the average person eats six times as much chicken and twice as much pork as their grandparents did, with global meat supply having risen fourfold in the last 60 years. Much of the growth has taken place in poor countries in which better access to meat has helped counter hunger and malnutrition. But consumption is projected to keep rising, albeit at a slower rate, even in rich countries, where climate scientists and doctors recommend cutting down. Livestock are expected to contribute the vast majority of the projected 7.6% rise in global agricultural emissions over the next decade, at a time when global emissions from other parts of the economy, such as electricity generation, are set to fall. Industry Resistance and Consumer Behavior Patterns It is too early to tell whether the backlash signals a reversal or stalling of efforts to shift diets toward plants. In the UK, YouGov data shows the proportion of people who are vegetarians and vegans peaked in 2021 at 10% and has since fallen to 7%, while survey data in many other European countries suggests little change or even continued growth. The meat industry, meanwhile, is working hard to safeguard its dominance. In March, EU politicians voted to ban meaty names such as steak and bacon for plant-based alternatives. In the US, the "Make America Healthy Again" campaign from the Trump administration has enthusiastically promoted eating more meat, including many cow products such as beef tallow, going against medical advice. The pro-meat movement may also benefit from the protein obsession that has gripped rich countries, as well as growing fears about the health risks of ultra-processed food. Doctors are sceptical of the former – protein deficiencies in rich countries are rare, unlike fibre deficiencies – while there is little evidence to say much about the health impacts of processed plant-based products compared with processed meat ones. Future Outlook: Environmental and Health Implications The calculation is made more concerning by the indirect health impacts of meat-heavy diets, which stretch well beyond the risks to the person following them. Knock-on effects from the livestock industry range from stronger extreme weather events caused by climate breakdown to antimicrobial resistance that spreads superbugs. On Wednesday, an FAO report found that the use of antibiotics on livestock would rise by nearly a third in the next 15 years without government intervention, with potentially disastrous consequences for protection from disease. Health research is full of contradictory studies, and some advocates of meat-free diets have made sweeping claims that are not supported by the science. But what is clear, at a population level, is that people in rich countries are eating more meat and fewer plants than doctors consider healthy. And at a global level, the environmental harm from animal agriculture is likely to rise at a time when the planet needs it to fall.

Breathing Earth's Ancient PastMore than 2bn years ago, during the Paleoproterozoic era, the Earth's atmosphere began to fill with free oxygen, enabling the rise of aerobic life and, ultimately, humans. This Great Oxidation Event is now being experienced firsthand by visitors to the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) in Tasmania, where French-Swiss conceptual artist Julian Charrière has created an extraordinary installation that allows people to inhale oxygen that has been trapped in iron ore since that ancient time.When Charrière came up with the concept for what would become 'Breathe,' Mona's owner David Walsh not only approved the project but created a bespoke space for it, recognizing the unique intersection of science, art, and human experience that the installation represents.The Science Behind the Ancient OxygenThe installation is a marvel of scientific ingenuity and artistic vision. Charrière has sourced ancient iron ore from Australia's Pilbara region, which is processed daily in an on-site laboratory. The water is extracted from the ore using specialized machinery, then put through a Hofmann apparatus—a piece of scientific equipment that electrolyzes water—to liberate the trapped oxygen molecules.This pure, ancient oxygen is then released into a specially designed room where visitors can breathe it in, creating a direct connection to the beginning of life on Earth. As Charrière explains: 'I want people to get all the way back to the beginning of the earth. It's like a time machine.' The installation is designed as a solitary experience, with visitors accessing a vault-like corridor reminiscent of a mining drift, flanked by raw sandstone and lined with deep red rocks from the Pilbara.The Immense Timescale of the InstallationThe timescale involved in 'Breathe' is almost incomprehensible. The oxygen visitors inhale has been trapped in iron ore for over 2.4 billion years—since the Great Oxidation Event that transformed Earth's atmosphere and enabled the development of