US officials have confirmed that Israel has carried out airstrikes against Iran, with explosions being reported in the sky over the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz. Initial reports suggested at least three explosions occurred above the central city of Isfahan, which hosts facilities for the country’s nuclear programme, weapons factories and a large airbase. The US told the G7 foreign ministers on Friday that it received “last minute” information from Israel about a drone action in Iran. Iranian officials have referred to the incident as an attack by “infiltrators”, rather than by Israel. The government also sought to play down the scale of the attack, with a senior commander in Iran’s army saying there was no damage in Isfahan, according to state TV. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the government has no plans for any immediate retaliation against Israel. Follow the latest on this story via the link in bio.

Imagine if we could replace the plastic packaging we see in shops and that’s delivered to our homes, with a sustainable, compostable alternative? Couple Julia Marsh and Matt Mayes founded @Sway to try and do just that, using seaweed. “Plastic comes from petroleum, so everyday when you open up your snack wrapper or you receive your Amazon order, it’s coming packaged in plastic which comes from fossil fuels,” says Marsh. Using lots of different types of farmed seaweed, Sway have created a plastic pellet which is designed to fit into current manufacturing systems where plastic is used. They have also developed a clear plastic film which can be used to replace very common parts of packaging that are the least likely to be recycled. “It’s not hard for brands to switch to our material because it works in the systems they already use,” says Marsh. Marsh, who is a designer by trade, says she spent years designing packaging and making “beautiful trash”, something which didn’t match up with her love of the ocean. She looked at many of the existing plastic alternatives, and saw shortcomings which hindered them from working in the mainstream. “I think replacements for plastic should go even further, I think they should do good,” she says. Here, Marsh explains exactly how they make seaweed plastic, how this plastic replacement can benefit the oceans and environment, and if you can eat it. #sustainablity #plastic #pollution #climatesolutions #climatecrisis

Authorities in Indonesia have issued a tsunami alert after Mount Ruang erupted five times in two days, spewing a column of smoke more than 2km into the sky. Officials worry that part of the stratovolcano in the province of North Sulawesi could collapse into the sea and cause a tsunami, as happened in 1871. Authorities have been rushing to evacuate 11,000 residents from nearby areas, including the remote island of Tagulandang, home to about 20,000 people. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur frequently in Indonesia due to its position on the Pacific’s Ring of Fire – an arc where tectonic plates collide – which stretches from Japan through south-east Asia and across the Pacific basin. #indonesia #volcano #eruption

“I just want to go home,” is what one passenger said whilst stuck in Dubai international airport after deadly storms hit the United Arab Emirates. Up to 259.5mm (10.2in) of rain fell on the usually arid country of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, the most since records began 75 years ago, killing at least 19 people. The rains began on Monday night, and by Tuesday evening the desert city of Dubai had received the average amount of rain it normally gets in a year. Passengers crowded around airline desks at Dubai international airport on Wednesday after major delays and cancellations caused by heavy rains. Although the heavy rains had eased by late Tuesday, disruption was continuing on Wednesday, with Emirates airline suspending check-in for passengers departing from Dubai until midnight. #UAE #Dubai #Flood #Flights #Weather

Global heating has pushed the world’s coral reefs to a fourth planet-wide mass bleaching event that is on track to be the most extensive on record, US government scientists have confirmed. Some 54% of ocean waters containing coral reefs have experienced heat stress high enough to cause bleaching, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Watch said. Coral reefs are rich in biodiversity and provide habitat to a quarter of all marine species while covering less than 1% of ocean area. Reefs provide food and tourism income to millions of people and protect coastlines, but are considered to be one of the most vulnerable ecosystems to global heating. Scientists are trying to save the world’s coral and a recent study found that underwater speakers that broadcast the hustle and bustle of thriving coral could bring life back to more damaged and degraded reefs that are in danger of becoming ocean graveyards. @Neelam Tailor explains how this works. #coral #coralreefs #globalheating #climatecrisis #climatesolutions