The Kuroshio, or "Black Current," is one of the largest streams of water anywhere in the world, and its recent movement has triggered record-warm ocean temperatures and upended fisheries, an indelible staple of Japanese culture.
Scientists say the warm waters have even amplified heatwaves on land and driven extreme rainfall.
And while there are signs some of the changes are now waning, fishing communities say they aren't yet back to normal.
Meanwhile, scientists worry it could be a sign of more volatility to come.
The position of the current could keep fluctuating, said Bo Qiu, a leading Kuroshio expert at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. "It's hard to predict the future, but given the data we have so far, I can only see the intensity becoming larger and larger," he said.
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📸 : The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
A severe UK cold spell has provided a live test for low carbon heating technologies, demonstrating that well‑installed heat pumps can outperform gas boilers even under high demand. Findings from thousands of homes reinforce the potential for sustainable construction and eco‑friendly construction as the industry accelerates towards net zero carbon buildings. The data strengthens confidence in low carbon design, showing that performance hinges on sustainable building design, robust fabric efficiency and competent commissioning—core principles of green construction and life cycle thinking in construction.
The energy market is rapidly aligning with this transition. Hourly carbon‑free electricity tariffs are enabling property owners to verify supply with net zero Whole Life Carbon performance, supporting Whole Life Carbon Assessment as a standard procurement metric. This shift offers developers and end users both measurable carbon footprint reduction and fiscal gains through demand flexibility, reinforcing the case for decarbonising the built environment. Integrating smart controls, submetering and dynamic tariffs in building services now links operational energy performance directly to whole life carbon outcomes and long‑term Life Cycle Cost savings.
For architects, contractors and housing providers, the priority lies in specifying low embodied carbon materials, optimising embodied carbon in materials, and applying lifecycle assessment across all stages of design and delivery. Adoption of recognised frameworks such as BREEAM and BREEAM v7 will support certification credibility and demonstrate environmental sustainability in construction. The convergence of digital design, Circular Economy in construction, and circular construction strategies is positioning the sector towards demonstrably carbon neutral construction. Competitive advantage now depends on embedding sustainable building practices, data‑driven building lifecycle performance, and verified environmental product declarations (EPDs) into every project.
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