complex life forms. This installation literally connects each visitor to the primordial beginnings of our planet's atmosphere.As visitors walk through the tunnel, the temperature drops as they approach a high-ceilinged cylindrical room, an underground windowless tower where lighting depends on the amount of sun that can be reflected through a small opening above. Walking over tiles made of polished ancient tiger ore, they circle a floor-to-ceiling clear glass tube that houses the Hofmann apparatus. It is here, at a small opening, that visitors have their closest access to Charrière's pure, ancient oxygen.Redefining the Art-Science Experience'Breathe' represents a groundbreaking fusion of scientific methodology and artistic expression, challenging traditional boundaries between disciplines. The installation creates a profound personal experience that connects visitors not just to art, but to the very essence of life on Earth.What makes this installation particularly powerful is its claim that each visitor is the first human being to ever inhale that specific oxygen. As Charrière explains: 'You are breathing something which is so pure and has not been touched by any being before you... And the beauty of the piece is you will carry it until you die. You're going to become a small part of this installation and you become a big part of the great oxygen cycle, and you will only finally free this oxygen once... once you're going in the other world.'This installation is part of a broader trend in contemporary art that incorporates scientific processes and concepts, creating works that are both intellectually stimulating and viscerally impactful.The Future of Scientific Art Installations'Breathe' is opening alongside Charrière's major new exhibition 'Hard Core,' which showcases both the ambition and scientific curiosity of the Berlin-based artist. Individual elements of 'Hard Core' have been exhibited elsewhere in the world, including at the Venice Biennale, but the full exhibition finds its perfect home at Mona, with its exposed rock, industrial aesthetic, and fusion of science with art.As museums and galleries continue to seek innovative ways to engage audiences, installations like 'Breathe' point to a future where art and science are not just displayed together but are fundamentally intertwined in the creative process. This approach has the potential to create more immersive, educational, and thought-provoking experiences that challenge visitors to see the world—and their place in it—in new ways.Charrière's work demonstrates how art can make abstract scientific concepts tangible and personal, creating connections across vast stretches of time and space. As our understanding of the universe expands, art installations like 'Breathe' will play an increasingly important role in helping us process and relate to these profound concepts.

The Encounter with the 'Queen of Trees' I breathe in the bluebells as a blackcap sings. At the crescendo, a flash of yellow breaks up the blue – a brimstone butterfly flies up to my face, then moves back, approaches, then draws back, repeating the fluttered action until I follow. A Moment of Connection in the Forest Together, we weave through fresh-scented firs before my companion flits away and I realise that I have come further into the forest than intended. My feet start to throb and the wind, as the sky grows overcast, brings a chill. I see the leaves of a vaulted canopy stir overhead and feel the softest carpet of fallen catkins underfoot. Although the threat of rain urges me forwards, a tree, an imposing common beech, makes me stay. The Majesty of the Common Beech Looking up through the domed crown, I think of the beech’s moniker as the queen of British trees. The long-living, high‑growing beech can grow over 40 metres tall and – with age, perhaps spanning multiple centuries – provide habitats for deadwood specialists like wood‑boring insects and hole‑nesting birds. This tree’s girth speaks of a long life that I find myself imagining; how many winds have run through the leaves, how many birds have been held in the branches, how many foot‑sore humans have found relief sinking into fallen catkins? A Shared Moment with a Tawny Owlet Thinking myself alone, it takes a confused moment to disentangle my eyes from another’s, to realise that – deep in the tree’s crevice – a tawny owlet is watching me. My eyes take small circuits around the white patches of the bird’s face: first the beak, then over the left eye, the right, then back again. I blink. It blinks. I blink. It blinks. We are reaching some kind of accord. A Peaceful Goodbye I move back a little and wait. Every now and then, its eyes meet mine. It blinks. I blink. It would be easy to fall asleep, as no doubt it was before my approach. But I know that I cannot stay. As I edge away, I mutter thanks to the brimstone for taking me on a different route, for leading me to this sheltering beech and the secrets that it keeps.

The Climate Policy Reversal in Blue States Democratic-led states are eroding their climate policies, as red states are scaling up their clean energy deployment. California on Friday scaled back its cap-and-invest program, offering more than $3bn in free pollution allowances to polluting companies. Earlier the same week, New York weakened its groundbreaking climate law, delaying a plan to regulate carbon from 2024 until 2028 and reducing emissions-slashing targets. Rhode Island's governor, meanwhile, is attempting to roll back aggressive clean-energy programs. The Economic Justification vs. Climate Imperative The moves come as Donald Trump's administration withdraws clean energy incentives and energy savings programs, and as energy prices spike across the country amid trade disruptions stemming from the US-Israeli war on Iran. Proponents have said the changes are necessary to suppress electricity costs, but climate advocates say that view is short-sighted and misguided. "Using affordability as a cudgel to weaken climate policy is a major error that will not solve either crisis, ultimately amplifying both," said Johanna Bozuwa, executive director of the Climate and Community Institute, a left-leaning thinktank. "Extreme weather and fossil-fuel dependency directly inflate costs – for food, energy, transportation, housing, and health – across the economy for working people." American Public Opinion on Climate Change Polls show most Americans are concerned about the climate crisis. An annual poll from Gallup, published in April, shows that 44% of American adults say they worry "a great deal" about global warming – one of the highest levels of concern since 1989, when the poll was first conducted, behind only 2020 and 2017. About 65% of registered voters in the US also think global heating is driving up the cost of living, according to a report published in December by Yale University and George Mason University. Red States Lead Clean Energy Buildout In contrast to many Democratic-led jurisdictions, red states have tended to dominate renewable energy deployment in recent years. In terms of growth of utility-scale renewables, states that voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election made up eight of the top 10 in the year to March, according to Energy Information Administration data. Indiana tops the list of states with the most clean energy capacity growth in that timeframe, followed by Kentucky and Utah. More broadly, though, it is Texas that has emerged as the country's leading clean energy superpower, despite its strong ties to the oil and gas industry and unsuccessful attempts within the Republican-led legislature to curb the growth of wind and solar. Texas leads the country in wind energy production, followed by fellow red states Iowa, Oklahoma and Kansas, and in March overtook California in utility-scale solar, too. The Paradox of Climate Leadership Meanwhile, the states scaling back their emissions-cutting policies have long called themselves climate leaders. When Governor Gavin Newsom of California extended his state's cap-and-invest program last year, he said: "We're doubling down on our best tool to combat Trump's assaults on clean air … by making polluters pay for projects that support our most impacted communities." The changes could end up giving more money to the fossil fuel producers and distributors who have been increasing consumers' energy prices amid the Iran war, said Bahram Fazeli, Policy Director with Communities for a Better Environment, a grassroots organization in California. "There's no reason to think that giving them more free allowances will actually help motivate them to lower gas prices more," he said. Long-Term Economic Implications New York advocates are also skeptical about whether the weakening of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act – which the state touted as among the strongest climate laws the country – will deliver long-term benefits. The state legislature last week reached a deal with Governor Kathy Hochul to remove a 2030 mandate to cut planet-warming pollution by 40% from 1990 levels, instead including language to aim for a 60% by 2040 if it is "feasible and cost effective" to do so. "Even though you might see bill savings initially, that's going to come at the cost of locked-in, higher energy costs in the future, as the grid has to procure more energy that would otherwise have been saved," Anna Johnson, a senior policy manager State at American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, told Baltimore's NPR affiliate WYPR; she estimates that the moves could ultimately increase households' electricity costs by $592m. The True Cost of Inaction The climate crisis itself also costs for working people, said Mar Zepeda Salazar, legislative director of the national environmental justice coalition Climate Justice Alliance. "You can lower costs on paper by weakening protections, but the bill still comes due," she said. "It just shows up in emergency rooms, insurance premiums, utility bills, lost wages, and disaster recovery – that families pay, not industry."